What are some of the best classic short ghost stories?

Some excellent classic ghost stories include 'The Canterville Ghost' by Oscar Wilde. It has a humorous take on a ghost trying to haunt a family. 'Ghost - Ship' is also a good one, with its tales of a haunted ship at sea. And 'The Mezzotint' by M. R. James, which often features in collections of the best classic ghost stories as it has a very spooky and mysterious plot.

One of the best is 'The Turn of the Screw' by Henry James. It has a very eerie atmosphere with its ambiguous ghosts and the psychological state of the governess. Another great one is 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' by Washington Irving. The spooky setting of Sleepy Hollow and the Headless Horseman create a truly atmospheric ghost story. And 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker also belongs to this category. The Transylvanian setting and the vampire's presence add to the chilling atmosphere.

Well, 'The Cask of Amontillado' by Edgar Allan Poe is among the best. It's a dark and suspenseful tale of revenge. Then there's 'The Lady, or the Tiger?' by Frank R. Stockton. This story leaves the ending up to the reader's interpretation, which is really interesting. Also, 'To Build a Fire' by Jack London is a great classic short story that shows the power of nature and man's struggle against it.

One of the well - known collections is 'Ghost Stories of an Antiquary' by M. R. James. It's full of classic and chilling short ghost stories. Another great one is 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson, which contains some truly terrifying short - form tales within it.

Well, 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens has some ghostly elements. Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. These ghosts show him different aspects of his life and the lives of others, and ultimately lead him to change his miserly ways. It's a story that not only has a supernatural aspect but also a strong moral message.

One of the well - known classic detective short stories is 'The Murders in the Rue Morgue' by Edgar Allan Poe. It is considered a pioneer in the detective fiction genre.

A very good one is 'The Decameron' by Giovanni Boccaccio. It's set during the Black Death and has a group of ten young people telling stories to pass the time, which include a wide variety of themes from love to morality. 'Rip Van Winkle' and other stories by Washington Irving are also among the best. Irving's stories are known for their charm and their exploration of American folklore. And we can't forget 'The Jungle Book' by Rudyard Kipling, which contains short stories that are both entertaining and full of moral lessons about life in the jungle.

One of the best is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. It's a chilling tale of a man's descent into madness as he is haunted by the sound of his victim's heart. Another great one is 'The Monkey's Paw' by W. W. Jacobs, which shows the consequences of interfering with fate through a cursed monkey's paw. 'Carmilla' by Sheridan Le Fanu is also notable, as it's an early example of vampire fiction.

Well, one characteristic is that they can play on our fears. They might involve things like ghosts, witches, or other supernatural entities. They also tend to be set in isolated or eerie locations, such as a deserted cemetery or an old, abandoned mansion. In addition, classic short ghost stories often rely on a sense of mystery. The reader is left wondering what exactly is going on until the end when all is revealed. They may also use elements of foreshadowing to build up the anticipation. For instance, a character might notice a strange symbol early on, and later it turns out to be related to the ghostly events. This keeps the reader engaged and on the edge of their seat.

There are many great classic short stories. For instance, 'A Good Man Is Hard to Find' by Flannery O'Connor. This story is deep and complex, exploring themes of morality and grace. Another one is 'An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge' by Ambrose Bierce. It's a story with a great twist at the end, blurring the lines between reality and illusion. Also, 'The Necklace' by Guy de Maupassant is a classic that shows the consequences of vanity.