The The Body Snatchers By Robert Louis Essay Example

their everlasting presence. During the late 18th and early 19th centuries, medicine made notable progress. Nonetheless, medical students necessitated corpses for educational purposes.

Commonly, the remains of executed offenders were utilized for this intention, nonetheless, the quantity of resources was always insufficient and the craving for corpses was great. The "resurrectionists" devised a means to earn income by exhuming newly dead corpses and vendoring them to educational facilities. This elevated the rate of cadavers for medicinal purposes, yet in 1832 the Autonomy act was approved, which implied that destitute individuals who perished in the workhouses and whose corporeal remains were disregarded could also be employed for medicinal purposes.

Before the passage of this act, those with financial means would either line their coffins with two or three layers or use peculiar mechanisms to prevent the removal of the lid. The 19th century witnessed a rise in mortality rates, resulting in limited space for burial grounds, notably in urban centers. Consequently, church yards became overcrowded, leading to the construction of private walled cemeteries for family and friends. Additionally, the Victorians exhibited a keen fascination with paranormal phenomena.

During the heyday of seances, mediums utilized more and more audacious methods to amaze and bewilder their patrons. Despite the advancement of scientific experimentation and analysis during the Victorian era, allegations of sorcery were still commonplace and taken very earnestly. As we acquire greater proficiency in comprehending the physical and tangible aspects of our world, the supernatural - which is inexplicable - becomes even more enigmatic. W.W. Jacobs' The Monkeys Paw, one of the Gothic stories I am currently analyzing, exhibits elements that are characteristic of this genre.

"The Monkey's Paw" is

regarded as a horror fiction classic and is W. W. Jacobs' most renowned tale. The story commences with the White family gathered around the fireplace, enjoying each other's company. Furthermore, an elderly acquaintance of Mr. White joins them.

During their visit at home, Sergeant-Major Morris, who had been away for over 20 years in India, regales his hosts with fascinating tales of life abroad. Along with these stories, he sells Mr. White a monkey's paw that had been mummified and supposedly has a holy-man's spell that gives its possessor three wishes.

In his warning, Morris advises the Whites against making any wishes, however, they ignore this advice and suffer disastrous consequences. Through the use of foreshadowing, imagery and symbolism, Jacobs delves into the effects of tempting fate. He creates a suspenseful atmosphere by meticulously establishing the setting while his trademark use of slang and dialogue instills an authentic feeling in the characters. The Gothic genre is evident in the story's weather conditions as it is set during a stormy period with strong winds - "THE NIGHT was cold and wet" - intensifying the ominous atmosphere.

The story is set in a remote and isolated house in the middle of nowhere. The weather and setting of the story are described in detail, with the wind howling and the dark of the night adding to the ominous atmosphere. The introduction of the man at the door creates a sense of mystery, quickly overshadowed by the introduction of the Monkeys Paw, leaving readers to question its significance and potential consequences. The element of suspense commonly found in gothic writing is alive and well, as readers are left to wonder about the

possible outcomes of using the paw. The sergeant major's warning about potential consequences confirms that the monkey's paw carries bad luck, leading readers to further ponder about what these implications might be.

The story features gory consequences tied to elements of the Gothic genre, which Jacobs effectively incorporates. Similarly, The Body Snatchers and The Signal Man also highlight the Gothic genre and provide insight into Victorian practices surrounding death. Robert Louis Stevenson's The Body Snatchers is set during the Victorian era and centers around body snatching for medical research. The story begins with a cozy scene of four men having a drink, seemingly nothing out of the ordinary. However, this slowly builds into a sense of suspense and mystery.

The story's characters, particularly Fettes, are given in-depth introductions, suggesting his importance. His detailed depiction reveals him to be a well-known figure in the village and pub, yet his character and past remain ambiguous to many, evoking suspicion. Despite people's familiarity with Fettes, little is known about his history beyond sporadic facts, such as his medical knowledge. However, his drinking, vices, and infidelities paint him as an untrustworthy individual, and the vagueness of his "special knowledge" raises concerns about potential danger.

The story's characters have an unusual familiarity with each other, as evidenced by their drinking habits and methods. The pub's routine is a daily cycle, making the initial paragraph feel ordinary yet foreboding. The second paragraph begins with an ominous statement: "One dark winter night..."

The setting creates a familiar Gothic atmosphere, with cold, lonely winter nights that are dark and scary, which builds up tension and prepares us for the upcoming story that will

be full of irregularities while breaking the usual routine. The phrase " it was the first time ... " implies that something extraordinary is going to happen, and even though we do not know precisely what it is yet, we are certain that the men in the pub are unsure of a particular character named the "sick man in the George." However, Fettes abruptly wakes up after hearing the man's name mentioned while drunk.

The connection between Fettes and the man is shown through Fettes' panic and recognition of the name. The other characters and the reader are unaware of why this is significant, but it indicates that Fettes will be an important character. Fettes' shock and sudden movements suggest that the name triggered some sort of memory or feeling in him, which is unusual for him to pay so much attention. The change in Fettes is described as "as if a man had risen from the dead," linking to the title and introducing death and fear. Additionally, Fettes' desire to meet him shows that there is more than just a professional connection as they are both doctors. This suggests that the Doctor has an unknown past, highlighting the many things we don't know about Fettes.

Fettes is familiar with the doctor and knows that he is older than himself, but has led a virtuous life. Fettes, on the other hand, has led a life of sin, which causes suspicion among the characters and readers. The unknown history of Fettes and his relationship with the doctor piques the interest of the reader. The Signal Man's beginning shares similarities with the Body Snatchers in terms

of superstition surrounding a specific character, in this case, the signal man. The story commences pleasurably with no spooky or unusual occurrences except for its remote location. While there are hints of gothic genre, they are minimal.

The signal man's behavior when politely questioned is somewhat baffling. Upon the narrator's call from above, the signal man directs his gaze away from the source of the shout instead of looking upwards.

The behavior of the signalman in "looking down the line" suggests that he is anticipating a call similar to that of the narrator's from the direction of the tunnel down the line. This curious behavior piques the reader's interest and motivates them to continue reading to uncover the reason behind it. The story may be focused on trains and their interactions with the signalman, as evidenced by the detailed description of a passing train. Additionally, when the narrator approaches the signalman, he characterizes the movement as "unusually precipitate."

The atmosphere is filled with superstition as the clammy stone becomes oozier and wetter with every step down a path that was unexpected. The setting raises curiosity as to why the signal man acts so oddly in front of the narrator and why he seems so scared of the narrator. Has he had a similar experience before? The narrator of "The Body Snatchers" is familiar with everyone in the story except for Dr. MacFarlane, as he frequents the pub.

It is likely that the narrator of the story is an old man who is also a character within the story and has been drinking. This could potentially cause the story being told to be exaggerated or less

truthful. Although the narrator looks up to Fettes, he is very curious and skilled at obtaining information. He seems to have an interest in Fettes' past and attempts to recount it himself. Despite not interacting with other characters much, the story being told is influenced by the narrator's perspective, which may not be clear due to lack of information on his background.

The protagonist in The Signal man is characterized as having an overactive imagination, assumed to be male. Although well-educated, he draws conclusions based on his character judgments. The story builds suspense until the last word, but the protagonist's motivation for investigating the signal man remains enigmatic. He shows particular curiosity about the signal man's life story and seems to have an otherworldly connection with him, even sensing when a train is approaching. The narrator's background is unclear, except that he has studied medicine and is highly educated.

The audience perceives him as enigmatic, while the characters in the Body Snatchers have a degree of mystery surrounding them. Little is revealed about their backgrounds and trustworthiness. Among all the characters, Fettes stands out as particularly mysterious. We learn very little about his character, leaving us unsure about whether we can trust him or not.

Although the narrator reveals that the character known as Doctor in Debenham has specialized knowledge in medicine and is recognized for his heavy drinking habits in the local pub, we are not provided with any additional background information about him. Despite being aware of these details, the narrator emphasizes the character's enigmatic nature, stating that "beyond these slight particulars we had no knowledge of his character and antecedents." The presence of Doctor Wolfe

Macfarlane only adds to the mystery surrounding this fascinating figure, leading the reader to suspect that there is much more to him than meets the eye.

Despite assumptions of him being a good Christian, Fettes is portrayed as a mysterious character who possesses a deep secret that is likely sinful. This is evident when he denies being a decent Christian, leaving readers to question what is hidden behind his facade. Although Fettes appears emotionally detached in the initial paragraphs, he becomes shaken upon hearing Macfarlane's name, suggesting that he may have something to hide. Furthermore, Fettes displays emotions of worry and anxiety when unable to consume his usual five glasses of rum. Surprisingly, Fettes is less evil than Macfarlane and feels remorseful about the killings conducted for their bodies, ultimately experiencing feelings of guilt and fear.

Upon seeing the dead body of someone he knew, Fettes displays feelings of horror and panic, demonstrating his capacity for emotions and expression. As the narrator begins to evoke sympathy for Fettes, it becomes clear that he is a more respectable person than initially assumed. The narrator highlights how Fettes was unaware of his actions and was shocked when he discovered what was happening. Additionally, Fettes takes offense when offered money by Wolfe, revealing his proud nature and his dislike for Wolfe. Through Fettes' reactions to the events that occur, readers come to trust him as a good and trustworthy person. Meanwhile, the undertaker remains a mysterious character with little information provided throughout the story.

The undertaker's shock and surprise is evident when he asks Fettes if he knows the doctor, as he gasps inquiringly. This display of emotion highlights his

curiosity about the connection between Fettes and the doctor. However, as the undertaker's background is unknown, his trustworthiness cannot be fully guaranteed. Similarly, Macfarlane remains a mysterious character with little information reveal about his past, making him appear untrustworthy. His physical appearance, described as bald, dirty, and pimpled wearing an old cloak, suggests he is a peculiar and potentially threatening individual to other characters in the story.

Within the gothic genre, the characteristics of an evil character are portrayed by Dr MacFarlane, prompting readers to view him as a threat and to anticipate a spooky atmosphere. The suggestion being that Fettes' secrets will soon be revealed and that the mysteries surrounding the characters will no longer remain unknown. Fettes' initial reaction to Dr MacFarlane upon his entrance to the pub causes readers to distrust him and heightens the sense of mystery surrounding his presence. As Fettes is the only person in the George who recognizes Dr MacFarlane's name, it is likely that he has some connection to Fettes. The doctor displays strong emotions and acts in a strange manner upon seeing Fettes.

"I am thrilled to have this opportunity," he said in a whisper while constantly glancing over his shoulder, giving the impression that he is trying to conceal his identity and avoid being seen by someone. However, upon seeing Fettes, he also appeared pleased.

Fettes' refusal of the offered money elicited an angry and displeased reaction from the offended individual, as evidenced by the manifestation of a repulsive and unsightly facial expression.

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This indicates that he was insulted and gave Fettes a disapproving glance, but eventually moved on and attempted to make amends while still

offering to give Fettes money. "I will give you my address, though..." Did he say this in case Fettes required financial assistance later, leaving the offer open?

The narrator's description of Macfarlane implies that he is an evil troublemaker, evidenced by his "sneering and growling." Additionally, Fetters' warning that "that man Macfarlane is not safe to cross..." paints him as dangerous and untrustworthy. Gray, the stranger who is one of Macfarlane's friends, is mysterious and described as "course, vulgar and stupid." The narrator's influence on the audience's perception of Gray makes him seem untrustworthy and loathsome. Gray's behavior towards Wolfe, which the narrator characterizes as bossy and nasty, provokes Wolfe to become more angry and threatening. Overall, the narrator's descriptions of these characters create a negative image of them in the minds of readers.

The Signal Man features two primary characters: the signal man and the narrator. Both individuals are central to the plot and possess notable traits that warrant examination.