In the realm of horror tales, transformation is a key element—from the uncanny evolution of characters to the eerie shift in reality. When I was younger, my father would sit me down with him to watch horror films. This experience initially led me to develop a strong aversion to scary stories and movies. However, it is interesting to note that as I have grown older, I have developed an unusual attraction towards the horror genre. The poem “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe, the short story “House Taken Over” by Julio Cortazar, and the novel “The Invisible Man” by H.G. Wells all demonstrate the crucial role that transformation plays in the world of horror stories.

In Gothic Literature, physical transformations blur the lines between the ordinary and the extraordinary. The novel “The Invisible Man” by H.G. Wells demonstrates a transformation in the physical appearance of the main character, Griffin. He was a normal person until he turned himself invisible. This type of supernatural change can be frightening, and the reader’s fear could be enhanced by the characters’ fears. When Cuss exclaims, “No hands—just an empty sleeve. Lord! I thought that’s a deformity” (p.25), it makes readers feel apprehensive as an ordinary character feels distressed about Griffin’s appearance as well. This type of transformation shows readers a contradictory side of being human and reveals the consequences of defying the laws of nature.

Physical changes make horror stories unsettling, yet alterations in a character’s mindset and psyche can be much more disturbing. The mental transformation of a character could affect readers psychologically, usually evoking fear and uncertainty. This is a result of the readers watching the characters losing touch with reality and living in an alternate dimension. In the poem “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe, the narrator descends into madness due to the raven repeatedly saying the word “Nevermore,” which brings back the feeling of grief that the narrator is experiencing over the loss of Lenore. Through psychological transformations like this, the human brain is manipulated into fearing what is not certain.

Another unnerving type of transformation is one that leaves the characters isolated and helpless. Environmental transformations leave readers with a feeling of unfamiliarity and danger. In the short story “House Taken Over” by Julio Cortazar, the siblings are forced to leave their home as an unknown entity takes over the house, “They’ve taken over our section” (p.41). The loss of control and the feeling of abandonment affect the characters’ mentality as well. Environmental change could symbolize the psychological transformation the character is experiencing, therefore it acts as a mirror, reflecting the character’s inner struggles onto the environment. Environmental change plays many roles in scary stories, whether it’s carrying symbolism, motivating fear, or helping with character development.

In conclusion, the many different roles transformation plays in scary stories demonstrate the strength of Gothic Literature. The works of Edgar Allan Poe, Julio Cortazar, and H. G. Wells all assist in giving the readers different perspectives on the role of transformation. Physical, mental, and environmental transformations all affect the power of the impact of Gothic Literature.

-Lisa Shafaqoj