Supernatural fiction
Encyclopedia
Supernatural fiction is a literary genre
exploiting or requiring as plot devices or themes some contradictions of the commonplace natural world
and materialist assumptions about it.
In its broadest definition, supernatural fiction includes examples of weird fiction
, horror fiction
, fantasy fiction, and such sub-genres as vampire literature and the ghost story
. Elements of supernatural fiction can be found in writing from genres such as science fiction
. Amongst academics, readers and collectors, however, supernatural fiction is often classed as a discrete genre defined by the elimination of "horror", "fantasy" and elements important to other genres. The one genre supernatural fiction appears to embrace in its entirety is the traditional ghost story
.
In the twentieth century, supernatural fiction became associated with psychological fiction. The result is that the supernatural is only one possible explanation for what has been described. A classic example of this would be The Turn of the Screw
by Henry James
, which offers both a supernatural and a psychological interpretation of the events described. The ambiguity is considered to add to the effect.. A similar example is Charlotte Perkins Gilman
's story "The Yellow Wallpaper".
Supernatural fiction continues to be popular, but because it is not simple to define and is not popularly understood, it is not as a marketing category by publishers, booksellers, libraries etc. When marketed, supernatural fiction is often classed as mainstream fiction, or is assumed by other subgenres.
Literary genre
A literary genre is a category of literary composition. Genres may be determined by literary technique, tone, content, or even length. Genre should not be confused with age category, by which literature may be classified as either adult, young-adult, or children's. They also must not be confused...
exploiting or requiring as plot devices or themes some contradictions of the commonplace natural world
Natural World
Natural World is the longest-running nature documentary series on British television. 2008 marked the series' 25th anniversary under its present title, though its origins can be traced back to its predecessor The World About Us which began over 40 years ago...
and materialist assumptions about it.
In its broadest definition, supernatural fiction includes examples of weird fiction
Weird fiction
Weird fiction is a subgenre of speculative fiction written in the late 19th and early 20th century. It can be said to encompass the ghost story and other tales of the macabre. Weird fiction is distinguished from horror and fantasy in that it predates the niche marketing of genre fiction...
, horror fiction
Horror fiction
Horror fiction also Horror fantasy is a philosophy of literature, which is intended to, or has the capacity to frighten its readers, inducing feelings of horror and terror. It creates an eerie atmosphere. Horror can be either supernatural or non-supernatural...
, fantasy fiction, and such sub-genres as vampire literature and the ghost story
Ghost story
A ghost story may be any piece of fiction, or drama, or an account of an experience, that includes a ghost, or simply takes as a premise the possibility of ghosts or characters' belief in them. Colloquially, the term can refer to any kind of scary story. In a narrower sense, the ghost story has...
. Elements of supernatural fiction can be found in writing from genres such as science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
. Amongst academics, readers and collectors, however, supernatural fiction is often classed as a discrete genre defined by the elimination of "horror", "fantasy" and elements important to other genres. The one genre supernatural fiction appears to embrace in its entirety is the traditional ghost story
Ghost story
A ghost story may be any piece of fiction, or drama, or an account of an experience, that includes a ghost, or simply takes as a premise the possibility of ghosts or characters' belief in them. Colloquially, the term can refer to any kind of scary story. In a narrower sense, the ghost story has...
.
In the twentieth century, supernatural fiction became associated with psychological fiction. The result is that the supernatural is only one possible explanation for what has been described. A classic example of this would be The Turn of the Screw
The Turn of the Screw
The Turn of the Screw is a novella written by Henry James. Originally published in 1898, it is ostensibly a ghost story.Due to its ambiguous content, it became a favourite text of academics who subscribe to New Criticism. The novella has had differing interpretations, often mutually exclusive...
by Henry James
Henry James
Henry James, OM was an American-born writer, regarded as one of the key figures of 19th-century literary realism. He was the son of Henry James, Sr., a clergyman, and the brother of philosopher and psychologist William James and diarist Alice James....
, which offers both a supernatural and a psychological interpretation of the events described. The ambiguity is considered to add to the effect.. A similar example is Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Charlotte Perkins Gilman was a prominent American sociologist, novelist, writer of short stories, poetry, and nonfiction, and a lecturer for social reform...
's story "The Yellow Wallpaper".
Supernatural fiction continues to be popular, but because it is not simple to define and is not popularly understood, it is not as a marketing category by publishers, booksellers, libraries etc. When marketed, supernatural fiction is often classed as mainstream fiction, or is assumed by other subgenres.
Further reading
- The Supernatural in Fiction by Peter PenzoldtPeter PenzoldtPeter Penzoldt was the author of The Supernatural in Fiction , a major critical study of the weird tale....
, 1952 - Shadows in the Attic: A Guide to British Supernatural Fiction 1820-1950 by Neil Wilson, The British Library, 2000
- The Guide to Supernatural Fiction by Everett F. Bleiler, Kent State University Press, 1983
- The Supernatural and English Fiction by Glen CavalieroGlen CavalieroGlen Cavaliero is an English poet and critic. He was a staff member at Lincoln Theological College 1956-61 and is currently a member of the Faculty of English at Cambridge University...
, Oxford, 1995