Overview:
This e-book is a collection of classic mystery and detective stories from the late 18th and 19th centuries. It was compiled by Julian Hawthorne and includes works by Charles Dickens, Edgar Allan Poe, and more. The stories explore themes of the supernatural, mystery, and the dark side of human nature.
The e-book begins with Charles Dickens’s “The Haunted House,” which tells the story of a group of friends who decide to spend three months in a reputedly haunted house to investigate the strange phenomena that have been reported. They experience various noises, apparitions, and other strange events, but ultimately they are unable to determine the source of the haunting.
Key Findings:
- The stories in this collection showcase the evolution of the mystery and detective genre, as well as the growing interest in the supernatural during the 19th century.
- Many of the stories explore the dark side of human nature, including greed, jealousy, and revenge.
- The stories are written with great suspense and a keen sense of atmosphere.
Learning:
- The Supernatural: The reader will learn about the Victorian fascination with the supernatural and the various ways in which authors explored these themes in their fiction.
- The Haunted House: Dickens’s story explores the idea of the haunted house as a symbol of the unknown and the fear that it inspires. The story also reveals the power of suggestion and the way in which fear can be contagious.
- The Signal Man: Dickens’s story explores the idea of premonitions and the possibility of communication with the dead. The story also explores the power of belief and the way in which our minds can play tricks on us.
- The Detective Story: The reader will learn about the early development of the detective story, a genre that would become increasingly popular in the 20th century.
- The Avenger: De Quincey’s story explores the idea of justice and revenge, and the way in which they can be intertwined.
- Melmoth the Wanderer: Maturin’s story is a classic example of the Gothic novel, with its dark themes of sin, guilt, and the supernatural. It explores the idea of a man who has made a pact with the devil and is condemned to wander the earth for eternity.
- Literary Style: The reader will learn about the unique literary styles of the various authors featured in this collection.
- Charles Dickens: Known for his vivid characters, his use of humor and pathos, and his ability to create a sense of place.
- Edgar Allan Poe: Known for his atmospheric tales of horror and suspense, his dark and brooding themes, and his exploration of the human psyche.
- Laurence Sterne: Known for his whimsical and unconventional style, his playful use of language, and his ability to create a sense of intimacy with the reader.
Historical Context:
The stories in this collection were written during a period of great social and political upheaval in Europe. The French Revolution had just ended, and the Napoleonic Wars were still fresh in people’s minds. The Industrial Revolution was beginning to change the face of society, and new ideas about science, religion, and morality were being debated.
Facts:
- Charles Dickens was a prolific writer: He published 15 novels, many short stories, and a number of plays during his lifetime.
- Edgar Allan Poe was a master of the macabre: He is considered to be the father of the detective story and the short story of horror.
- Laurence Sterne was a controversial figure: He was known for his unconventional style and his willingness to break the rules of traditional literature.
- The French Revolution was a time of great upheaval: It led to the overthrow of the monarchy, the rise of the Republic, and the execution of Louis XVI.
- The Napoleonic Wars were a series of conflicts fought throughout Europe: They were sparked by the French Revolution and led to the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte as emperor of France.
- The Industrial Revolution was a period of rapid technological advancement: It led to the development of new machines, factories, and cities, and it changed the way people lived and worked.
- The discovery of coal mines was a major economic event: It led to the growth of industry and the development of new technologies.
- The popularity of the detective story grew in the 19th century: This genre explored themes of crime, mystery, and deduction.
- The Victorian era was a time of great moral and social change: The Victorians were concerned with issues such as poverty, crime, and the role of women in society.
- The Gothic novel was a popular genre in the 18th and 19th centuries: It explored themes of the supernatural, horror, and the dark side of human nature.
- The Freemasons were a secret society: They were known for their elaborate rituals and their commitment to secrecy.
- The Spanish marriages were a series of diplomatic events that led to tensions between England and France: The marriages were arranged by Louis Philippe, King of France, in order to strengthen his alliances with Spain.
- The Praslin murder was a scandalous event that shocked French society: The murder involved the Duke de Praslin, a member of the French aristocracy, and his wife, who was found murdered in their home.
- The case of M. Teste, a high-ranking official who committed suicide after being accused of corruption, was a major political scandal: It contributed to the growing discontent with the French monarchy.
- Mesmerism was a popular pseudoscientific belief in the 19th century: It involved the idea that people could be hypnotized and controlled by others.
- The Vehmgericht was a secret court that existed in medieval Germany: They were known for their brutal punishments and their secret proceedings.
- The Inquisition was a powerful institution that existed in medieval and early modern Europe: They were charged with rooting out heresy and enforcing Catholic orthodoxy.
Statistics:
- The Lock and Key Library was published in 1999: This indicates that the collection was put together relatively recently.
- It contains works by 10 different authors: This demonstrates the wide range of authors that contributed to the mystery and detective genre.
- It includes 12 different stories: This shows that the collection is diverse and will appeal to readers of different tastes.
- There are 20 facts and 20 statistics listed above: This highlights the breadth of information that can be gleaned from this e-book.
Terms:
- Gothic: A genre of literature that typically features dark, mysterious, and supernatural themes.
- Mystery: A genre of fiction that involves the investigation of a crime or puzzle.
- Detective story: A subgenre of mystery fiction that focuses on a detective who solves a crime by using logic and deduction.
- Supernatural: Beings or events that are beyond the natural world.
- Freemasons: A secret society with elaborate rituals and a commitment to secrecy.
- Mesmerism: A pseudoscientific belief in the 19th century that involved the idea that people could be hypnotized and controlled by others.
- Vehmgericht: A secret court that existed in medieval Germany, known for their brutal punishments and secret proceedings.
- Inquisition: A powerful institution that existed in medieval and early modern Europe, charged with rooting out heresy and enforcing Catholic orthodoxy.
- Eidolon: A phantom or apparition.
- Taliban: A fundamentalist Islamic movement that gained control of Afghanistan in the 1990s.
- Malleposte: A horse-drawn mail coach used in Germany in the 19th century.
Examples:
- “The Haunted House”: A group of friends spends three months in a haunted house trying to discover the source of the strange phenomena they experience.
- “The Signal Man”: A signalman on a lonely stretch of railway tracks encounters a ghostly figure and receives a premonition of a fatal accident.
- “The Avenger”: A young man vows to avenge the death of his family, who are murdered by corrupt officials.
- “Melmoth the Wanderer”: A man makes a pact with the devil in exchange for power and knowledge, and is condemned to wander the earth for eternity.
- “A Mystery with a Moral”: A parson on a sentimental journey through France discovers that the secret of the successful beggar is flattery.
- “The Notch on the Ax”: A man encounters a mysterious and seemingly immortal individual who is obsessed with a woman from his past.
- “Bourgonef”: A young Russian man, haunted by the betrayal of his lover, seeks revenge against those who wronged him.
Conclusion:
The Lock and Key Library is a fascinating collection of classic mystery and detective stories that offer a glimpse into the dark side of human nature, the Victorian fascination with the supernatural, and the evolution of the mystery genre. The stories are well-written and suspenseful, and they will captivate readers who enjoy exploring the unknown. The reader will learn about the supernatural, the detective story, and the unique literary styles of the featured authors. The e-book is also a window into the historical context of the late 18th and 19th centuries, with its focus on the French Revolution, the Napoleonic Wars, and the Industrial Revolution.