Overview:
“Widdershins” is a chilling tale of a man named Paul Oleron who finds himself drawn to a mysterious old house. The house, characterized by its dilapidated state and eerie silence, holds secrets that begin to unravel Oleron’s sanity. Oleron becomes obsessed with uncovering the secrets of the house, attributing strange occurrences to a ghostly presence and a haunting woman. He experiences unsettling events such as a nail that seems to reappear after he removes it, a broken stair that collapses beneath Elsie’s weight, and the distinct sound of a woman brushing her hair in the darkness. As his obsession grows, Oleron becomes increasingly isolated and withdrawn, eventually succumbing to the house’s dark influence.
The story delves into the psychological complexities of obsession and the dangers of ignoring the warning signs of encroaching madness. Oleron’s fear and fascination with the house consume him, leading him down a path of paranoia and delusion. While the source of the supernatural phenomena remains ambiguous, the story ultimately focuses on the destructive power of Oleron’s own internal anxieties and the unsettling impact of the house on his mental state.
Key Findings:
- The power of suggestion and the fragility of sanity: Oleron’s conviction that the house is haunted and his preoccupation with the ghostly occurrences ultimately contribute to his descent into madness.
- The destructive nature of obsession: Oleron’s obsession with the house blinds him to the realities of his situation and consumes his life, leading to his isolation and eventual demise.
- The influence of the past on the present: The old house, with its history and secrets, exerts a powerful influence on Oleron, both physically and psychologically.
- The ambiguity of the supernatural: The story leaves the source of the supernatural phenomena open to interpretation, leaving the reader to grapple with the possibility of real ghosts or the manifestation of Oleron’s own internal struggles.
Learning:
- The dangers of neglecting mental health: Oleron’s disregard for his mental wellbeing and his unwillingness to seek help contribute significantly to his downfall.
- The impact of environment on mental state: The oppressive atmosphere of the old house and its unsettling occurrences play a crucial role in exacerbating Oleron’s anxieties and driving him to madness.
- The importance of grounding oneself in reality: Oleron’s retreat into his obsession and his avoidance of the outside world further isolate him and feed his paranoia.
Historical context: The story is set in early 20th-century London. While the specific year is not mentioned, the text alludes to events and societal norms of the time period. This includes references to gas-lighting, trams, and the prevalent interest in the occult and psychic phenomena. The story’s themes of urban isolation and the anxieties of a rapidly changing society also reflect the societal anxieties of the time.
Facts:
- The house Oleron rents is built with insignia of defunct insurance companies.
- Oleron finds two mushroom-shaped wooden wig-stands in the house’s powder-closet.
- The old house has a “To Let” board that has been standing for as long as the residents can remember.
- Oleron purchases a Yale lock for his door to separate his quarters from the rest of the house.
- The old house has a basement, three floors, and a garret.
- Oleron has been working as a writer for twenty years.
- Oleron is 44 years old.
- The “Beckoning Fair One” is an old folk song that is sung to a harp.
- Oleron has been living in lodgings and apartments for twenty years.
- The house Oleron rents has been empty for 12 years.
- The previous tenant of the house was a man named Madley, an artist who died under “unusual circumstances.”
- Madley was found with no food in his stomach and was considered to have possibly died from starvation.
- The previous tenant’s death was deemed a suicide, but it was later determined that the cause was “deliberate starvation.”
- The house has multiple creaking noises due to its age and settling timbers.
- The house has a variety of insects living within its walls.
- The previous tenant, Madley, was known to be a recluse.
- Oleron discovers an old harp bag in the house.
- Oleron hears the sound of a woman brushing her hair in the darkness.
- Oleron feels an uneasiness and fear, later diagnosed as agoraphobia, in open spaces.
- A group of religious people, led by Barrett, meet in the square outside Oleron’s house every Sunday.
- Oleron becomes aware of an unknown presence in the house, leading him to believe the house is haunted.
- Oleron is accused of being mad by the people in the neighborhood.
- Elsie Bengough, Oleron’s friend, is described as being “large, showy, fair as butter, pink as a dog-rose.”
- Elsie is a journalist who supports herself through disguised advertising.
- Elsie Bengough claims that the house will ultimately prevent Oleron from completing his work.
- Oleron finds a letter accusing him of impropriety with Elsie Bengough.
Statistics:
- Oleron is 44 years old.
- Oleron has been working as a writer for 20 years.
- Oleron pays more than he can afford for his lodgings and storage.
- Oleron rents a floor in the house for a low rent due to the neighborhood’s character and the house’s dilapidated state.
- The house is offered for sale for fifty pounds down.
- Oleron is behind on his finances, with a balance of less than 50 pounds.
- Oleron’s installation costs more than he intended.
- The house has been empty for twelve years.
- Oleron spends approximately a quarter of an hour on his initial visit to the house.
- Oleron purchases a bolt and a Yale lock for his door.
- Elsie Bengough earns a better living than Oleron.
- Elsie Bengough earns the majority of her income from disguised advertisements.
- Oleron completes fifteen chapters of his novel, “Romilly Bishop,” before deciding to start over.
- Oleron initially intends to finish his novel by the fall.
- Oleron’s work on his novel slows down after he moves into the old house.
- Oleron spends more than ten years living in various lodgings and apartments.
- Elsie Bengough is 34 years old.
- Oleron is 44 years old.
Terms:
- Widdershins: A direction contrary to the course of the sun, often associated with supernatural and unsettling events.
- Romanticist: A believer in romantic ideals, often characterized by an emphasis on emotion, imagination, and a rejection of rationalism.
- Indo-Germanic Languages: A family of languages that includes English, German, Hindi, and Persian, among others.
- Félibrige: A literary movement in Provence that sought to revive the Occitan language and culture.
- Vigneron: A winegrower, typically one who owns and operates a vineyard.
- Vendange: The grape harvest, particularly in winemaking.
- Cannes: A type of cane used for construction and other purposes.
- Magali: A Provençal folk song, often associated with romantic love and the beauty of the region.
- Qué Cantes: A Provençal folk song genre.
- Journal des Félibriges: A literary journal published by the Félibrige movement.
Examples:
- Oleron discovers a hidden compartment in the house’s window-boxes.
- Oleron encounters a woman brushing her hair in the dark, despite the room being empty.
- Elsie Bengough suffers a series of accidents in the house, leading her to believe that the house is dangerous.
- Oleron receives a letter accusing him of impropriety with Elsie Bengough, causing him to distrust his neighbors.
- Oleron finds an old harp bag hidden in the house.
- The house’s creaking noises and settling timbers cause Oleron to become increasingly anxious and paranoid.
- A group of religious people hold a noisy meeting in the square outside the house every Sunday, further unsettling Oleron.
- Oleron is accused of being mad by the people in the neighborhood after his erratic behavior.
- Oleron’s friendship with Elsie Bengough is characterized by his lack of romantic interest and her unrequited love for him.
- Oleron becomes obsessed with the house’s secrets, neglecting his work and his social life.
- Oleron experiences agoraphobia, becoming increasingly fearful of open spaces.
- Oleron finds a letter accusing him of impropriety with Elsie Bengough.
- Oleron’s obsession with the house leads him to neglect his basic needs, such as eating and sleeping.
- Oleron experiences a terrifying hallucination of a woman combing her hair in the darkness, causing him to flee the house.
Conclusion: “Widdershins” is a compelling and unsettling exploration of obsession, paranoia, and the destructive power of a haunted house. Oleron, a man already grappling with the anxieties of his age and the limitations of his artistic ambitions, becomes ensnared in a web of strange occurrences and unsettling events. His obsession with the house and its secrets consumes him, leading him down a path of isolation and madness. The story leaves the nature of the supernatural ambiguous, suggesting that the haunting phenomena may be a manifestation of Oleron’s own internal struggles. Through its chilling exploration of the human psyche, “Widdershins” offers a cautionary tale about the dangers of neglecting mental health, the influence of environment on the mind, and the importance of grounding oneself in reality.