THE DARKNESS UNDER THE STAIRS by Lance Salway

A resource created by Lesely Taylor

GENRE/THEMES
A modern ghost story that borrows from Gothic and Victorian ghost stories. Main similarities:

• Features derelict house
• Dark enclosed space (cupboard under stairs)
• Suggestion of haunting (compulsion, being drawn in etc.)
• Description of darkness, cold, strangeness

Supernatural presence in the house is not explained - something under the stairs that only Andrew can hear. Something that is within Andrew ? Something that takes control of him as he enters the house? A manifestation of mental illness? Up to reader to work out what happens and why.

STRUCTURE
Look at story attempts to create and maintain suspense:

• Opening paragraph - 'wave of dread'
• Repetition of description of chill and darkness
• Alternating tension/normality:

opening = dread
Drinks = normality
Into hall = cold, dark, sobbing
Back home = normality
Going back? = tension
Back in house = relief

Ending = explanation? Twist?
Writer engages reader by suggesting supernatural presence at beginning, builds up suspense when Andrew hears sobbing. Andrew's return home precedes the tension of his possible return to the house. Looks as if he won't makes it (anticlimax) and then he makes it back into the house as neighbours are leaving. Reader is encouraged to read on to see what will happen. Told in third person but reader is made aware of Andrew's thoughts and feelings. How does this contribute to suspense in the story?

SETTING
Look at description of Mrs. Bromley (mysterious old woman living with 'bad tempered cats') and words used to describe the house and garden (derelict, unkempt, dilapidated, vicious, tangled wilderness. Descriptions of the house as cold, dark contrast with Andrew's warm, comfortable, modern home. Setting typical of traditional ghost stories, contributes to atmosphere of oppression and darkness.

LANGUAGE AND STYLE
Typical 20th century short story - vocabulary and dialogue in 'everyday English' that reinforces the suburban lifestyle of Andrew's family. Comparatively short sentences and paragraphs. Frequent reminders of normal, modern, family life (drinks or dinner with the neighbours, can of coke etc).

LANGUAGE AND IMAGERY
Writer uses imagery to suggest cold, fear, loneliness. Personification of fear. Examples:

• Eyes cold as stone
• Draughty as a tomb
• Cold wave of fear
• Fear settled round him like a dark stifling blanket
• Thick dark blanket of dread
• Fear was pressing tightly ... dragging him

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