Exhibit:

Whispers from the Dark: The Macabre in American Literature Unveiled

Preview of images

Step into the shadows and explore the haunting allure of "The Macabre" in this exhibit where darkness meets American literature, and artistry to evoke a chilling fascination with the eerie and the supernatural.

Images in this Exhibit

Witchcraft at Salem Village

This image depicts a girl in a courthouse who has been "afflicted" by Satan. The girl has fallen in front of the judges and declares their innocence to God, with a hand on their heart. The image dates back to 1876 from the Pioneers in the Settlement of America by William A. Crafts. The image expresses a macabre theme as it deals with the supernatural and focuses on the unknown. It represents this theme as during the Salem Witch Trials it has never been proven or disproven that the people accused of witchcraft were "witches". A famous book that this image can easily be referenced to is ...
The Scream

This painting depicts a person with a horrified expression, mouth wide open, and hands clutching their face. This painting embodies the theme of "The Macabre" through the portrayal of intense fear and anguish. This relates to Edgar Allan Poe's "A Tell-Tale Heart" This is expressed because Edgar explores themes of terror and madness within the short story. The painting and the literary piece delve into the depths of the human psyche and help to reveal darker aspects of human nature and the consequences of obsession and guilt. Throughout the story, there is a constant eerie and spooky...
House by the Railroad

This painting conjures a sense of isolation, evoking a feeling of abandonment and decay also portrayed in the short story. This painting corresponds to the theme of the macabre because it causes people to feel suspense, fear, and decay, evoking an eerie feeling. Within the story, it is stated, "I looked upon the scene before me—upon the mere house, and the simple landscape features of the domain—upon the bleak walls—upon the vacant eye-like windows..." This quote initially describes the House of Usher and sets a supernatural presence throughout the story.

Later in the story, it says...
American Gothic

This painting depicts a farmer and his daughter standing in front of a farmhouse. The man is holding a pitchfork and both figures express serious expressions. The house behind the two figures shows a house with a peaked roof and a window with a pointed arch. This house creates an ominous atmosphere correlating to the theme of "The Macabre". This portrayal correlates to the theme of "The Macabre" in "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. The main character's descent into madness correlates to the eerie and haunting atmosphere present in the painting. The obsession the main...
House at Dusk

 This painting depicts a solitary house set against a dusky sky. The sky is filled with spots of purple, blue, and orange, as the sun casts long shadows across the landscape. The house looks old with darkened windows and a peaked roof, adding to the ominous atmosphere. The house seems to be isolated with no signs of like nor activity, creating uneasiness throughout the painting. This portrayal resonates with the themes of isolation and mystery within The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. Both the painting and the novel express "The Macabre" through their depiction of...
Nocturne in Black and Gold

This painting depicts a night scene filled with fireworks, expressing dark tones and a sense of mystery. The painting uses somber colors to create an uneasy and ominous feeling, full of chaos. This atmosphere resonates with the theme of "The Macabre" as well as Edgar Allan Poe's poem, "The Raven". The atmosphere within "The Raven" is full of darkness as the narrator emphasizes themes of obsession and despair. The raven within the poem itself becomes a symbol of death and mourning, emphasizing the feeling of darkness within the poem and the painting.

The poem, states, "Once upon a...
Cow's Skull: Red, White, and Blue

 

This painting depicts a cow skull against a red, white, and blue background. While one would believe a colorful background would make people feel warm and inviting, this painting does the opposite. This painting creates a haunting and unsettling atmosphere, evoking themes of decay and the passage of time. This is present in Bag of Bones, as it depicts supernatural occurrences, haunted pasts, and the lingering presence of death, emphasizing the theme of "The Macabre". 

Within the novel, it states, "Ghosts, I believe, are people who died with stories left unfinished...
The Flying Dutchman

This painting depicts a ghost ship that is doomed to sail the seas for all eternity. The dark colors and waves create a sense of despir and give it a haunting feeling, contributing to the macabre theme. The theme of "The Macabre" is prevalent in the novella through the haunting presence of ghosts, trapped in a state of unrest, haunting the grounds of Bly Manor.

The novella states, "The very breath of the creature in my face was, in this early day, as the very breath of the corruption in the atmosphere. This quote emphasizes the dread and decay portrayed by the ghosts, contributing...