The Eyes by Edith Wharton (1917)
The story revolves around a mysterious and supernatural entity known as "the eyes" that appears to a group of people at a country house. The entity is described as a pair of glowing eyes that seem to exert a hypnotic power over those who see it, causing them to experience strange and terrifying visions. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the eyes are connected to a dark secret from the past, which is slowly revealed through a series of eerie and unsettling events.
By Edith Wharton · First published 1917 · Genre: Horror, Gothic Fiction, Psychological Fiction · 4 chapters · 11,086 words
First lines
WE had been put in the mood for ghosts, that evening, after an excellent dinner at our old friend Culwin's, by a tale of Fred Murchard's -- the narrative of a strange personal visitation.
What this Textopian page supports
The Eyes is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edith Wharton, dated 1917 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Edith Wharton
- Date: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Horror, Gothic Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Short Story
- Length: 11,086 words
- Structure: 4 chapters, 100 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Eyes by Edith Wharton
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Eyes?
- How does this short story by Edith Wharton fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Horror first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Horror — The narrative revolves around supernatural elements and evokes feelings of fear and dread.
- Gothic Fiction — The story employs elements of mystery, fear, and the supernatural, typical of Gothic fiction.
- Psychological Fiction — The narrative delves into the psychological state of the characters, exploring their fears and anxieties.
- Short Story — The narrative is concise and focused, characteristic of the short story format.
Tags
Gothic Fiction · Supernatural · Mystery · Romance · Psychological Thriller · Dark Fantasy · Wealth and Class · Social Hierarchy · Family Secrets · Forbidden Love · Tragic Events · Haunted House
Contents
- CHAPTER I
- CHAPTER II
- CHAPTER III
- CHAPTER IV