The Red Room by H.G. Wells (1896)
The story revolves around a young man who enters a mysterious room with red walls, where he undergoes a series of intense and transformative experiences that challenge his perceptions of reality and identity. The narrative explores themes of psychological disintegration, the blurring of boundaries between self and other, and the fragility of human consciousness.
By H.G. Wells · First published 1896 · Genre: Horror, Gothic Fiction, Psychological Thriller · 4,280 words
First lines
"I can assure you," said I, "that it will take a very tangible ghost to frighten me. " And I stood up before the fire with my glass in my hand.
"It is your own choosing," said the man with the withered arm, and glanced at me askance.
What this Textopian page supports
The Red Room is listed on Textopian as a short story by H.G. Wells, dated 1896 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: H.G. Wells
- Date: 1896 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Horror, Gothic Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Short Story
- Length: 4,280 words
- Structure: 1 section, 59 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Red Room by H.G. Wells
- 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
Similar titles
- The Mysterious Portrait by Nikolai Gogol
- At Old Man Eckerts by Ambrose Bierce
- The Dolliver Romance by Nathaniel Hawthorne
- The Secret Sharer An Episode From The Coast by Joseph Conrad
- Was It A Dream by Guy De Maupassant
- The Wives Of The Dead by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Genres
- Horror — The story revolves around a haunted room and the protagonist's terrifying experience, emphasizing fear and supernatural elements.
- Gothic Fiction — The setting in an old castle, the presence of mysterious and eerie characters, and the exploration of fear align with Gothic traditions.
- Psychological Thriller — The narrative delves into the psychological effects of fear on the protagonist, focusing on mental tension and suspense.
- Short Story — The work is a concise narrative focusing on a single event, characteristic of the short story format.
Tags
Science Fiction · Psychological Thriller · Mystery · Short Story · Classic Literature · Early 20th Century · British Literature · Literary Experimentation · Stream-of-Consciousness · Inner Monologue · Dream Narrative · Symbolism