An Account of some Strange Disturbances in Aungi

Name: An Account of some Strange Disturbances in Aungier Street
Author: Joseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu

The narrative unfolds through the experiences of two medical students, who take residence in an old, unoccupied house in Aungier Street, owned by the protagonist's uncle. The house, steeped in history and mystery, has a sinister atmosphere that deeply unsettles the narrator, who is plagued by nightmares featuring a terrifying portrait of an old man in a crimson dressing gown. This figure embodies a sense of malevolence, and the narrator's sleep is disrupted by visions of the portrait, which seems to haunt him. His cousin, Tom, initially dismisses the narrator's fears but soon experiences his own terrifying encounter. One night, Tom believes he sees a spectral figure in his room, which leads him to flee in panic. The two men decide to leave the house, but a series of strange disturbances continue to plague them, including eerie noises and unsettling visions. As the story progresses, the narrator's experiences become increasingly bizarre and terrifying. He encounters a rat that he believes embodies the spirit of the old man from the portrait, further blurring the lines between reality and nightmare. Tom's return from a visit to his father coincides with the narrator's growing dread, and they both recount their experiences, revealing a shared terror that has taken hold of them. The narrative delves into the history of the house, revealing that it once belonged to a judge known for his cruelty, who ultimately took his own life in the very room where the narrator and Tom have been sleeping. The house is rumored to be haunted, with previous occupants experiencing madness or sudden death, reinforcing the idea that the malevolent spirit of the judge lingers within its walls. The climax of the story occurs when Tom recounts a particularly harrowing encounter with the ghostly figure, which he believes is intent on harming him. This encounter leaves him traumatized, and he resolves never to return to the house. The two men finally escape the haunted dwelling, relieved to leave behind the oppressive atmosphere and the specter of the judge. In the end, the house is consumed by fire, a fitting conclusion to its dark legacy. The story serves as a chilling exploration of fear, the supernatural, and the psychological impact of living in a place steeped in malevolence. The protagonists' experiences highlight the thin boundary between reality and the supernatural, leaving readers to ponder the nature of fear and the unknown.

By Joseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu · First published 1861 · Genre: Gothic Fiction, Horror, Supernatural · 10,256 words

First lines

It is not worth telling, this story of mine -- at least, not worth writing. Told, indeed, as I have sometimes been called upon to tell it, to a circle of intelligent and eager faces, lighted up by a good after-dinner fire on a winter's evening, with a cold wind rising and wailing outside, and all snug and cosy within, it has gone off -- though I say it, who should not -- indifferent well. But it is a venture to do as you would have me. Pen, ink, and paper are cold vehicles for the marvellous, and a "reader" decidedly a more critical animal than a "listener. " If, however, you can induce your friends to read it after nightfall, and when the fireside talk has run for a while on thrilling tales of shapeless terror; in short, if you will secure me the mollia tempora fandi, I will go to my work, and say my say, with better heart. Well, then, these conditions presupposed, I shall waste no more words, but tell you simply how it all happened.

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An Account of some Strange Disturbances in Aungier Street is listed on Textopian as a short story by Joseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu, dated 1861 CE.

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Work type: Short story
Author: Joseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu
Date: 1861 CE
Language: English
Genres: Gothic Fiction, Horror, Supernatural, Mystery, Psychological Thriller
Length: 10,256 words
Structure: 1 section, 111 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Genres

Gothic Fiction — The story features elements typical of Gothic fiction, including a haunted house, supernatural occurrences, and a dark, eerie atmosphere.
Horror — The narrative evokes fear and dread through its depiction of nightmares, apparitions, and the psychological terror experienced by the characters.
Supernatural — The plot revolves around supernatural disturbances and ghostly apparitions, central to the characters' experiences.
Mystery — The story includes elements of mystery, particularly regarding the history of the house and the identity of the ghost.