Dickon the Devil

Name: Dickon the Devil
Author: Joseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu

The narrator, tasked with partitioning a property in Lancashire, arrives at Barwyke Hall, a neglected estate steeped in mystery. The journey reveals a picturesque yet eerie landscape, and upon reaching the hall, he encounters Tom Wyndsour, the bailiff, who provides little information about the estate's dark past. The hall is described as melancholic, with signs of decay and a nearby ominous lake. During his stay, the narrator learns of local superstitions surrounding the estate, particularly concerning the late Squire Bowes, who died twenty years prior without a will. The townsfolk whisper of strange occurrences linked to the Squire's spirit, believed to haunt the grounds and cause misfortune to the cattle owned by the new heiresses. Tom recounts how the Squire's ghost was seen walking among the trees, and cattle began to sicken and die after he allegedly touched them. The story deepens with the introduction of Dickon Pyke, an idiot who roams the countryside and is said to have been affected by a traumatic encounter with the Squire's ghost. Tom shares a chilling tale of how, one night, the Squire's spirit entered the room where Tom and Dickon were sleeping, lifted Dickon from his bed, and carried him away. When Tom awoke, Dickon was missing, only to be found later, traumatized and unable to speak coherently, forever changed by the experience. As the narrator listens to Tom's account, he becomes increasingly uneasy, especially when he hears strange noises outside and glimpses a white figure resembling Dickon. The atmosphere grows tense, and the narrator feels the weight of the estate's dark history pressing upon him. After a night filled with unsettling dreams and eerie occurrences, he decides to leave Barwyke Hall, eager to escape the haunting presence of the past. The narrative explores themes of memory, the supernatural, and the lingering effects of unresolved histories, culminating in a sense of foreboding that lingers long after the narrator departs. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of neglecting the past and the mysteries that can haunt a place long after its inhabitants have gone.

By Joseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu · First published 1862 · Genre: Gothic Fiction, Horror, Mystery · 4,953 words

First lines

About thirty years ago I was selected by two rich old maids to visit a property in that part of Lancashire which lies near the famous forest of Pendle, with which Mr. Ainsworth's Lancashire Witches has made us so pleasantly familiar. My business was to make partition of a small property, including a house and demesne, to which they had a long time before succeeded as co-heiresses.

The last forty miles of my journey I was obliged to post, chiefly by crossroads, little known, and less frequented, and presenting scenery often extremely interesting and pretty. The picturesqueness of the landscape was enhanced by the season, the beginning of September, at which I was travelling.

What this Textopian page supports

Dickon the Devil is listed on Textopian as a short story by Joseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu, dated 1862 CE.

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Work type: Short story
Author: Joseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu
Date: 1862 CE
Language: English
Genres: Gothic Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction
Length: 4,953 words
Structure: 1 section, 82 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Work identity for Dickon the Devil by Joseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu
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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

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 includes themes of fear, the supernatural, and the unsettling presence of a ghostly figure, contributing to a horror ambiance.
Mystery — The plot revolves around uncovering the secrets of Barwyke Hall and the mysterious events surrounding the old Squire's death.
Literary Fiction — The writing style is rich and descriptive, focusing on character development and thematic depth, characteristic of literary fiction.