Psychic Phenomena
The narrative centers on Carl Dell and Anita Starr, who are grappling with the emotional aftermath of a deceased woman who profoundly impacted their lives. Their conversation unfolds in a somber atmosphere, reflecting their shared grief and nostalgia. Carl, caught between youth and the encroachment of middle age, exhibits a blend of scholarly and roguish traits, while Anita's physical presence contrasts discipline with a chaotic emotional landscape. As they reminisce about the deceased, their dialogue reveals a deep connection to her memory, transforming mundane objects and experiences into poignant reminders of her influence. Carl's expressions of love and loss are interspersed with Anita's poetic reflections, suggesting a complex interplay of admiration and sorrow. The dead woman is portrayed as an ethereal figure, almost otherworldly, whose presence once animated their lives but now leaves them in a state of desolation. The narrative shifts to the night, where Carl experiences a haunting sensation in his room, feeling a presence that seems to cradle him. This moment blurs the line between reality and the supernatural, as he reaches out to the memory of the deceased, seeking solace in the darkness. The tension builds as he confronts his own vulnerability and the weight of his emotions. The following morning, Carl and Anita's interaction is marked by a shared understanding of their experiences from the previous night, suggesting a psychic connection forged through their grief. Their breakfast conversation reveals the depth of their shared trauma, as they recount similar encounters with the spectral presence of the woman. This exchange underscores their emotional bond and the lingering impact of loss on their lives. Anita's mother interrupts their moment, bringing a contrasting energy to the scene. Her mundane concerns about the weather serve to highlight the profound emotional turmoil that Carl and Anita are navigating. The juxtaposition of their heavy introspection against her lighthearted chatter emphasizes the isolation they feel in their grief. Overall, the work explores themes of love, loss, and the haunting nature of memory, delving into the psychic connections that can exist between individuals in the face of shared tragedy. The characters' struggles with their emotions and the spectral presence of the deceased woman create a rich tapestry of human experience, blending the tangible with the ethereal.
By Maxwell Bodenheim · First published 1920 · Genre: Psychological Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery · 1,573 words
First lines
Carl Dell and Anita Starr were speaking of a dead woman who had influenced their eyes. She had also refined their heads to a chill protest. Their faces, involved and disconsolate, had not solved her absence, and their voices were freighted with a primitive martyrdom. Carl was fencing with the end of his youth. His body held that inpenetrable cringing which pretends to ignore the coming of middle age and is only betrayed by rare gestures. He was tall, with a slenderness that barely escaped being feminine. The upper part of his face was scholarly and the lower part roguish, and the two gave him the effect of a sprite who has become erudite but still retains the memory of his former identity. His protruding eyes were embarrassed, as though someone behind them had unexpectedly pushed them from a refuge. With immense finesse they apologised for intruding upon the world. It is almost tautology to say that they were gray. His small brown moustache had a candidly misplaced air as it touched the thin bacchanale of his lips. It was a mourner at the feast.
What this Textopian page supports
Psychic Phenomena is listed on Textopian as a short story by Maxwell Bodenheim, dated 1920 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Maxwell Bodenheim
- Date: 1920 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Psychological Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Supernatural, Drama
- Length: 1,573 words
- Structure: 1 section, 20 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for Psychic Phenomena by Maxwell Bodenheim
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Psychic Phenomena?
- How does this short story by Maxwell Bodenheim fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Psychological Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- An Evenings Entertainment by M. R. James
- Vera The Medium by Richard Harding Davis
- Dead And Gone by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Psychological Fiction — The narrative delves deeply into the characters' inner thoughts and emotional struggles, exploring themes of love, loss, and existential reflection.
- Literary Fiction — The writing style is characterized by rich, descriptive language and complex character development, typical of literary fiction.
- Mystery — The presence of a dead woman and the characters' experiences with her influence create an air of mystery surrounding her impact on their lives.
- Supernatural — Elements of the supernatural are suggested through the characters' experiences with the deceased woman, hinting at psychic phenomena.
Tags
Supernatural Fiction · Paranormal Activity · Psychological Thriller · Mystery Novel · Occultism · Spiritualism · Esoteric Knowledge · Unexplained Phenomena · Ghost Stories · Haunted Places · Mind Reading · Telepathy