Essay Questions

How do the stories in this collection create spooky settings?

Many of the stories in this collection have stereotypically spooky settings. For example, "Playmates," is set in a large, old mansion filled with ghosts, while "The Corner Shop" is set in an antique store. In "Harry", Timperley describes the "large, grey building" of the orphanage where she adopted her daughter, which significantly creates a creepy atmosphere.

Indeed, the setting is incredibly important for a ghost story, because it helps to create a certain mood and tone. This is why stereotypically creepy settings such as old houses, orphanages, and monasteries are often found in ghost stories.

How does A.M Burrage use imagery to describe Monica in "Playmates"?

Burrage uses imagery to describe Moncia's unfortunate situation after her alcoholic father dies. She is adopted by Stephen Everton, without much choice in the matter. As the narrator describes, she would "no more have questioned anybody's ownership [of her] than if she had been an inanimate piece of luggage left in a cloak-room." This simile is used to emphasize how little autonomy the girl had over her own life and living situation.

Why did Roald Dahl particularly enjoy "Harry," by Rosemary Timperley?

In his introduction, Roald Dahl expresses his surprise about how a lot of ghost stories do not have an adequate level of "spookiness." However, he then came across Timperley's story "Harry," which he describes in the following passage: "Then suddenly a bright star flashed across the murky sky. I had found a good one. The end of it gave me the shivers."