"The Red Room" is a novels written by H. G. Wells

H. G. Wells

Herbert George Wells was an English author, now best known for his work in the science fiction genre. He was also a prolific writer in many other genres, including contemporary novels, history, politics and social commentary, even writing text books and rules for war games...

 in 1894. It was first published in the March 1896 edition of The Idler magazine.

Plot summary

Initially confident, the narrator begins to feel uneasy once in the room, and attempts to conquer his fear by lighting every corner of the room with candles. He then fights a losing battle to keep the candles lit in the drafty room; every time a candle goes out, the narrator's fear is increased, as he begins to wonder if the drafts are being guided by a malevolent intelligence. Eventually, the narrator's fear reaches a crescendo, and he is forced to flee from the room in a blind panic.

The caretakers initially feel vindicated when the narrator reveals to them that the room is in fact haunted, and are eager to hear a description of the phantom they assume the narrator has encountered. However, he surprises them by explaining that there is no ghost residing in the room; rather, the room is haunted by fear itself.

External links

• "The Red Room" free eBook
• "The Red Room" study guide and teacher resource - themes, quotes, multimedia