Fear Quote by John Berwick Harwood
““No wonder that the ghost and goblin stories had a new zest. No wonder that the blood of the more timid grew chill and curdled, that their flesh crept, and their hearts beat irregularly, and the girls peeped fearfully over their shoulders, and huddled close together like frightened sheep, and half-fancied they beheld some impish and malignant face gibbering at them from the darkling corners of the old room. By degrees my high spirits died out, and I felt the childish tremors, long latent, long forgotten, coming over me. I followed each story with painful interest; I did not ask myself if I believed the dismal tales. I listened and fear grew upon me - the blind, irrational fear of our nursery days. ("Horror: A True Tale")””
About This Quote
Source Short Story: Horror: A True Tale, 1890
The narrator’s fear intensifies as ghost stories revive childhood terror, showing how imagination can resurrect deep-seated anxieties.
In simple terms: Stories can reignite old fears.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and question lingering fears.
Themes
fear
imagination
nostalgia
psychology
Mood
uneasy
reflective
Type
narrative
psychological
When to use this quote
- reading horror
- watching scary movies
- nighttime alone
- discussing fears with friends
- therapy sessions
Key Concepts
childhood trauma
storytelling
emotional contagion
Questions to Reflect On
- What childhood fear still haunts you?
- How does storytelling affect your emotions?
A Different Perspective
Fear may be amplified by suggestion, not reality.
