Connections: What part of this writing most resonated with you?

I too believe there is a ghost in my house. I haven’t seen or witnessed any harmful attacks by this said ghost. But there is definitely a lingering spirit. I never feel alone even if I’m home alone. But it’s not in a foreboding sense, it’s comforting and seems friendly. I am not making this up, every time there has been a creak, it has resembled a person’s steps. My 4-year-old sister once even said, “look at the ghost” in the darkness once, and kids always know.

Challenges: What was challenging or difficult about reading this?

Woolf tends to let all her thoughts out on paper without explaining or expanding on them. This can make her writing challenging to read as she assumes that the reader is aware and already knows what she is writing about. Reading her work requires a lot of rereading a sentence as the syntax may not always make sense. “Beams of moonlight cross both floor and wall, and, meeting, stain the faces bent; the faces pondering; the faces that search the sleepers and seek their hidden joy.” It’s almost as if she speaks in riddles that only the reader can solve.

Concepts: What concepts does this writing explore?

This writing explores a horror story without utilising all aspects of the genre. it is almost a realistic take on the genre. This story does not seem teeth-biting scary but instead an observational piece. Woolf never sees the ghost but their presence is felt around the house.

Changes: How does this extract change or alter your understanding of reading and writing?

This extract proves that not all texts follow all the aspects of the characteristics provided by a singular genre. You can mix them up and create beautiful prose.