Casting the Runes, and Other Ghost Stories Study Questions & Topics for Discussion

Casting the Runes, and Other Ghost Stories Topics for Discussion

The protagonist in each of M.R. James' story is usually a lone man who is frequently in a foreign country. Why does M.R. James use this particular type of character for each story? How does he as the writer use this to identify with the reader?

Why does M.R. James frequently place the action in his stories in foreign countries? Does this enhance or detract from the supernatural overtones to the stories? Why or why not?

How do the protagonists of each story usually act when the supernatural events start occurring? Do they tend to believe immediately or retain some sense of being skeptical? How does their upbringing contribute to this?

Frequently, the protagonist of the story stays at or visits a religious area. How does this bring the idea of good versus evil, and God versus the devil into the stories? Is it effective to create a more definite...
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