ARCHETYPES OF FEAR AND DEATH IN AMERICAN SHORT STORIES
Keywords:
Archetypes, fear, death, American short fiction, symbolism, mythological patterns, Edgar Allan Poe, Stephen King, gothic tradition, psychological horror.Abstract
Fear and death are among the most persistent themes in American short fiction, often expressed through archetypal symbols and mythological patterns. This thesis examines the representation of fear and death as archetypal concepts in selected American short stories, focusing on works by Edgar Allan Poe and Stephen King. The study analyzes how archetypes rooted in mythological consciousness are transformed into symbolic imagery within literary narratives. The findings reveal that archetypal representations of fear and death serve as universal narrative mechanisms, enabling authors to address psychological, moral, and cultural anxieties. The paper argues that American short fiction preserves mythological archetypes while reshaping them to reflect historical and social change.
