Herbert George Wells

The Red Room Annotated Herbert George Wells

"The Red Room" is a short Gothic story written by H. G. Wells in 1894. It was first published in the March 1896 edition of The Idler magazine. Initially confident, the narrator becomes increasingly uneasy in the room. He attempts to conquer his fear by lighting candles, but keeping the candles lit in the draughty room becomes an ongoing battle. Each time a candle is snuffed out, the narrator's fear and paranoia increases. . They are eager to hear a description of the phantom, but he surprises them by explaining that there is no ghost residing in the room. The room is haunted by fear itself.