Horror is a way to speak to the true nature of individuals and the world at large.

Karen Russell uses horror in her collection as a way to speak to the true nature of individuals and the world at large. Horror is presented in various ways to this effect, subtly and overt, classically and dramatically, with the intent being not only to scare, frighten, or unnerve the reader, but to make important arguments about true nature. Horror appears in every story in the collection in some way, shape, or form.

In “Vampires in the Lemon Grove”, horror appears in a very classic way through the existence of vampires. Clyde and his wife, both vampires, deny their true nature as vampires by refusing to drink blood. Clyde’s true nature wins out in his horrific killing of Fila to drink her blood late in the story.

In “Reeling...