Bringing Ghosts Down to Earth: Depictions of Spiritualism in the Victorian Popular Press
Bringing Ghosts Down to Earth: Depictions of Spiritualism in the Victorian Popular Press

Summary/Abstract: The tradition of communicating with ghosts is deeply rooted in vari- ous belief systems around the world. The motif of supernatural encounters re- curs in numerous myths, legends, and ballads, functioning as one of the human universals, embraced among all kinds of communities. Ghosts were believed to have a profound impact on the realm of the living not only in terms of action but also feelings; their appearance evoked a wide array of sensations: fear, mo- roseness, or apprehension, but also comfort and an uncanny sense of protection. Yet, numerous nineteenth-century sceptics pointed out the potential dangers of spiritualism, concentrating on the emerging spiritualist subculture. The article aims to explore the way spiritualism in Victorian Britain was de- scribed by the contemporary media. By looking at the textual and pictorial excerpts from the press, I argue that nineteenth-century spiritualism, commonly associated with the haunting imagery of spectral encounters, cautionary tales, or even roman- tic stories of reunions, was formed mostly by the proponents of the movement. By examining Victorian mainstream visual culture and articles from magazines, I trace the media’s critical responses to the issue of alleged spiritual meetings. Such an analysis of sources may provide a fuller and deeper understanding of the por- trayal of spiritualism, especially among Victorian opponents of the movement

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