Gone Medieval The Haunting Medieval World of M.R.James
Dec 17, 2024
Patrick J. Murphy, an Associate Professor of English and author, joins to discuss the haunting works of M.R. James, a renowned medieval scholar and ghost story writer. They explore how James's deep knowledge of medieval texts weaves authenticity into his eerie tales. The conversation touches on themes of cursed artifacts like a whistle, the intertwining of history and horror, and the impact of World War I on his narratives. Discover how James's academic background influences the chilling atmosphere of his timeless ghost stories.
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A Whistle and I'll Come to You, My Lad
- In "A Whistle and I'll Come to You, My Lad", a character finds an old whistle in a church.
- Ghostly events unfold after the whistle is found and used.
Oh, Whistle and Old English Poems
- M.R. James' "Oh, Whistle" draws on Old English poems from the Exeter Book, including "The Husband's Message".
- James' conflation of these poems reflects scholarly debates of his time.
Antiquary vs. Professional
- M.R. James called himself an antiquary, reflecting an older, less specialized approach to scholarship.
- This contrasted with the emerging professionalization of academia in his time.