A
Shady Plot
By Elsie
Brown
Analysis :
· ‘A
Shady Plot’ is a humorous and supernatural short story that blends naturally
comedy, mystery, satire, and irony. The story presents ghosts in a funny and interesting
manner and not in scary way.
· The
story narrates how a writer named John Hallock tends to hallucinate to escape the
reality and slips into imaginary world hoping to find a good plot for his
stories.
· It
revolves around a writer, John Hallock, who struggles to write a ghost story
and unexpectedly encounters a real ghost named Helen.
· It
is a fiction which narrates a set of interesting events happening in the life
of the protagonist, Mr. Hallock who gets caught in difficult situations due to
his wife’s fascination for ghosts and oujha board.
· The
story cleverly mocks writers’ dependence on imagination and society’s
fascination with supernatural practices like Ouija boards.
· It
also explores misunderstanding and issue of trust in marriage through comic
situations.
· The
story conveys the message that we may pass into an imaginary world which is
more attractive and fascinating yet we have to face the reality of life and
tackle the difficult situations through discourse and dialogue.
· The
title is appropriate and symbolic because ‘shady plot’ refers both to a ghostly
plot and a suspicious misunderstanding in John’s married life.
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Detailed Summary:
John Hallock, a writer of ghost stories, is asked by
his publisher, Jenkins, to write another supernatural story because such
stories are popular among the readers. Although John has written successful
ghost stories before, he suddenly suffers from writer’s block and cannot think
of a suitable plot. He grows frustrated and begins talking to himself.
John starts hallucinating and unexpectedly, a female ghost
named Helen appears when John was trying to think of a good plot for his
stories. She was not happy at this call and explains that she belongs to the ‘Writer’s
Inspiration Bureau’—a group of ghosts who secretly provide story ideas to
writers. Helen reveals that she and other ghosts are going on strike because some
people constantly disturb them through Ouija boards for asking silly questions.
She wants John to help her and influence people to stop encouraging such
practices if he wants ideas for his ghost stories.
Ironically, John’s wife, Lavinia, suddenly becomes
interested in Ouija boards and buys one. She arranges a ouija board party with
members of her book club. John dislikes the idea but is unable to stop her.
During the party, John partners with Laura Hinkle, a vain and proud lady with
shallow character. The board mysteriously spells messages such as ‘Traitor’ for
John Hallock and indicates that a woman named Helen is sending messages for
John, which caused suspicion among the guests that John is having extramarital
relations with Helen. Gladolia, their maid threatens them to leave as she is
scared of ouijha borad.
Lavinia misunderstands and misinterprets the situation
thinking that Helen is a real woman with whom John is secretly in a
relationship. Feeling betrayed, Lavinia becomes angry and decides to leave him
telling that she will send her lawyer for divorce. John desperately tries to
explain but fails. This creates comic tension in the story.
At the climax, Helen appears before Lavinia and
introduces herself as a ghost. Lavinia realises her mistake of misunderstanding
John and forgives him. Gladolia, the maid, burns the Ouija board, ending the
supernatural confusion. Ironically, John finally gets an excellent idea for a
ghost story from his own strange experience.
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Major Themes
The story presents ghosts in a humorous rather than
scary way. The supernatural elements are interesting and amusing instead of
being frightening.
The story also highlights misunderstanding in relationships.
Lavinia misunderstands John’s connection with Helen, creating conflict in the
story. This highlights how lack of communication can lead to suspicion and
dialogue resolves it.
The story lightly mocks people’s obsession with Ouija
boards, showing how easily people become fascinated with supernatural ideas.
.
Important Characters
1. John Hallock
John Hallock, the protagonist of the story is a writer
of ghost stories. He is practical yet imaginative. His stories are liked by his
readers hence he is forced by his boss to write only ghost stories. He gets nervous
easily and behaves humorously in difficult situations. He is an honest husband who
loves his wife. He tries with all his might to save his marriage.
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2. Lavinia Hallock
Lavinia Hallock, wife of John, is curious,
fashionable, and impulsive. She easily gets fascinated with ouijha board and
throws a party for its users, creating a problematic situation for John. She easily
gets suspicious and threatens to leave John. But she is loving at heart and
cares to save her marriage.
3. Helen (The Ghost)
Helen is smart, witty, and practical ghost. She is the
member of the ‘Writer’s Inspiration Bureau’. She is concerned for all the
ghosts. She complains about overwork and misuse of ghosts for drawing
inspiration and playing silly games on ouijha board. Her appearance on the
scene adds humour to the story. She is caring and helpful as she helps John to
save his marriage.
4. Laura Hinkle
Laura Hinkle is Lavinia’s friend and shallow in
character. She is influenced by ouijha board and very excited to play games at
the Ouija board party. Her unsympathetic behaviour creates misunderstanding between
John and Lavinia when she receives Helen’s messages.
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Message
The story teaches that trust is important to save the
relations, reminding the readers that misunderstandings and suspicion can
damage relationships and through open dialogue one can save the relations. At
the same time, it humorously warns against blind belief in superstitions.
Justification of the title
The title ‘Shady Plot’ refers to some secretive plot or
ghostly story. The title is apt as this story has a supernatural subplot
involving the ghosts. This story also involves a suspicious plot with Lavinia
suspecting John of hiding a secret relationship with Helen.
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