Text:

“In the house my step father grew up in, they had this story about how the family that lived there before had a daughter that died in the house. My aunt had recalled a few times that she saw a ghost of the daughter in her room (the room of the daughter previously). My step dad always thought she was full of it, but years later when my aunt and stepdad were going through old family photos, and my stepdad found a photo of him hanging out at the neighbors. When my aunt saw the photo she saw the ghost in the background, in his home’s backyard. 

Context: 

My friend told me this story, told to him by his stepdad. 

Analysis:

This story is a memorate, a good example of a popular type of ghost story. Photos are often used as proof of a ghost’s existence, and can add to the scariness of a true spirit. This story also contains the theme that a ghost tends to stay near the area of their death, as if tethered, haunting it. 

Text:

On the night of a full moon in Bachelor’s Grove cemetery, the white lady can be seen holding a baby. She is a ghost that haunts the cemetery, and is the subject of many legends in Chicago. She has been dubbed the ‘madonna’.

Context:

Another story from my good friend back home in Chicago. We often visit cemeteries together and love learning about the history of graves. He told me this story about one of the most haunted cemeteries in the Chicagoland area. 

Analysis:

This story focuses on our fear of the unknown, and our belief in some sort of continued existence after death. The full moon is another common aspect in ghost stories, spawned by the belief that there is something mystical about a full moon, something magical. 

Text:

A long time ago in China, a man did a favor for the emperor. When asked what he desired as a reward, the man told him he wanted a single grain of rice, except every day it would be doubled. The emperor did not think this would be too costly, and approved his reward. When the man soon was given thousands and thousands of grains of rice a day, the emperor realized he had made a mistake. 

Context:

My friend told me he heard this story growing up from his parents.

Analysis:

This story emphasizes the importance of wits in Chinese society. Since the man in the story was smart and subtle, he was rewarded greatly. 

Text:

In Chicago, there is large graveyard called Graceland Cemetery. An iconic grave is the grave of Inez Clarke, a girl who died at three years old. A statue featuring her likeness is encased in glass above her grave. The legend goes that she was struck by lightning and died instantly. Whenever a thunderstorm begins, she is said to leave the glass and walk the graveyard grounds. 

Context:

I heard this story from my good friend back in Chicago. We often visit cemeteries together and love learning about the history of graves. He told me this story he heard about one of the most interesting graves in Chicago. 

Analysis:

This legend revolves around our sadness due to the death of a child. We are haunted by this occurrence and possibly scared. In the story we give her life to prolong her existence and remembrance. I also believe it is scary to represent the haunting occurrence of a child’s death.

Text:

When my father’s good friends moved into their first home in Chicago, they took photos of the property. In several photos, the figure of a man with a mutton chops style beard can be seen in the windows. He is dressed in the style of the 1800’s. The owners of the house believe he is the previous owner of the house, and exists as a kind spirit to watch over the house. They’ve taken to calling him mutton chops. 

Context:

My father heard this story from his good friends. He claims he has seen the photos, along with my mother.

Analysis:

Chicago is rife with ghost stories, especially involving ghosts from the industrial period, when Chicago became what it is today. Stories involving spirits connected to places they lived their life are also very popular. The idea that a spirit is a kind guardian has roots in several cultures.