The Ghost In The Mill

My partner purchased a hardback collection of Great American Short Stories a while ago which I've finally got around to dipping in to. The Ghost In The Mill is the earliest tale by a woman author and, I think, the first Harriet Beecher Stowe story I've read. At just ten pages, it doesn't have a lot of space for deep characterisation or scene setting so, while I appreciated the deft way in which Stowe portrays the cabin, the mill and the snowstorm, I thought that too many words were given over to introductions, moralising and framing this tale within a tale. Once the actual ghost story got underway, it seemed to be over as soon as it had begun. I was intrigued by the Indian woman, Ketury, however whose portrayal I couldn't decide whether I liked or not. On the one hand I felt uncomfortable at the way she is given demonic characteristics, but then she is also obviously an independent woman who makes her own decisions. Perhaps it is more this example of female independence that disconcerts the white community rather than Ketury's Native American ancestry. The Ghost In The Mill is quite quaint by modern standards, suitable for reading out loud in front of children such as the two who actually feature in the story and I think it could also make a fun performance piece.