“THE MAN WHO RETURNED FROM THE GRAVE” by Edmond Hamilton #WeirdDarkness
Weird Darkness: Stories of the Paranormal, Supernatural, Legends, Lore, Mysterious, Macabre, Unsolved
Deep Dive
Why did John Woodford initially think he was in a strange place?
He woke up in complete darkness and felt weak, with no immediate memory of how he got there. The air was warm and foul, and he couldn't identify his surroundings.
What realization terrified John Woodford the most?
He discovered he was in a coffin, buried alive, which was the very horror he had feared since childhood due to his susceptibility to cataleptic sleeps.
How did John Woodford attempt to escape his coffin?
He tried using his hands and feet to claw and push against the coffin lid, but the narrow space limited his movements. He eventually managed to break the lid open by using his shoulder to heave upward.
What was John Woodford's initial reaction upon returning home?
He was eager to surprise his wife and son with his return, anticipating their joy and amazement at his survival. He planned to approach them carefully to avoid causing shock.
Why did John Woodford decide not to reveal his return to his wife?
He overheard his wife, Helen, confessing her love for their friend Curtis Dawes and their plans to marry. Realizing she had never truly loved him, he chose to remain dead to her to preserve her newfound happiness.
How did John Woodford's son, Jack, react to his father's death?
Jack used the insurance money from his father's death to start his own business, which he had long desired. Woodford realized that revealing his survival would jeopardize Jack's opportunity.
Why did John Woodford struggle to get help after escaping the coffin?
He was unable to convince his former employer, Howard Norse, or his friend Willis Gran, that he was alive. Both dismissed his claims, with Norse even criticizing Woodford's past inefficiency at work.
What ironic obstacle prevented John Woodford from seeking shelter?
His formal funeral attire, including a frock coat and patent leather shoes, made him appear too well-dressed to be believed when he sought help at a relief lodging house.
Why did John Woodford return to the cemetery vault?
He sought shelter from the freezing wind and snow. The vault provided a temporary refuge, and he found comfort in the warmth of the coffin's silk lining.
What was John Woodford's final decision regarding his survival?
He chose to return to the coffin, closing the lid to stay warm. Despite the increasing difficulty in breathing, he felt it was better to remain in the coffin than to face the cold and rejection outside.
- Premature burial fear
- Catalepsy
- Coffin escape
Shownotes Transcript