A Shady Plot Summary Class 10 English

Summary of A Shady Plot

In this article, you will be reading A Shady Plot summary. Elsie Brown is the author of this story. She was an expert in writing horror stories based on the supernatural, ghostly elements. A Shady Plot shows us how the supernatural, ghostly elements can backfire. Also, one should exercise caution in invoking powers over which they do not have any control. A shady plot is a story about the writer John Hallock’s who writes stories about the ghost. He was dependent on his creativity on the ghost, Helen. On account of his inability to disclose his relationship with Helen, the ghost, the shadows of divorce appeared large over his relationship with his wife, Lavinia. Things only became short out after Lavinia threw away the Ouija Board. The problem got solved, his wife and maid returned to him. The ghost was no more a threat to the wife.

A Shady Plot Summary in English

It is a story of an ordinary man who is basically an accountant. His friend requested him to write a new ghost story for his magazine. When he starts to write, a she-ghost, Helen, appears and tells him that she was also a writer in her life. She was the one who gave him ideas when he writes ghost stories. Helen said that she would continue to help him in giving the ideas. But the condition is that he has to convince his friends and relatives to stop using the Ouija board. All the ghosts were unhappy. As human beings called them any time. So, they were on a strike. She cannot help him unless the strike was over. After this, Lavinia, John’s wife entered the room and told him that she has bought an Ouija board from the auction. John was very surprised to hear all this.

One day his wife was conducting an Ouija board party. Everyone was in pairs on the board. Only one girl needed a partner. So, John joined her company. John was scared but he continued, but as the play started the word mentioned john as a traitor, and everyone is surprised there. When a woman (Mrs. Hinkle) further queried and then it cleared that a woman named Helen were calling him a traitor. Now everyone assumed the John had a special relationship with Helen.

The next day, in the morning john, couldn’t find his wife. She had left a note that she was going to her grandmother’s house. She wanted a divorce. John was totally upset. Then the ghost appeared again and told that his wife must throw the Ouija board. John’s wife came in. John supposed that his wife would faint if she sees the ghost. But nothing much happened, in fact, she was happy to see her. Then Helen told that she was an ordinary woman in New York. Lavinia forgave her husband. She promised to get rid of the Ouija board. This made everyone happy- the ghost of Helen, the maid, and the author. And later John was getting an idea of writing a story. Hence the condition was fully satisfied and everyone was happy.

Conclusion of A Shady Plot

A Shady Plot’ teaches us that human being has no right to invoke supernatural powers through Ouija boards, Tarot cards, etc. to solve his problems. One should face life boldly and overcome the difficulties using wit and intelligence.