What comes to mind when you think of the phrase “ghost stories”? For those interested in elements of pop culture, visual interpretations of ghost stories that capture horror and thrilling psychological motifs, such as the films Poltergeist, The Ring or Paranormal Activity, are often mentioned. These films gain viewers because they lend a reference that demonstrates both their ability to become infamous and to terrify people. Many of these same people also love these "ghost" stories because of their explanations of what happens to a person's spirit after they die. The different interpretations provide a wide scope for discussion about ghosts in the media. The haunting of these spirits in movies may work well to scare people, but what about ghost stories in print? Ruth Y. Jenkins writes: “Authors have long incorporated supernatural elements into their fiction for various reasons: to increase suspense, to enhance the setting. , or complicate the plot” (61) and it is clear that she is on the right track. Much like those discussing visual media, the ideas about printed works of fiction presented by critics like Jenkins share a similar perspective. These literary critics often look to the famous works of William Shakespeare's Hamlet or Henry James's The Turn of the Screw as works revered for their use of the ghost in literature. Both the works of Shakespeare and James offer commentary and investigation into how the ghost finds its representation. in literature. Each work is also extremely important because it deals with the ghostliness of the traditional literary field in a way familiar to readers and critics, through uses similar to Jenkins' reference. Shakespeare's ghost clearly provides the spark in the middle of the paper. From then on, the Hungry Ghosts seek the satisfaction of old unmet needs whose time has passed” (28). Although the hungry ghost originated as a religious concept for many, it has seeped into the literature of authors from both Buddhist and non-Buddhist lifestyles. It has also become relevant in the works of Asian American authors who have found a balance between their Asian cultural roots and their Westernized American lifestyle. Suddenly, Maxine Hong Kingston simplified the use of the hungry ghost in her memoir, The Woman Warrior, and Amy Tan discovered complexity in a few of her novels. Works Cited Jenkins, Ruth Y. “Authorizing Female Voice and Experience: Ghosts and Spirits in Kingston's The Woman Warrior and Allende's The House of the Spirits.” MELUS Intertextualities19.3 (Fall 1994): 61-73. JSTOR. Internet. October 13 2009.