Gothic Literature

Historic Context The Gothic Tradition Historic Context The words Goth and Gothic describe the Germanic tribes (e.g., Goths, Visigoths, Ostrogoths) which sacked Rome and also ravaged the rest of Europe in the third, fourth, and fifth centuries. The words Goth and Gothic describe the Germanic tribes (e.g., Goths, Visigoths, Ostrogoths) which sacked Rome and also ravaged the rest of Europe in the third, fourth, and fifth centuries. Because of these tribes and their actions, the words Gothic and Goth came to mean barbarian, barbarous, and barbaric. Because of these tribes and their actions, the words Gothic and Goth came to mean barbarian, barbarous, and barbaric. In England, by the eighteenth century, Gothic had become synonymous with the Middle Ages, a period which was in disfavor because it was perceived as chaotic, unenlightened, and superstitious. In England, by the eighteenth century, Gothic had become synonymous with the Middle Ages, a period which was in disfavor because it was perceived as chaotic, unenlightened, and superstitious.

Gothic Architecture The Gothic tradition was also reflected in architecture: vaulted ceilings, arches, stained glass windows, gargoyles; its upward movement was meant to suggest heavenward aspiration.

Gothic Architecture Literary Connection to Gothic Architecture The term “ Gothic " came to describe a certain type of novels, so named because all of these novels seemed to take place in Gothic-styled architecture -- mainly castles, mansions, and, of course, abbeys ("Gothic..."). The term “ Gothic " came to describe a certain type of novels, so named because all of these novels seemed to take place in Gothic-styled architecture -- mainly castles, mansions, and, of course, abbeys ("Gothic...").

Horace Walpole 24 Sept Mar 1797 Walpole wrote what is considered the first gothic novel, The Castle of Otranto (very melodramatic) Walpole wrote what is considered the first gothic novel, The Castle of Otranto (very melodramatic) Published in 1764 Published in 1764 Inspired by the reconstruction of his home and a nightmare he’d had Inspired by the reconstruction of his home and a nightmare he’d had

Other Early Works : Other Early Works : –Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus (1818) –Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1886) –Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1897) –(all of which are extremely popular, even today)

Frankenstein’s Monster

Modern & Contemporary Gothic Writers Edgar Allan Poe Edgar Allan Poe Anne Rice Anne Rice Joyce Carol Oates Joyce Carol Oates Stephen King Stephen King Stephanie Meyer Stephanie Meyer

Basic Plot Structure for a Gothic Novel Action in the Gothic novel tends to take place at night, or at least in a claustrophobic, sunless environment. Action in the Gothic novel tends to take place at night, or at least in a claustrophobic, sunless environment. ascent (up a mountain high staircase); descent (into a dungeon, cave, underground chambers or labyrinth) or falling off a precipice; secret passage; hidden doors; ascent (up a mountain high staircase); descent (into a dungeon, cave, underground chambers or labyrinth) or falling off a precipice; secret passage; hidden doors; the pursued maiden and the threat or rape or abduction; the pursued maiden and the threat or rape or abduction; physical decay, skulls, cemeteries, and other images of death; ghosts; revenge; family curse; blood and gore; torture; the Doppelganger (evil twin or double); demonic possession; masking/shape-changing; black magic; madness; incest and other broken sexual taboos. physical decay, skulls, cemeteries, and other images of death; ghosts; revenge; family curse; blood and gore; torture; the Doppelganger (evil twin or double); demonic possession; masking/shape-changing; black magic; madness; incest and other broken sexual taboos.

What makes a piece of literature Gothic is a combination of any of these elements: A castle, ruined or intact, haunted or not A castle, ruined or intact, haunted or not Ruined buildings Ruined buildings Dungeons, underground passages, crypts, spooky basements, or attics Dungeons, underground passages, crypts, spooky basements, or attics Labyrinths, dark corridors, and winding stairs Labyrinths, dark corridors, and winding stairs

Importance of Setting The setting is greatly influential in Gothic novels. It not only evokes the atmosphere of horror and dread, but also portrays the deterioration of its world. The decaying, ruined scenery implies that at one time there was a thriving world. At one time the abbey, castle, or landscape was something treasured and appreciated. Now, all that lasts is the decaying shell of a once thriving dwelling. The setting is greatly influential in Gothic novels. It not only evokes the atmosphere of horror and dread, but also portrays the deterioration of its world. The decaying, ruined scenery implies that at one time there was a thriving world. At one time the abbey, castle, or landscape was something treasured and appreciated. Now, all that lasts is the decaying shell of a once thriving dwelling.

Elements of Gothic Literature cont’d Shadows, a beam of moonlight in the blackness, a flickering candle Shadows, a beam of moonlight in the blackness, a flickering candle Extreme landscapes: rugged mountains, thick forests, icy wastes. Extreme landscapes: rugged mountains, thick forests, icy wastes. Extreme weather Extreme weather

Elements of Gothic Literature cont’d Omens and ancestral curses Omens and ancestral curses Magic, supernatural suggestions Magic, supernatural suggestions Horrifying or terrifying events or the threat of them happening Horrifying or terrifying events or the threat of them happening

Elements of Gothic Literature cont’d A passion-driven villain A passion-driven villain A heroine with a tendency to faint or need to be rescued frequently A heroine with a tendency to faint or need to be rescued frequently A hero whose true identity might not be revealed until the end of the novel A hero whose true identity might not be revealed until the end of the novel

Archetypal Characters The Gothic hero becomes a sort of archetype as we find that there is a pattern to his characterization. The Gothic hero becomes a sort of archetype as we find that there is a pattern to his characterization. There is always the protagonist, usually isolated either voluntarily or involuntarily. There is always the protagonist, usually isolated either voluntarily or involuntarily. Then there is the villain, who is the epitome of evil, either by his (usually a man) own fall from grace, or by some implicit malevolence. Then there is the villain, who is the epitome of evil, either by his (usually a man) own fall from grace, or by some implicit malevolence. The Wanderer, found in many Gothic tales, is the epitome of isolation as he wanders the earth in perpetual exile, usually a form of divine punishment. The Wanderer, found in many Gothic tales, is the epitome of isolation as he wanders the earth in perpetual exile, usually a form of divine punishment.

Gothic Literature Themes dark side of human nature dark side of human nature search for identity search for identity desire vs duty desire vs duty social alienation social alienation search for truth search for truth