Dark Romantic (Gothic) Elements

Gothic Origins The scary stories that we enjoy today had their first flowering in English literature in the beginning of the l9th century.

Gothic Origins At that time, such scary stories and novels were termed “Gothic” to refer back to the Middle Ages, a time seen as barbaric (the original meaning of gothic), unlike the “enlightened” time of the present.

Gothic Elements The following elements were likely to be found in the l9th century. You can expect to find this sort of thing in most of Edgar Allen Poe’s work, including his detective stories.

Symbolism Dark Romantics always use symbols Often in the title

Mood Unlike Early Romantic stories, the emphasis is on creating a dark mood Created through imagery, setting, character & subject matter

Setting Wild and desolate landscapes

Setting Ruined abbeys Feudal halls Medieval castles with dungeons Graveyards

Setting Secret passages Winding staircases Sliding panels Torture chambers

Underground rooms and tombs

A Catholic or feudal society

Supernatural elements

A heroine with a trembling sensitivity and her impetuous lover

Heroines and heroes in incredible danger

Characters Priests Monks Physicians

Wicked tyrants Evil witches Tyrannical older men

Demonic powers

Spooky effects and haunting specters

Sleep Dream & death-like states

Live burial

Doubles/twins

Discovery of obscure family ties Incest

Unnatural silences; unspeakable ideas and events

Guilt and shame – and the effects of them

Secret and undecipherable writings

Cats Bats Wolves

Moonlight

Oppressive atmosphere of doom

Blood

Murder

Fear