Gothic Literature History Main Elements Expressions Famous Writers Influence

History & Origin late 18th century authors imitate medieval age „I rushed out of the court in agony. The tortures of the accused did not equal mine; she was sustained by innocence, but the fangs of remorse tore my bosom, and would not forego their hold. . . .“ Horace Walpole, The Castle of Otranto late 18th century authors imitate medieval age political, social, and theological motives 1764 – Horace Walpole's „Otranto“ to be first Gothic Novel Ann Radcliffe: developing a standard in Gothic Novel

History & Origin at the same time: development of „roman noir“ in France and „Schauerroman“ in Germany influenced by writers like J.W. von Goethe or E.T.A. Hoffmann 1794: „The Mysteries of Udolpho“ regarded as the best example of eighteenth-century fiction, making Radcliffe well known 1818: Mary Shelley's „Frankenstein“ - progressive work, linking gothic elements with romantic style English Gothic gave impact to American and French Gothic

Expressions Gothic Literature expressed... „'These walls,' said he, 'were once the seat of luxury and vice. They exhibited a singular instance of the retribution of Heaven, and were from that period forsaken, and abandoned to decay.' His words excited my curiosity, and I enquired further concerning their meaning.“ Ann Radcliffe, A Sicilian Romance Gothic Literature expressed... the fear of changes in politics or religion the wish to return to Medieval Age, times of fantasy the feeling of the failure to survive in the modern world emphasized romantical feelings deepest fears and unspeakable evils

Main Elements „During the whole of a dull, dark, and soundless day in the autumn of the year, when the clouds hung oppressively low in the heavens...There was an iciness, a sinking, a sickening of the heart- an unredeemed dreariness of thought which no goading of the imagination could torture into aught of the sublime.“ Edgar Allan Poe, The Fall of the House of Usher Gothic Literature comes along with a pleasing sort of terror and an extension of essentially Romantic literary pleasures, featuring:

Main Elements pleasurably terrifying experiences in ancient castles (both psychological and physical) haunted houses, ghosts, supernatural mystery darkness, death, decay, the macabre secrets, hereditary curses and of course some blood

Famous Writers & Books English Gothic: U.S. Gothic: Horace Walpole (1717-1797, „The Castle of Otranto“) Ann Radcliffe (1764-1823, „Mysteries of Udolpho“) Matthew Gregory Lewis (1775-1818, „The Monk“) U.S. Gothic: Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849, „The Fall of the House of Usher“) Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864, „Mosses from an Old Manse and other stories“)

Influences and Neo-Gothic Influences on later romantic novels (Lord Byron, John Keats) Writers like Charles Dickens, having read gothic novels in childhood, were inspired Heavy Influences on Horror Novels in the 20th century (Stephen King,...) Reprints by Science-Fiction magazines themes re-used in music such as Gothic, Heavy Metal and Black Metal Name- and idea-giving to the gothic subculture

Sources enotes.com/gothic-literature/ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gothic_fiction litgothic.com/index_fl.html de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gothic_novel gutenberg.org/wiki/Gothic_Fiction_(Bookshelf) wwnorton.com/college/english/nael/romantic/topic_2/welcome.htm Edgar Allan Poe – The Fall of the House of Usher and other Tales