 Medieval world  Late 18 th Century England  Popular into 19 th Century in Europe and America  Can refer to architecture as well as literature  Gothic architecture – ornate, intricate, flying buttresses, narrow spires, stained glass; sometimes adorned with grotesques – gargoyles, monsters, etc.  Source: The Bedford Glossary of Critical and Literary Terms, 2 nd ed. Murfin and Ray  Gothic Overview Gothic Overview Figure 1: Gothic Architectural examples

 Horror narrative – doom and gloom  Chivalry and magic  Dark, mysterious Dark, mysterious  Secret passages and supernatural events  Atmosphere of terror  Story line and setting is emphasized over characterization  Exaggerated and emotional language

 “characterized by a general mood of decay, action that is dramatic and generally violent or otherwise disturbing, loves that are destructively passionate, and settings that are grandiose, if gloomy or bleak.”violent or otherwise disturbing, loves that are destructively passionate  Romantics viewed Gothic writing as having a “freedom of spirit, variety, mystery, and instinctual authenticity.”  Source: The Bedford Glossary of Critical and Literary Terms, 2 nd ed. Murfin and Ray  Gothic Literature Resource Gothic Literature Resource

 Dark history Dark history  Secrets Secrets  Hero: Power and charisma over goodness  Heroine: win hero’s love without losing her soul or “being destroyed in the process” Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester

 Coleridge  The Bronte sisters Henry James  Mary Shelley  Edgar Allan Poe  Stephen King  Anne Rice  What other past and modern examples can you think of?

 For any further questions on Gothic literature contact Professor O’Brien at: 