1. The Dark Romantics Gothic Literature
Hard to determine an exact date
Started with one novel published in 1764
Traditionalists say it ended with the end of Romanticism in 1820
Others say it is still going (Stephen King)
…and beyond

2. The Origins of the term Gothic (“Gothick”)
Originally referred to the northern Gothic tribes that invaded Europe in the 4th, 5th, and 6th centuries
Later applied to Renaissance architecture (critics thought the style originated with the Gothic tribe)
Was considered ugly, barbaric, archaic
These Gothics had a history of pillaging and looting
term became associated with savagery, cruelty
eventually means lacking civility and taste
14-16 centuries Renaissance
Revival in art and architecture
Thought this type was unsophisticated

3. Gothic Context
The gothic was first used as a Medieval, architectural term to describe a style of building that included gargoyles, scenes of Hell, and souls in torment.
Artist Poe refers to
traditional art emphasizes dark images (dark colors)
women in distress
some evil presences

4. Gothic Literary tradition came to be in part from the Gothic architecture of the Middle Ages.
Gothic cathedrals with irregularly placed towers, and high stained-glass windows were intended to inspire awe and fear in religious worshipers.

5. Gargoyles—carvings of small deformed creatures squatting at the corners and crevices of Gothic cathedrals—were supposed to ward off evil spirits, but they often look more like demonic spirits themselves. Think of the gargoyle as a mascot of Gothic, and you will get an idea of the kind of imaginative distortion of reality that Gothic represents.

6. Gothic Literature It was an offshoot of Romantic Literature.
Gothic Literature was the predecessor of modern horror movies in both theme and style.
Gothic Literature put a spin on the Romantic idea of nature worship and nature imagery. Along with nature having the power of healing, Gothic writers gave nature the power of destruction. Frankenstein is full of the harsh reality of nature. Many storms arise in the novel, including storms the night the Creature comes to life.
The most common feature of Gothic Literature is the indication of mood through the weather.

7. Note the following metonymies that suggest mystery, danger, or the supernatural
wind, especially howling
sighs, moans, howls, eerie sounds
rain, especially blowing
clanking chains
doors grating on rusty hinges
gusts of wind blowing out lights
footsteps approaching
doors suddenly slamming shut
lights in abandoned rooms
crazed laughter
characters trapped in a room
baying of distant dogs (or wolves?)
ruins of buildings
thunder and lightning

8. Metonymies
One word or phrase is substituted for another which it’s closely associated with…
“crown” = “royalty”
“oval office” = “presidency”
“give me a hand” = “help me”

9. The Beginning
1764- Horace Walpole publishes The Castle of Otranto: A Gothic Story anonymously
Contains essentially all the elements associated with the genre
Best-seller
Had remodeled his home in “Gothick” style
Said that the inspiration of his story was a dream that was so haunting, he had to write it down

10. Basic Plot Structure for a Gothic Novel
Action in the Gothic novel often takes place at night, or at least in a claustrophobic, depressing environment.
Ascent (up a mountain or high staircase);
Descent (into a dungeon, cave, underground chambers or labyrinth) or falling off a precipice; secret passage; hidden doors;
Evil Elements such as physical decay, skulls, cemeteries, and other images of death; ghosts; revenge; family curse; blood and gore; torture; the Doppelganger (evil twin or double), etc.

11. Gothic Conventions Murder Death Suicide Ghosts Demons Gloomy settings
Family secrets
Dungeons
Curses
Torture
Vampires
Spirits
Castles
Tombs
Terror

12. Elements of Gothic Literature
1. Setting:
Often set in Medieval times
Dark, mysterious, evil tone
Dark castles, palaces, chambers, haunted mansions
Usually very large, but seems claustrophobic
Isolated setting
All come together to emphasize the sense of evil
Probably most identifiable and defining characteristic

13. 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.

14. Elements of Gothic Literature
2. An atmosphere of mystery or suspense
Feeling of being threatened or fearful
Plot is built around a mystery (such as unknown parentage, a disappearance, or some other inexplicable event)
This is achieved by the next three elements…

15. Elements of Gothic Literature
3. An ancient prophecy
Usually connected with the castle or its inhabitants
Obscure, partial, or confusing
The characters struggle to understand

16. Elements of Gothic Literature
4. Omens, visions
Character may have a disturbing dream/vision
Some phenomenon may be seen as an omen of coming events
If the statue of the lord of the manor falls over, it may predict his death

17. Elements of Gothic Literature
5. Supernatural or otherwise inexplicable events
Dramatic or amazing events occur
Such as ghosts or giants, or inanimate objects (such as a suit of armor or painting) coming to life
In some works, the events are ultimately given a natural explanation, while in others the events are truly supernatural

18. Elements of Gothic Literature
6. High, overwrought emotion
Narration may be highly sentimental
Characters are often overcome by anger, sorrow, surprise, and especially, terror.
Suffer from raw nerves and a feelings of impending doom
Crying and emotional speeches are frequent
Breathlessness and panic are common
Who does this in “The Fall…?”

19. Elements of Gothic Literature
7. Women in distress
Female characters often face events that leave them fainting, terrified, screaming, and/or sobbing
Lonely, pensive, and oppressed heroine, often the central figure
Her sufferings are even more pronounced and the focus of attention than the other characters in the story

20. Elements of Gothic Literature
8. Women threatened by a powerful, tyrannical male
A male character (king, lord of the manor, father) has the power to demand the female character/s do something intolerable
May be commanded to marry someone she does not love , or commit a crime, keeps her locked away

21. Elements of Gothic Literature
9. The metonymy of gloom and horror
Metonymy is a subtype of metaphor, in which something (like rain) is used to stand for something else (like sorrow).
Metaphors use words. Metonymy uses images and sound

22. Note the following metonymies that suggest mystery, danger, or the supernatural
wind, especially howling
sighs, moans, howls, eerie sounds
rain, especially blowing
clanking chains
doors grating on rusty hinges
gusts of wind blowing out lights
footsteps approaching
doors suddenly slamming shut
lights in abandoned rooms
crazed laughter
characters trapped in a room
baying of distant dogs (or wolves?)
ruins of buildings
thunder and lightning

23. Elements of Gothic Literature
10. Unreliable Narrator
Character telling the story isn’t trustworthy
Villain narrates
Narrator is or goes insane as the story goes on
Narrator has limited information

24. Criticism Gothic tradition has not been very highly regarded
Attracted many “big” writers: Keats, Melville, Faulkner
but it is usually not these works that are highlighted
Women also wrote in this genre
Jane Austin (Northanger Abbey), Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (Frankenstein)

25. Revivals 1818: Frankenstein 1897: Dracula
1960’s: Gothic was the best-selling mass market fiction
1970-present: Stephen King, Dean R. Koontze
2005: biggest money making movie genre, averaging $75 million per movie in box office sales

26. Works Used
Bayer-Berenbaum, Linda. “Elements of a Gothic.” Horror. Ed. Michael Stuprich. San Diego: Greenhaven Press,
“Door: Metal: Squeaky Metal Restroom Door in Building: Close: Slow Creak.” Sound Ideas
Unitedstreaming. 17 April
The Gothic Imagination. Ruthford: Associated University Press, Ltd., 1982.
“Gothic Architecture.” Wikipedia Online March 2005
Harris, Robert. “Elements of the Gothic Novel.” VirtualSalt March 2005.
Williams, Anne. “The Gothic Novel.” Horror. Ed. Michael Stuprich. San Diego:
Greenhaven Press,
Wolfreys, Julian. Victoria Haunting: Spectrality, Gothic, the Uncanny and Literature.
Houndsmills: Palgrave, 2001.