Super natural appearances and effects, such as ghost’s and monsters are a part of all people’s deepest fears whether they want to admit it or not. The elements of Gothic literature tap into our need for the agony between what’s real and what’s fantasy. I even think that it releases and reflects our need to search for the identity of our inner Gothic. Now a days Gothic is looked at as a way people dress and being weird almost in a way of it being a disease in the brain. Gothics weren't always perceived in that way, it was a way that allowed people to express their true beliefs, desires and most importantly their inner fears. The genre of Gothics is much more than just a simple collection of horror stories, even if they do place a rather large emphasis on mystery and fear. The term Gothic originally used to describe both art, and architecture, it later spread into the world of literature and writings. They all had extreme emotion and dark, depressing themes and ideas. Though many people in our time may never fully appreciate what the Gothic era gave to us, or understand the dark themes they present I will. The Gothic era just like the many horror movies and books that I love so much the Gothics have a way of pulling a person like me completely into the story they are trying to provide to us as the reader. Gothic literature helps us to exercise our minds by making us dig deep and determine our own inner truths and fears. With this idea we need to learn to broaden our perspectives and to think critically of the piece, rather than basing our judgments off of just what it is that we are reading. The use of extreme and dramatic emotions in Gothic writings really makes us as the reader think about how the reading affects us on the insid... ... middle of paper ... ...King. Even as the years keep progressing and the horror genre sadly keeps progressing and moving from the great Gothics that came before it, no matter what there will always be that exponential influence from the Gothics and a standard that it will forever be held to. Gothic literature has had many different effects on the people, writers and even the way that it is perceived over the years. The great elements inside a Gothic story will never change or waiver, their will forever be that supernatural effect or idea, the different reverences to death and decay throughout it, and the underlying sense of suspense threw out the whole literary work and that overall dark tone to the story. Throughout time we as a country and a race have developed an even greater understanding of what Gothic literature was and why it has been deemed so important throughout literary history.
Gothic Literature was a natural progression from romanticism, which had existed in the 18th Century. Initially, such a ‘unique’ style of literature was met with a somewhat mixed response; although it was greeted with enthusiasm from members of the public, literary critics were much more dubious and sceptical.
When coming to the conclusion, it is interesting a range of opinions about whether or not Gothic Literature is losing his popularity or is still popular as ever. A range of opinions inform the judgment to be made about Gothic Literature. Overall, the responses gathered come up with the idea that Gothic Literature is losing its popularity, although, according to figure 2.2 this is supported by figures made in 2007 to 2008 which establishes that since then there have been more novels that have come out which either support the argument that gothic literature is popular or not.
Gothic texts are typically characterized by a horrifying and haunting mood, in a world of isolation and despair. Most stories also include some type of supernatural events and/or superstitious aspects. Specifically, vampires, villains, heroes and heroines, and mysterious architecture are standard in a gothic text. Depending upon the author, a gothic text can also take on violent and grotesque attributes. As an overall outlook, “gothic literature is an outlet for the ancient fears of humanity in an age of reason” (Sacred-Texts). Following closely to this type of literature, Edgar Allan Poe uses a gloomy setting, isolation, and supernatural occurrences throughout “The Fall of the House of Usher”.
The definition of the Horror genre differs completely to the Gothic genre. This idea of how the Gothic novel transformed from various architectures based around impending castles and morality tales, to the idea of monsters, fear, and repugnance. Therefore, it is interesting to notice the change from how the genre has developed from arguably the 17th century to the 20th century, where vampires, werewolf’s, and other monsters are very popular with teen audiences especially.
The term ‘Gothic’ conjures a range of possible meanings, definitions and associations. It explicitly denotes certain historical and cultural phenomena. Gothicism was part of the Romantic Movement that started in the eighteenth century and lasted about three decades into the nineteenth century. For this essay, the definition of Gothic that is applicable is: An 18th century literary style characterized by gloom and the supernatural. In the Gothic novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, a wide range of issues are explored. Frankenstein represents an entirely new vision of the female Gothic, along with many other traditional themes such as religion, science, colonialism and myth.
Gothic literature was developed during the eighteenth and nineteenth century of the Gothic era when war and controversy was too common. It received its name after the Gothic architecture that was becoming a popular trend in the construction of buildings. As the buildings of daunting castles and labyrinths began, so did the beginning foundation of Gothic literature. The construction of these buildings will later become an obsession with Gothic authors. For about 300 years before the Renaissance period, the construction of these castles and labyrinths continued, not only in England, but also in Gothic stories (Landau 2014). Many wars and controversies, such as the Industrial Revolution and Revolutionary War, were happening at this time, causing the Gothic literature to thrive (“Gothic Literature” 2011). People were looking for an escape from the real world and the thrill that Gothic literature offered was exactly what they needed. Gothic literature focuses on the horrors and the dark sides to the human brain, such as in Mary Shelley’s book Frankenstein. Gothic literature today, as well as in the past, has been able to separate itself apart from other types of literature with its unique literary devices used to create fear and terror within the reader.
Kelly Hurley recognised “within this genre one may witness the relentless destruction of the human”. (Hurley, 1996) The ‘destruction’ of the characters minds, alongside the exposure of repressed thoughts and passions is a prevalent and crucial facet of gothic texts. I agree to a certain extent that the novels I have read and studied on this module explore and demonstrate the release and escape of concealed anxieties and desires that characters bury deep in their unconscious. The inevitable release of these anxieties, passions and desires creates a climatic and eventful, often terrifying story, which the gothic novel usually revolves around. However, I struggle to completely agree with this statement as the gothic investigates more than just
Gothic literature is fiction body text that illustrates collection of more than one gothic antithesis in it, to produce the meaning of the text. Dracula is one of the best examples of gothic literature because it the originator of the vampire myth. And uses elements such as mysterious castles, stormy/dark sky, dark interiors, and most importantly the monster “Count Dracula.” Monsters are the most important aspects of the gothic theme because they are the ones who run and demonstrate the techniques that writers use to produce a moving psychological experience for the readers. And of course, bringing the fear of the monsters brings societies and cultures together for long periods of time.
The authors in all stories utilize the gothic elements: psychological issues, supernatural, and violence to give a reader an understanding of their unstable state, to create suspense and mystery, and to show a character’s true motives.
Gothic Elements are vital to the foundation and development of Gothic Literature. These element provide a sense of realness and depth to a story. These Elements include death, entrapment, and fascination with the past.
Word by word, gothic literature is bound to be an immaculate read. Examining this genre for what it is could be essential to understanding it. “Gothic” is relating to the extinct East Germanic language, people of which known as the Goths. “Literature” is defined as a written work, usually with lasting “artistic merit.” Together, gothic literature combines the use of horror, death, and sometimes romance. Edgar Allan Poe, often honored with being called the king of horror and gothic poetry, published “The Fall of House Usher” in September of 1839. This story, along with many other works produced by Poe, is a classic in gothic literature. In paragraph nine in this story, one of our main characters by the name of Roderick Usher,
Gothic writing was usually written in mysterious and ominous tine. Most Gothic novels were filled with death and terror. The authors of Gothic novels most commonly filled their books with omens and foreshadows, showing the dark side of mankind.
Punter David, ‘The Literature of Terror’, in A History of Gothic Fictions from 1765 to the Present Day, The Modern Gothic. Harlow, eds. (UK: Pearson Education, 1996)
...als these events within their novels. Sometimes leaving the reader scared, frightened or mysterious. Southern Gothic literature is a group of words bonded together to set a mood, message, plot, etc. Overall Southern Gothic Literature can be interesting and creepy at the same time, its style has been practiced for many years by southern writers which are located in the American South. Its popular writings have grew from generation to generation and is now a world wide genre.
Gothic storytelling is a form of writing that usually includes horror, death, and romance. People write gothic style for the thrill of having a little bit of scariness in their story. Gothic style can be shown through the imagery and themes. The Fall of the House of Usher and Crimson Peak are two stories that show gothic writing though the imagery of the houses and supernatural.