Gothic Fiction

Gothic fiction is erotic at the root according to Punter. From your

reading of Frankenstein and Dracula how far would you agree with Punter's

interpretation.

"Gothic fiction is erotic at the root" according to Punter.

From your reading of Frankenstein and Dracula how far would you agree

with Punter's interpretation.

In your essay you should consider:

-· The author's portrayal of eroticism and sexuality (in all its forms)

through characters.

-· Relevant social/cultural concerns during the period the novels were

written.

During the 18th century and for a long time after poetry was regarded

as the most sophisticated and accomplished mode of the written word.

The Gothic novel, a relatively new form of literature was emerging

from the popular romances published to meet the demands of a of a

growing literacy population. Its popularity was also fuelled by the

accompanying developments in book production and distribution. At that

time however, the vast majority of critics regarded the Gothic novel

as distinctly inferior although this was certainly not the view of the

general public, especially the growing female readership. Furthermore,

several of the writers associated with the development of the gothic

novel were women such as Mary Shelley, Ann Radcliffe, Jane Austen and

Emily Brontë. This development was perhaps one of the largest social

and cultural concern during the era, the main focus behind this being

the male fear of sexual liberation.

Many of the early manifestations of what came to be called gothic were

not in the area of literature at all, but in art, architecture, and in

landscape gardening, art forms which provided the contexts for

literature. These manifestations of the Got...

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...otic references. In

her rewrite she changed the role of Elizabeth to a more sisterly role

and the incestuous nature of Victor and Elizabeth's relationship was

removed. This re-write shows the erotic sensibility which existed

during Mary Shelley's life, the already mild novel was seen to be too

erotic for the audience and the re-write was the result.

However, the question of whether Gothic literature is erotic at the

root still remains. There is certainly a wealth of imagery in

'Dracula' but less so in 'Frankenstein' to confirm this view. The

eroticism at the root of both novels is subtle never straying towards

pornographic levels. This is an accurate reflection on society's view

towards sex during the lives of Mary Shelley and Bram Stoker. To

conclude therefore I would agree with the view that at the root of

gothic literature there is an erotic element.