The Gothic Elements in Chain of Fools The use of gothic properties in popular forms of entertainment has not yet departed. From movies such as Dark City, produced by Alex Proyas, to music stars like Marilyn Manson, the use of gothic tendencies simply appeals to large audiences. In Chain of Fools by Steven Womak, some of these gothic properties also exist. What purpose do these gothic elements serve for the story line and setting? Furthermore what is the relationship with the popular fascination of these gothic characteristics. By identifying these gothic components, one can initiate the understanding of the attraction and function of certain gothic properties. One of the first essential gothic qualities deals with social order issues. Betty Jameson, the client, is a member of the upper class. Betty and her family live in Belle Mead, one of the most affluent sections of Nashville. This allows Harry Denton the private investigator, and the reader to see "how the other half lives." Harry is a part of the middle class, and is curious about the rich. This common interest in wealth secures a relationship with the audience. The Jameson's two-story Colonial mansion is another gothic feature that works with the concept of social classes. Harry even sees a discrepancy in social placement with the maid, Emily. Describing her to have "spent her life in service to wealth, walking the several blocks each evening to catch a bus that would carry her home to North Nashville, where she would securely lock her doors and close the shutters before the sun set (5)." This depressing and pessimistic irony among social classes strongly reflects a gothic nature. The mansion and these social observations occur at the beginning of the... ... middle of paper ... ...rk secrets might be for those who want to be suspended for the sake of disbelief. The dark gothic nature of the mansion and the cinema along with the ever-popular strip joints might entice those seeking isolation and excitement in their escapism. Finally, for the cynic, the social commentary that is offered, does not bring about hope. There are many facets for the explanation of the attraction of certain gothic tendencies. One could be adolescents searching for identity and the perception of isolation. Another might be the middle aged faced with mortality and the obscurity of fate. Perhaps an optimist could simply desire a change of pace. Whatever the reason Gothic tendencies assures no promises and shows no mercy. Dark as it may be, the bite of reality is not too far behind. Work Cited Womack, Steven. Chain of Fools. New York: Ballantine, 1996.
What gothic features help develop the dark and mysterious nature of the film The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen? There are a number of gothic aspects of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen that help to develop the dark and mysterious nature of the film. Examples of this can be found in the characters and how the dramatic contrasts between good and bad are displayed through gothic personality traits, their physical appearances and mysterious pasts. This type of gothic can also be found in many locations in the text that portray an essence of the unknown, and also possess a dark emptiness that creates fear and therefore building gothic potential. Finally, the vast appearance of metonymy displayed within the text adds to the dark and mysterious nature of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.
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”.
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.
Gothic literature, such as The Night Circus, “The Devil and Tom Walker”, “Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment”, and “Masque of the Red Death”, are known for incorporating gothic elements such as the supernatural, death, and fascination with the past.
Kathy Prendergast, further contends, that it is this convergence of the Gothic art style and Romantic genre which was quintessential of the nineteenth century era. Both collided to spotlight terror, valuelessness emotion and vulnerability. Both collided to perpetrate a sense of wonderment in the reader/viewer, a sense of helplessness in the face of some superior force. The Gothic architecture with its peculiarity, mystery and imperilment; the Gothic architecture with its a...
When Charlotte first arrives at the house she says “A colonial mansion, a hereditary estate, I would say a haunted house” (Stetson, 647). Immediately when Charlotte arrives she begins
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 blending of terror and romance in Gothic Literature was used in a unique combination to attract and entice the reader into the story. The terror in the literature helps the reader explore their imagination and form their own picture setting of what is happening. Using romance in the story also keeps the reader's attention because of the unknown and the curiosity of what happens next. The Gothic writing became popular after the Romantic period because readers were still a...
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,
Gothicism has been a very popular genre of book, through past and present, and Bram Stoker’s, Dracula, is no exception. One of the most widely read novels of all time, Dracula possesses all the features of a classic gothic novel. The various dark and dreary features throughout the entire novel paints a perfect gothic picture for the reader and contribute to the mixture of feelings One gets while reading Dracula. The first feature of Gothicism found in Dracula is a constant and oppressive darkness. This feature is a reoccurring theme that is related to everything in the novel from the characters to the events that take place. Another feature found in Dracula is presence of a ‘supernatural’ villain. Supernaturalism also surrounds the villain, Count Dracula in the countryside of Transylvania with the numerous superstitions that consume the local inhabitants. Finally, the reference to sleeping, dreaming and the blurriness of reality faced by some of the characters adds eeriness and unrest, enhancing the gothic premise of the novel. These examples are all traits of which gothic literature consists of. Through this paper, I will prove that due to the use of darkness, the supernatural and the blurred sense of reality, Dracula is a prime example of gothic literature.
Gothic elements are used to show suspense, symbolism, and drama, while also setting dark and twisted tones about the story and its characters. In the passage "The Fall of the House of Usher" the author uses Gothic elements to entice the reader with details of ominous character persona and setting.
Gothicism is a sub- genre for many Romantic writers. This genre includes Gothic conventions such as macabre emotions of terror, fear, paranoia, mystery, ancient prophecy, omens and the supernatural(Shodganda, 2014, p. 39). Gothic literature constitutes of horror and romance as a primary theme. The nature of the French Revolution in 1789 encouraged many writers to explore the morbid aspects of Gothic literature. Furthermore, the revolution had a significant impact on Romantic writers because they were concerned with the turbulent effects of the events and its aftermath. However, there has been arguments on how Romanticism is related to Gothic literature. This paper will therefore discuss the relationship between Romanticism and Gothic literature through the works of Mary Shelley and Lord Byron. These writers explored the notions of Gothic literature in their work. Their thorough examination within their text has enabled readers to examine and interpret the relationship between Romanticism and Gothic Literature.
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 writing is related to a style of fiction that deals with the mysterious or grotesque; Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Ministers Black Veil” is classified as a dark romantic work because it contains the themes of sin, guilt, and looking at the darker side of human life. He had trouble from his early life, his dreary adulthood, and his fascinations with common man. His early and more unsuccessful work is from his silent and productive years.
Martin, Robert K and Eric Savoy. American gothic. Iowa City: University of Iowa Press, 1998. Print.