Victorian Gothic Literature: Scientific vs. Medieval Thinking

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.

To what extent is Frankenstein typical of gothic literature? In you answer make close references to its context and Mary Shelly's use of language. This essay will assess how typical of the gothic genre writings is Mary Shelly's "Frankenstein". The novel was written at a time when electricity was first discovered and Galvanism was being explored, mainly for medical reasons. People at this time were ignorant and sceptical of medicine and so most people would have been disgusted by these studies.

Bram Stoker’s Dracula Bram Stoker’s Dracula is a classic example of Gothic writing. Gothic writing was very popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. In the early centuries, Gothic writing would frighten the audience and it was also used as a style of architecture. Dracula, which was first published in 1897, would definitely cause a shock as there was a supernatural being, roaming around sucking people’s blood by the neck. Gothic literature usually includes vampires, monsters or some type of ancient mystical creature.

Instead of conforming to this perception, people were only led to believe the word to mean “dark and ominous”. Gothic architecture, with the foreboding atmosphere posed around it, correlates with the Gothic novel because it has been a prevalent backdrop to gothic novels in the 19th century, such as Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. These Gothic horror stories were some of the first examples of the horror genre, and are therefore vital for the understanding this field. In its historical context, the gothic horror genre is believed to have emerged as a response to a time of rational thought, the Enlightenment or the Age of Reason. This intellectual movement a... ... middle of paper ... ...tablished in the modern horror genre, thus it is practical to observe the archetypes of the Gothic novel as well.

Of Mice and Men. New York, NY: Penguin, 1993. Print. Steinbeck, John. "Chapter 06."

One of the genre were supernatural features are most common is Gothic novel and vampire stories. Vampire lives are full of supernatural events and characteristics. They themselves are supernatural. By reading vampire fiction, people recklessly drop into the abyss of darkness and magic that cannot be explained and understood in natural or scientific way. This supernatural atmosphere attracts the readers and makes them to wish to see it by their own eyes even if it frightens.

Both plots contain elements that shock and amaze the reader by introducing them to ideas not normally seen in most novels. The dark nature in both stories can be startling, but are the central components and are used to make for a more interesting and intriguing story for the reader. Though a horror story is more common in this day and age, a story to the effect of Frankenstein was unheard of in 1818 when the book was written. Both novels have a powerful effect on the mind and imagination of the reader. In Frankenstein before the creation Shelley says, "Who shall conceive the horrors of my secret toil as I dabbled among the unhallowed damps of the grave or tortured the living animal to animate the lifeless clay?"(p.

How Bram Stoker Uses Gothic Conventions to Create an Atmosphere of Suspense and Fear for the Reader Dracula is one of the most well-know novels, it was written by Abraham Stoker. At the time Dracula was released in 1897, people regarded it as being a romantic horror, with some elements of fantasy and also it was especially famous for it's gothic conventions. In modern times the term 'gothic' can be regarded as being barbarous, offensive and uncouth. Although many people may not regard it as being scary it is still associated with the 'unknown'. In the late 18th and early 19th century, gothic ways of living were very common in the Eastern part of Europe, especially in the medieval times.

Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein has been deemed a classic gothic novel. Her monster has frightened many generations throughout the ages, and lingers as a warning of science gone too far. But why did her monster survive the ages? I believe that Mary Shelley's monster managed to hold our attention and chill us to the bone, because she weaved a tale that incorporated the genres of gothic, and romantic literature into a narrative of complete terror, and psychological torment that managed to surpass any other gothic literature of her time. Gothic Literature was a genre of writing created in the 1780's in order to give form to the impulses and fears of all mankind.

Even though Dracula was published many years late , it brought a whole other type of literature to the board. In this century there was a fascination with Gothic horror and these two novels fit in perfectly. All throughout the Dracula, a feeling of failure and doom prevails because of his supernatural powers. Dracula ... ... middle of paper ... ...n. As you can see, the evil features are in both Dracula and Frankenstein, but the presentation of this evil is different in both novels. Rarely has another novel been able to come close to the dismay that the witness experiences in Dracula.