Romanticism & the Genre of Gothic Literature

Supernatural & Gothic Literary Themes Supernatural motifs -Common throughout literature but most prominent in the the late 18 th & early 19 th centuries. - Gothic literature is devoted primarily to stories of horror, fantasy, and the "darker" supernatural forces. -

 "Gothic"  from "Goth," the name of one of the barbaric Germanic tribes that invaded the Roman Empire.  Gothic literature  named for its similarities to medieval cathedrals  unrestrained architectural style with often savage or grotesque ornamentation

 The architecture symbolizes humanity’s division between the finite, physical world and the spiritual forces of the infinite.  The Gothic mind-set embodies an ambition to transcend earthly human limitations and reach the divine.

central GOTHIC theme  The human condition is a paradox – a dilemma of duality  This dilemma is depicted as the human condition being an ambiguous mixture of good and evil that cannot be understood completely by human reason.

Gothic Literary Motifs A motif is a repeated theme, image, or literary device.

The Double or Doppelganger Defined as "a second self or alternate identity, sometimes, but not always, a physical twin. (Frederick S. Frank) Gothic doppelgangers often haunt and threaten the rational mind of the victim to whom they become attached.

The Double or Doppelganger

The double motif involves a comparison or contrast between two characters represent ing opposing forces in human nature. Double characters are often paired in common relationships, (twins, siblings, spouses, parent/child, hero/villain, creator/creature, etc.

Forbidden Knowledge or Power (a.k.a., the Faust Motif) :

Forbidden knowledge/power is often the Gothic protagonist’s goal. The Gothic "hero" tries to control the supernatural powers that mortals cannot understand. This usually leads to the hero’s "fall" or destruction.

Monster or Byronic Hero The “hero” in Gothic literature is often a villain. Isolated, the hero either becomes a monster or confronts a monster who is his double. He becomes a “Byronic hero" -- defying the rules of God’s universe and trying to transform himself into something like a god.

CHARACTERISTICS of a BYRONIC HERO  Emotionally conflicted or moody  High level of intelligence  Insightful  Mysterious, magnetic, and charismatic  Seductive and attractive  Self-critical & introspective  Self-destructive behavior  Social and sexual dominance  A distaste for social norms  An exile, outcast, or outlaw  Arrogant  Cunning  Cynical  “Dark” attributes  Disrespectful of rank  Sophisticated & well- educated  Struggles with integrity  Troubled past

Multiple Narrative/ Spiral Narrative The gothic narrative is often told through a series of secret manuscripts or multiple tales, each revealing a deeper secret; the narrative gradually spirals inward toward the hidden truth.

Dreams/Visions: Terrible truths are often revealed through dreams or visions. The hidden knowledge of the universe and of human nature emerges through dreams because, when the person sleeps, the supernatural, unreasonable world can break through. Dreams, in Gothic literature, express the dark, unconscious depths of the mind that are repressed by reason— truths that are too terrible to be comprehended by the conscious mind.

Signs/Omens: Reveal the intervention of cosmic forces and often represent psychological or spiritual conflict (e.g., flashes of lightning and violent storms might parallel some turmoil within a character’s mind).