The Dark Romantics Gothic Literature Hard to determine an exact date Started with one novel published in 1764 Traditionalists say it ended with the end of Romanticism in 1820 Others say it is still going (Stephen King) 1760-1820…and beyond

The Origins of the term Gothic (“Gothick”) Originally referred to the northern Gothic tribes that invaded Europe in the 4th, 5th, and 6th centuries Later applied to Renaissance architecture (critics thought the style originated with the Gothic tribe) Was considered ugly, barbaric, archaic These Gothics had a history of pillaging and looting term became associated with savagery, cruelty eventually means lacking civility and taste 14-16 centuries Renaissance Revival in art and architecture Thought this type was unsophisticated

Gothic Context The gothic was first used as a Medieval, architectural term to describe a style of building that included gargoyles, scenes of Hell, and souls in torment. Artist Poe refers to traditional art emphasizes dark images (dark colors) women in distress some evil presences

Gothic Literary tradition came to be in part from the Gothic architecture of the Middle Ages. Gothic cathedrals with irregularly placed towers, and high stained-glass windows were intended to inspire awe and fear in religious worshipers.

Gargoyles—carvings of small deformed creatures squatting at the corners and crevices of Gothic cathedrals—were supposed to ward off evil spirits, but they often look more like demonic spirits themselves. Think of the gargoyle as a mascot of Gothic, and you will get an idea of the kind of imaginative distortion of reality that Gothic represents.

Gothic Literature It was an offshoot of Romantic Literature. Gothic Literature was the predecessor of modern horror movies in both theme and style. Gothic Literature put a spin on the Romantic idea of nature worship and nature imagery. Along with nature having the power of healing, Gothic writers gave nature the power of destruction. Frankenstein is full of the harsh reality of nature. Many storms arise in the novel, including storms the night the Creature comes to life. The most common feature of Gothic Literature is the indication of mood through the weather.

Note the following metonymies that suggest mystery, danger, or the supernatural wind, especially howling sighs, moans, howls, eerie sounds rain, especially blowing clanking chains doors grating on rusty hinges gusts of wind blowing out lights footsteps approaching doors suddenly slamming shut lights in abandoned rooms crazed laughter characters trapped in a room baying of distant dogs (or wolves?) ruins of buildings thunder and lightning

Metonymies One word or phrase is substituted for another which it’s closely associated with… “crown” = “royalty” “oval office” = “presidency” “give me a hand” = “help me”

The Beginning 1764- Horace Walpole publishes The Castle of Otranto: A Gothic Story anonymously Contains essentially all the elements associated with the genre Best-seller Had remodeled his home in “Gothick” style Said that the inspiration of his story was a dream that was so haunting, he had to write it down

Basic Plot Structure for a Gothic Novel Action in the Gothic novel often takes place at night, or at least in a claustrophobic, depressing environment. Ascent (up a mountain or high staircase); Descent (into a dungeon, cave, underground chambers or labyrinth) or falling off a precipice; secret passage; hidden doors; Evil Elements such as physical decay, skulls, cemeteries, and other images of death; ghosts; revenge; family curse; blood and gore; torture; the Doppelganger (evil twin or double), etc.

Gothic Conventions Murder Death Suicide Ghosts Demons Gloomy settings Family secrets Dungeons Curses Torture Vampires Spirits Castles Tombs Terror

Elements of Gothic Literature 1. Setting: Often set in Medieval times Dark, mysterious, evil tone Dark castles, palaces, chambers, haunted mansions Usually very large, but seems claustrophobic Isolated setting All come together to emphasize the sense of evil Probably most identifiable and defining characteristic

Importance of Setting The setting is greatly influential in Gothic novels. It not only evokes the atmosphere of horror and dread, but also portrays the deterioration of its world. The decaying, ruined scenery implies that at one time there was a thriving world. At one time the abbey, castle, or landscape was something treasured and appreciated. Now, all that lasts is the decaying shell of a once thriving dwelling.

Elements of Gothic Literature 2. An atmosphere of mystery or suspense Feeling of being threatened or fearful Plot is built around a mystery (such as unknown parentage, a disappearance, or some other inexplicable event) This is achieved by the next three elements…

Elements of Gothic Literature 3. An ancient prophecy Usually connected with the castle or its inhabitants Obscure, partial, or confusing The characters struggle to understand

Elements of Gothic Literature 4. Omens, visions Character may have a disturbing dream/vision Some phenomenon may be seen as an omen of coming events If the statue of the lord of the manor falls over, it may predict his death

Elements of Gothic Literature 5. Supernatural or otherwise inexplicable events Dramatic or amazing events occur Such as ghosts or giants, or inanimate objects (such as a suit of armor or painting) coming to life In some works, the events are ultimately given a natural explanation, while in others the events are truly supernatural

Elements of Gothic Literature 6. High, overwrought emotion Narration may be highly sentimental Characters are often overcome by anger, sorrow, surprise, and especially, terror. Suffer from raw nerves and a feelings of impending doom Crying and emotional speeches are frequent Breathlessness and panic are common Who does this in “The Fall…?”

Elements of Gothic Literature 7. Women in distress Female characters often face events that leave them fainting, terrified, screaming, and/or sobbing Lonely, pensive, and oppressed heroine, often the central figure Her sufferings are even more pronounced and the focus of attention than the other characters in the story

Elements of Gothic Literature 8. Women threatened by a powerful, tyrannical male A male character (king, lord of the manor, father) has the power to demand the female character/s do something intolerable May be commanded to marry someone she does not love , or commit a crime, keeps her locked away

Elements of Gothic Literature 9. The metonymy of gloom and horror Metonymy is a subtype of metaphor, in which something (like rain) is used to stand for something else (like sorrow). Metaphors use words. Metonymy uses images and sound

Note the following metonymies that suggest mystery, danger, or the supernatural wind, especially howling sighs, moans, howls, eerie sounds rain, especially blowing clanking chains doors grating on rusty hinges gusts of wind blowing out lights footsteps approaching doors suddenly slamming shut lights in abandoned rooms crazed laughter characters trapped in a room baying of distant dogs (or wolves?) ruins of buildings thunder and lightning

Elements of Gothic Literature 10. Unreliable Narrator Character telling the story isn’t trustworthy Villain narrates Narrator is or goes insane as the story goes on Narrator has limited information

Criticism Gothic tradition has not been very highly regarded Attracted many “big” writers: Keats, Melville, Faulkner but it is usually not these works that are highlighted Women also wrote in this genre Jane Austin (Northanger Abbey), Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (Frankenstein)

Revivals 1818: Frankenstein 1897: Dracula 1960’s: Gothic was the best-selling mass market fiction 1970-present: Stephen King, Dean R. Koontze 2005: biggest money making movie genre, averaging $75 million per movie in box office sales

Works Used Bayer-Berenbaum, Linda. “Elements of a Gothic.” Horror. Ed. Michael Stuprich. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2001. 72-83. “Door: Metal: Squeaky Metal Restroom Door in Building: Close: Slow Creak.” Sound Ideas. 2007. Unitedstreaming. 17 April 2007. http://www.unitedstreaming.com/>. The Gothic Imagination. Ruthford: Associated University Press, Ltd., 1982. “Gothic Architecture.” Wikipedia Online. 2005. 6 March 2005 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gothic_architecture. Harris, Robert. “Elements of the Gothic Novel.” VirtualSalt. 2005. 6 March 2005. http://www.virtualsalt.com/gothic.htm. Williams, Anne. “The Gothic Novel.” Horror. Ed. Michael Stuprich. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2001. 62-71. Wolfreys, Julian. Victoria Haunting: Spectrality, Gothic, the Uncanny and Literature. Houndsmills: Palgrave, 2001.