The History of Gothic Literature Gothic Architecture Gothic architecture emerged in the late medieval period -12th-16th Century. The main characteristics of Gothic architecture are stone structures, large expanses of glass, clustered columns, sharply pointed spires, intricate sculptures and pointed arches. In a quest for creating atmosphere, gothic novels are often set in large, imposing gothic buildings. Ruined gothic buildings can symbolise many human emotions . The History of Gothic Literature The Goths were an Eastern European tribe who repeatedly attacked the Roman Empire in the 3rd Century. As a genre, gothic fiction is generally believed to have been invented by the English author Horace Walpole, with his 1764 novel The Castle of Otranto. Horace Walpole first applied the word ‘Gothic’ to his novel to mean something like ‘barbarous’, as well as ‘deriving from the Middle Ages’. The gothic novel arose at a time of great discovery and exploration in the fields of science, religion, and industry; people both revered and questioned the existence of God or a higher power. Gothic novels allowed writers and readers to explore these ideas of the unknown through the medium of storytelling. Modern Gothic Famous characters from Gothic literature – Frankenstein, Dracula and Jekyll & Hyde. Famous British literature featuring the gothic – A Christmas Carol (Charles Dickens), Wuthering Heights (Emily Bronte), Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte), Northanger Abbey (Jane Austen) Iconic horror films following the gothic tradition: Sleepy Hollow, The Haunting, The Shining, The Phantom of the Opera Gothic rock subculture developed in the 1980s (after punks) – the appeal for ‘goths’ of dark, mysterious, morbid dress, mood, imagery and music links closely with the traditions of gothic literature. Common gothic features The supernatural Pathetic fallacy Mystery and obscurity Terror and horror Extreme characters (villains, victims, fallen angels Damsels in distress An underlying love story Grand, old, ruined buildings Entrapment Scientific discovery CHAPTER Frankenstein Plot Letters Walton tells sister about new discoveries and natural science and meets VF Chp 1-2 F’s background and love of science Chp3-5 F to university; his mother dies; F discovers secret of life and makes monster Chp 6-8 F rejects monster; William dies; Justine executed Chp 9-10 Chp 11-12 Monster’s story; DeLacey family, learning to read/speak Chp13-14 Monster learns humans judge by appearance, angry and seeks revenge Chp 15-17 Monster finishes story; asks for female, F agrees to create Chp 18-20 F creates female monster and destroys, Monster curses Chp 21-24 Clerval murdered, Elizabeth murdered, F looks for monster, dies Frankenstein Characters Frankenstein Eponymous protagonist; scientist; overreacher? Monster ‘To be feared or pitied? Elizabeth Idealised sister/wife; incest? Clerval Friend of F Walton Tells the story; doubles F in many ways DeLacey family Reveal judgemental nature of humans Justine Showcases F’s inner turmoil/moral dilemma William Represents innocent victim Key Gothic Terminology Gothic supernatural pathetic fallacy personification obscurity horror/terror isolation obsession tension transgression intrigue opposition atmosphere The Monkey’s Paw tells the story of a family that receives the mummified paw of a monkey from a guest, who tells them that whoever possesses the monkey's paw gets three wishes. However, when they try to use the wishes, there are horrible consequences. The Masque of the Red Death tells the story of Prince Prospero and is set in his castle. Prospero and 1,000 other nobles have taken refuge in this walled abbey to escape the Red Death, a terrible plague with gruesome symptoms that has swept over the land.