The Dark Romantics Gothic Literature …and beyond

“Can we speak of ‘ghosts’ without transforming the whole world and ourselves, too, into phantoms?” Jean-Michale Rebaté

The Origins of the term Gothic (“Gothick”) Gothic Gothic Originally referred to the northern Gothic tribes that invaded Europe in the 4 th, 5 th, and 6 th centuries Originally referred to the northern Gothic tribes that invaded Europe in the 4 th, 5 th, and 6 th centuries Later applied to Renaissance architecture (critics thought the style originated with the Gothic tribe) Later applied to Renaissance architecture (critics thought the style originated with the Gothic tribe) Was considered ugly, barbaric, archaic Was considered ugly, barbaric, archaic

Gothic Architecture First Gothic Cathedral build in 1144 First Gothic Cathedral build in 1144 Gargoyles (originally for religious buildings) Gargoyles (originally for religious buildings) Vaulted ceilings Vaulted ceilings Structural ribbing (skeletal) Structural ribbing (skeletal) Stained glass Stained glass

Art Influences “The Nightmare” Johann Heinrick Fuseli

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

Elements of Gothic Literature 1. Setting 1. Setting Action takes place in or around an old castle Action takes place in or around an old castle Seems abandoned, or broken down Seems abandoned, or broken down Has secret passages, doors, rooms Has secret passages, doors, rooms Usually very large, but seems claustrophobic Usually very large, but seems claustrophobic

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

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

Elements of Gothic Literature 4. Omens, visions 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 5. Supernatural or otherwise inexplicable events Dramatic or amazing events occur Dramatic or amazing events occur Such as ghosts or giants, or inanimate objects (such as a suit of armor or painting) coming to life 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 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 6. High, overwrought emotion Narration may be highly sentimental Narration may be highly sentimental Characters are often overcome by anger, sorrow, surprise, and especially, terror. Characters are often overcome by anger, sorrow, surprise, and especially, terror. Suffer from raw nerves and a feelings of impending doom Suffer from raw nerves and a feelings of impending doom Crying and emotional speeches are frequent Crying and emotional speeches are frequent Breathlessness and panic are common Breathlessness and panic are common

Elements of Gothic Literature 7. Women in distress 7. Women in distress Female characters often face events that leave them fainting, terrified, screaming, and/or sobbing Female characters often face events that leave them fainting, terrified, screaming, and/or sobbing Lonely, pensive, and oppressed heroine is often the central figure of the novel Lonely, pensive, and oppressed heroine is often the central figure of the novel Her sufferings are even more pronounced and the focus of attention than the other characters in the story 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 8. Women threatened by a powerful, tyrannical male One or more male characters has the power (king, lord of the manor, father, or guardian) to demand that one or more of the female characters do something intolerable One or more male characters has the power (king, lord of the manor, father, or guardian) to demand that one or more of the female characters do something intolerable The woman may be commanded to marry someone she does not love (it may even be the powerful male himself), or commit a crime The woman may be commanded to marry someone she does not love (it may even be the powerful male himself), or commit a crime

Elements of Gothic Literature 9. The metonymy of gloom and horror 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). Metonymy is a subtype of metaphor, in which something (like rain) is used to stand for something else (like sorrow). For example, the film industry likes to use metonymy as a quick shorthand, so we often notice that it is raining in funeral scenes. For example, the film industry likes to use metonymy as a quick shorthand, so we often notice that it is raining in funeral scenes. Note: that the following metonymies for "doom and gloom" all suggest some element of mystery, danger, or the supernatural… Note: that the following metonymies for "doom and gloom" all suggest some element of mystery, danger, or the supernatural…

Elements of Gothic Literature Wind, especially howling Wind, especially howling Doors grating on rusty hinges Doors grating on rusty hinges Footsteps approaching Footsteps approaching Gusts of wind blowing out lights Gusts of wind blowing out lights Characters trapped in a room Characters trapped in a room Baying of dogs (or wolves) Baying of dogs (or wolves) Thunder and/or lightning Thunder and/or lightning Rain Sighs, moans, howls Clanking chains Lights in abandoned rooms Gusts of wind blowing out lights Doors suddenly slamming shut Crazed laughter

What’s Your Favorite Scary Movie Think about a scary movie you enjoy… Think about a scary movie you enjoy… What scary movies have come out recently? What scary movies have come out recently? Now look back at all the elements of the genre Now look back at all the elements of the genre Which ones are evident in your favorite scary movie? Which ones are evident in your favorite scary movie?

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

Revivals 1897: Dracula 1897: Dracula 1960’s: Gothic was the best-selling mass market fiction 1960’s: Gothic was the best-selling mass market fiction 1970-present: Stephen King 1970-present: Stephen King

The Master: Poe Edgar Allan Poe is the master of gothic literature Edgar Allan Poe is the master of gothic literature He is famous for this use of personal tragedies, especially with women, in his work He is famous for this use of personal tragedies, especially with women, in his work Poe is most popular because of his mastery of fear, suspense, and Poe is most popular because of his mastery of fear, suspense, and

Poe’s biography As most authors do, Poe used his personal life as motivation to write… As most authors do, Poe used his personal life as motivation to write… Watch this video clip and look for the similarities between what you have read of “The Fall of the House of Usher” and his personal experiences.

Works Used Bayer-Berenbaum, Linda. “Elements of a Gothic.” Horror. Ed. Michael Stuprich. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, Bayer-Berenbaum, Linda. “Elements of a Gothic.” Horror. Ed. Michael Stuprich. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, “Door: Metal: Squeaky Metal Restroom Door in Building: Close: Slow Creak.” Sound Ideas “Door: Metal: Squeaky Metal Restroom Door in Building: Close: Slow Creak.” Sound Ideas Unitedstreaming. 17 April The Gothic Imagination. Ruthford: Associated University Press, Ltd., The Gothic Imagination. Ruthford: Associated University Press, Ltd., “Gothic Architecture.” Wikipedia Online March 2005 “Gothic Architecture.” Wikipedia Online March Harris, Robert. “Elements of the Gothic Novel.” VirtualSalt March Harris, Robert. “Elements of the Gothic Novel.” VirtualSalt March Williams, Anne. “The Gothic Novel.” Horror. Ed. Michael Stuprich. San Diego: Williams, Anne. “The Gothic Novel.” Horror. Ed. Michael Stuprich. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, Wolfreys, Julian. Victoria Haunting: Spectrality, Gothic, the Uncanny and Literature. Wolfreys, Julian. Victoria Haunting: Spectrality, Gothic, the Uncanny and Literature. Houndsmills: Palgrave, 2001.