Gothic Romanticism
Definition: Definition: Dark romanticism which focuses on perceived darkness in the human soul and the embrace of sin and evil in the society. Dark romanticism which focuses on perceived darkness in the human soul and the embrace of sin and evil in the society. Origin Origin Began during social upheaval in England Idealistic views of economic and political conditions contradicted realistic state of economy and politics
Elements of Gothic Romanticism Ancestral Curse Ancestral Curse Anti-Catholicism Anti-Catholicism Body snatching Body snatching Cemetery Cemetery Claustrophobia Claustrophobia Devil Devil Doppelganger Doppelganger Dreaming/Nightmares Dreaming/Nightmares Entrapment/Imprisonment Entrapment/Imprisonment The Explained Supernatural The Explained Supernatural Exorcism Exorcism Grotesque Grotesque
Elements of Gothic Romanticism The Haunted House or castle Incubus/sucubus Mist Mystery Necromancy The Pursued Protagonist Revenge Solopsism Somnambulism The Sublime Superstition Transformation/Metamorphosis Unreliable Narrator
Gothic Romantic Architecture Derived from the barbaric, German tribe….Goths Derived from the barbaric, German tribe….Goths Majestic, unrestrained architectural style Majestic, unrestrained architectural style Excess of savage, often grotesque ornamentation Excess of savage, often grotesque ornamentation Vaulting arches with spires reaching to the heavens Vaulting arches with spires reaching to the heavens Wild carvings depicting humanity in conflict Wild carvings depicting humanity in conflict with supernatural forces with supernatural forces
Romanticism turns Gothic Interest in the inner workings of the human mind (psyche) Interest in the inner workings of the human mind (psyche) Belief that contemplation of the natural world is means of discovering the truth that lies behind mere reality Belief that contemplation of the natural world is means of discovering the truth that lies behind mere reality Imagination is part of contemplation of natural world Imagination is part of contemplation of natural world Reveals that failure happens when one plans everything and leaves nothing to chance Reveals that failure happens when one plans everything and leaves nothing to chance Supernatural happenings/occurances and natural facts are symbols of spiritual facts which emphasizes the tragic dimensions of life Supernatural happenings/occurances and natural facts are symbols of spiritual facts which emphasizes the tragic dimensions of life Awe at human nature, human struggles, suffering, mortality, humanity’s relationship to God Awe at human nature, human struggles, suffering, mortality, humanity’s relationship to God Emphasis on mystery Emphasis on mystery Belief in reality of Evil Belief in reality of Evil Appeal/address innate(inborn) and derived(experience produced) fears Appeal/address innate(inborn) and derived(experience produced) fears
Romantic Motifs Haunted House/Castle Haunted House/Castle Reflects hero’s psychological character Reflects hero’s psychological character Madness Madness Reflects realities beyond rational comprehension Reflects realities beyond rational comprehension Mad characters speak truths we wish to deny Mad characters speak truths we wish to deny Blood Blood Symbolizes paradox of human condition Symbolizes paradox of human condition Represents life/death and guilt/innocence Represents life/death and guilt/innocence
American Gothic Developed from Puritan thought, yet has a mystical, melancholy twist Developed from Puritan thought, yet has a mystical, melancholy twist Original Sin Original Sin Innate Depravity Innate Depravity Edgar Allan Poe Edgar Allan Poe Deals with the mystical realm and a derangement of the senses Deals with the mystical realm and a derangement of the senses Nathaniel Hawthorne Nathaniel Hawthorne Deals with the psychological effects of sin Deals with the psychological effects of sin Herman Melville Herman Melville Deals with the archetypal conflict between good and evil Deals with the archetypal conflict between good and evil