Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein English 12 AP Elements of the Gothic Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein English 12 AP

On the Gothic… “Gothicism insists that what is customarily hallowed as real by society and its language is but a small portion of a greater reality of monstrous proportion and immeasurable power” (Bayer-Berenbaum).

On the Gothic… Gothic is a genre which fulfills the “strange human craving for feeling afraid” (Woolfe).

The Age of Reason Sometimes referred to as the Neoclassical Period Represented: Renewed focus on classics (Rome) Focus on science and philosophy

The Age of Reason Rome and Roman culture represented civilization and order.

The Age of Reason Rene Descartes: Cogito ergo sum. I think therefore I am. The rational being, was a supreme being.

Origins of the Gothic… The Gothic movement represented a reaction to the Age of Reason & Enlightenment

Origins of the Gothic… Gothic is a reference to the “Goths” – the Visigoths and Ostrogoths who sacked and destroyed the Roman Empire.

Origins of the Gothic… This destruction represented the overthrow of reason in favor of the wild, barbarous, and chimerical – the Gothic

Origins of the Gothic… The Age of Reason sparked not only a resurgence of classical thought, but classical architecture as well. Simple lines and shapes

Origins of the Gothic… The Gothic style of architecture incorporated elaborate designs: vaulted ceilings, flying buttresses, etc..

Origins of the Gothic… The Gothic literary movement followed suit… abandoning the rational for the irrational and mysterious…

The Gothic Novel The height of the Gothic movement in literature was from 1790-1830. The Gothic movement has never completely dissipated – Stephen King, etc…

Elements of the Gothic Novel The gothic genre is characterized by a series of commonly held characteristics. A novel need not present all of the following characteristics to labeled “Gothic.”

The Setting Setting Typically set in mansions or medieval castles containing secret passages and trap doors.

The Setting Gothic novels may also be set in wild landscapes or wastelands.

The Setting Evokes an atmosphere horror and dread Portrays deterioration of the world Emphasis on decay, ruin, and death.

Gothic Characters Protagonist Isolated from society Characterized by fall from grace Succumbed to temptation Saved by union with loved one

Gothic Characters Villain Epitome of evil Characterized by Fall from Grace, or inherent malevolence

Gothic Characters The Wanderer Epitome of isolation Wanders the earth in perpetual exile “Exile” typically a form of divine punishment

Gothic Characters Women in Distress Lonely, pensive, and oppressed heroine “Damsel in Distress” Threatened by powerful, impulsive, tyrannical male

Gothic Characters Doubles or Doppelgangers Meaning "double walker" a doppelganger is a shadow-self that accompanies every human. Doppelgangers can be mischievous or malicious.

Supernatural Events Characterized by supernatural events: ghosts, chimerical creatures, objects coming to life Marked by unnatural events, or acts of nature

Tone Highly sentimental Characters often overcome by anger, sorrow, surprise, and/or fear

Tone Characters suffer from raw nerves and impending doom Manic depressive quality

Theme Cosmic Struggle: polar opposites struggle Over-Reacher: Sin of Pride, Delusions of Grandeur

Themes Guilt: hero haunted by guilt Violence against Innocents Death

Structure and Language Story within a story within a story Language Florid language is employed Detailed description of setting, characters, actions, etc. Aids the establishment of tone