Gothic Literature The Elements

What is Gothic Literature?  Ruin, decay, death, terror and chaos  Dark side of nature  Irrational human behavior

Characteristics  Intricate plot  Stock characters  The “Double”  Subterranean labyrinths  Ruined castles  Supernatural occurrences

Themes

Terror vs. Horror  Terror grows out of suspense  Horror produces disgust

Appearance vs. Reality  Events appear to be supernatural  Realistic explanations are offered  Dreamlike / nightmarish state  Narrator or characters may appear to be sane but….

Confinement  Claustrophobia  Entrapment of the hero/heroine  Subterranean passage way  Elicits both horror and terror

Justice vs. Injustice  Guilt and Reparation of sins  Justice Triumphs

Styles

Setting  Most important device  Emotion  External conditions provide much of the suspense

Narrative Manner  Complex and complicated  Woven around some theme or idea  Epistolary  First person

Mood  Fear  Anxiety  Terror  Horror  Nightmares