Gothic Literature An Introduction

Definition Gothic fiction is a genre or mode of literature that combines elements of both horror and romance. Gothicism's origin is attributed to English author Horace Walpole, with his 1764 novel The Castle of Otranto, subtitled ‘A Gothic Story’

Gothic Fiction Usually contains elements of horror and romance. Some famous examples are ‘Dracula’ by Bram Stoker and ‘Frankenstein’ by Mary Shelley.

Courage of Main Protagonist The main protagonist or character is courageous and enters the haunted or supernatural building despite warnings. This idea continues in modern horror films with ‘Don’t go down into the cellar’ a clear indication that something dreadful will happen!

Settings Wild and remote, with old castles, gloomy dungeons, monasteries or dark, inhospitable houses.

Terror (psychological or physical). The atmosphere is often claustrophobic and sinister, with turbulent or gloomy weather (pathetic fallacy).

ghosts, haunted houses and Gothic architecture, castles, darkness, death, decay, doubles, madness, secrets, and hereditary curses. The Supernatural

Mood There is often a fear of imprisonment, strong emotions, desire for self-expression and freedom.

Stock Characters The stock characters of Gothic fiction include tyrants, villains, bandits, maniacs, heroes, persecuted maidens, femmes fatales, monks, nuns, madwomen, magicians, vampires, werewolves, monsters, demons, dragons, angels, fallen angels, ghosts, walking skeletons and the Devil himself.

Suspense and Tension Events build up feelings of suspense and tension in the reader so that when awful events happen it is either: expected; a relief or worse because of the wait.

Gothic Horror - A Checklist 1. The grotesque and the horrible 2. Mystery, suspense and tension 3. Desolate and remote environments - sense of remoteness in character’s situation and mind 4. The Supernatural / creation of a ghostly, eerie atmosphere 5. Abject fear is aroused in the reader

Gothic Horror – A Checklist 6 High, even exaggerated, emotions 7 Women in distress 8 Sense of indefiniteness; nothing is exactly explained or described 9 A being that can’t function in the ‘normal’ world properly

Gothic Horror – A Checklist 10 Characters that seem to possess some sort of psychic communication 11 Communication between the living and the dead / The possibility of life after death (immortality) 12 Language of the Gothic

Vocabulary of the Gothic Write a list of at least 20 words that you think would be a part of ‘the vocabulary of the gothic’. Use the image below to help you!

Gothic and The Woman in Black ‘The Woman in Black’ is a pastiche of the Victorian Gothic style of literature and is written in a very similar style to Dickens’ novels. A pastiche is an imitation of a style.

Gothic and The Woman in Black ‘The Woman in Black’ is a pastiche of the Victorian Gothic style of literature and is written in a very similar style to Dickens’ novels. A pastiche is an imitation of a style.

Gothic and The Woman in Black ‘Susan Hill effectively evokes the voice of Dickens and other writers using characteristic devices such as densely detailed text, evocative descriptions and language that is lavish and dense as any Victorian tale.