1. Elements of a Gothic Novel

2. Elements of a Gothic Novel
Setting in a Castle
An Atmosphere of Mystery and Suspense
An Ancient Prophecy
Omens, Portents, and Visions
Supernatural or otherwise Inexplicable events
High, even overwrought emotion

3. Elements (cont) Women in distress
Women threatened by a powerful, impulsive, tyrannical male
The Metonymy of Gloom and Horror
Vocabulary of the Gothic
Elements of Romance

4. Setting in a Castle
Action takes place in or around an old castle, sometimes abandoned.
It often has trap doors, secret passages, or anything else that leads to a sense of the unknown

5. Atmosphere of Mystery and Suspense
Pervaded by a threatening feeling, a fear enhanced by the unknown:
Mystery could include-unknown parents, disappearance, or some other

6. Ancient Prophecy
Usually obscure, and connected with its inhabitants (either former or present)
Eventually manifested as a legend or folk tale (Ex: “It is said that the ghost of old man Smith stills wanders these halls…”)

7. Omens, Portents, Visions
Portent means-Indication of something that is about to happen, or soon going to come; a foreshadowing
Often shown in dreams, or visions
EX: If a statue of the main character falls and breaks, that is an omen of what is to come—his death.

8. Supernatural or Otherwise Inexplicable Events
Dramatic amazing events occurred, such as ghosts or giants walking, or inanimate objects coming to life.

9. High, Overwrought Emotion
Characters often overcome by extreme:
Anger
Sorrow
Depression
Surprise
And Especially Terror
Frequent Crying
Breathlessness and Panic are common

10. Women in Distress Female Characters often face events that leave them:
Fainting
Terrified
Screaming/Crying
Characteristics are:
Pensive
Lonely
Oppressed

11. Women Threatened by Powerful, Tyrannical Male
Male character has the power as:
King
Lord of the Manor
Father
Guardian
To demand she do something intolerable
Marry someone she doesn’t love
Commit a Crime
Etc.

12. The Metonymy of Gloom and Horror
A type of metaphor for doom and gloom:
Examples:
Wind, especially howling
Rain, especially blowing
Footsteps approaching
Lights in abandoned rooms
Thunder and lightening
Ruins of buildings

13. Vocabulary of the Gothic
Listed in several categories:
Mystery: Diabolical, Enchantment, Haunted
Fear/Terror: Afflicted, Agony, Frantic, Grief
Surprise: Alarm, Astonishment, Shock
Haste: Breathless, Anxious, Frantic, Sudden
Anger: Provoked, Rage, Raving, Wrath
Largeness: Gigantic, Vast, Tremendous

14. Elements of Romance Powerful Love Uncertainty of Reciprocation
Unreturned Love
Tension Between true love and father’s control
Lovers Parted
Illicit love or lust threatens the virtuous one
Rival lovers or multiple suitors

15. Powerful Love
Heat stirring, often sudden, emotions create a life or death commitment

16. Uncertainty of Reciprocation
What is the beloved thinking? Is the lover’s love returned or not?

17. Unreturned Love
Someone loves in vain (at least temporarily). Later, the love may be returned

18. Tension Between the True Love and Father’s Control
Disapproval, or choice.
Most often, the father of the woman disapproves of the man she loves

19. Lovers Parted
Some obstacles arise and separate the lovers, geographically or in some other way

20. Illicit Love or Lust Threatens the Virtuous One
The young woman becomes the target of some evil man’s desires and schemes.

21. Rival Lovers or Multiple Suitors
One of the lovers (or even both) can have more than one person vying for their affection