1. Gothic Elements The Dark Romantics

2. Gothic Origins The scary stories that we enjoy today had their first flowering in English literature in the beginning of the l9th century.

3. Gothic Origins At that time, such scary stories and novels were termed “Gothic” to refer back to the Middle Ages, a time seen as barbaric (the original meaning of gothic), unlike the “enlightened” time of the present.

4. Differences Dark Romanticism contrasts the lighter elements of Early Romanticism –Isn’t as optimistic –Saw the horror of evil in everything

5. Gothic Beliefs Dark Romantics’ views of existence developed from both mystical and melancholy aspects of Puritan thought. Explored conflicts between good and evil Acknowledged the existence of sin, pain and evil in human life

6. Gothic Techniques Psychological effects of guilt and sin –Poe was known for psychological horror –How madness and derangement affect the human psyche Uses symbolism to provide added meaning and suspense

7. Gothic Elements The following elements were likely to be found in the l9th century. You can expect to find this sort of thing in most of Edgar Allen Poe’s work, including his detective stories.

8. Supernatural elements

9. Spooky effects and haunting specters

10. Demonic powers

11. Oppressive atmosphere of doom

12. Setting Wild and desolate landscapes

13. Setting Ruined abbeys Feudal halls Medieval castles with dungeons graveyards

14. Setting Secret passages Winding staircases Sliding panels Torture chambers

15. Underground rooms and tombs

16. A Catholic or feudal society

17. Characters Priests Monks

18. A heroine with a trembling sensitivity and her impetuous lover

19. Heroines and heroes in incredible danger

20. Wicked tyrants Evil witches Tyrannical older men

21. Subjects Sleep Dream and death-like states

22. Live burial

23. Doubles/twins

24. Discovery of obscure family ties Incest

25. Unnatural silences; unspeakable ideas and events

26. Guilt and shame – and the effects of them

27. Secret and undecipherable writings

28. Cats Bats Wolves

29. Murder

30. Blood

31. Moonlight

32. Vampires