"The name refers to Gothic architecture of the European Middle Ages, which was characteristic of the settings of early Gothic novels."
This topic explores the typical characteristics of Gothic heroes and heroines, including their isolation, their psychological complexity, and their tendency to be drawn into dark and dangerous situations.
Gothic Literature: Understanding the characteristics of Gothic literature, its historical context, and its impact on literature as a genre.
The Gothic Protagonist: Exploring the key traits and characteristics of the Gothic protagonist, such as emotional instability, isolation, and mysterious past.
Psychological Analysis: Delving into the psychological makeup of the Gothic protagonist, including their motivations, desires, and fears.
Historical Context: Exploring the historical context, such as the Romantic and Victorian era, and how it influenced the portrayal of Gothic protagonists in literature.
Gender: Examining the role of gender in Gothic literature, including the prevalence of the male Gothic protagonist and the exploration of femininity and female agency.
Race and Ethnicity: Exploring how race and ethnicity are portrayed in Gothic literature, including the use of exoticism and othering.
Supernatural/Mystical Elements: Examining how the inclusion of supernatural and mystical elements contributes to the characterization of the Gothic protagonist, such as the use of ghosts or curses.
Setting: Examining the significance of setting in Gothic literature, including the use of ominous, haunted landscapes to create a sense of horror and foreboding.
Anxieties and Fears: Exploring the themes of anxiety and fear in Gothic literature, including claustrophobia, terror, and the unknown.
Gothic Architecture and Imagery: Examining the use of Gothic architecture, motifs, and imagery in literature to create a sense of terror, wonder, and mystery.
The Innocent Hero/Heroine: The protagonist who is pure in character and typically virtuous, however, they are always placed in the opposition to the precarious environment.
The Melancholic Hero/Heroine: The character who is tormented by personal flaws or past mistakes, which usually leads to their inevitable downfall.
The Madwoman in the Attic: A woman who is forced into seclusion because of her crazed behavior, and her only hope is to be redeemed by a heroic figure.
The Supernatural Hero/Heroine: The prevalent Gothic protagonist, frequently associated with magic or supernatural powers, which they use to defeat their enemy.
The Byronic Hero: The protagonist who is mysterious, dark and brooding, with a tragic past and a blend of romanticism with pessimistic outlooks towards life.
Entitled Aristocrat Characters: Characters who are wealthy and typically immoral, attempting to overpower the other characters.
The Villain Protagonist: A character that is initially portrayed as evil and callous, but they progressively grow into a more impeccable character.
The Woman in Danger: The female protagonist in perilous situations, usually threatened by a cruel oppressor.
The Tortured Hero: A protagonist who endures both physical and emotional torment.
The Gothic Victim: A helpless character tormented by malevolent forces.
"The first work to call itself Gothic was Horace Walpole's 1764 novel The Castle of Otranto."
"Contributors included Clara Reeve, Ann Radcliffe, William Thomas Beckford, and Matthew Lewis."
"Works by the Romantic poets, and novelists such as Mary Shelley, Charles Maturin, Walter Scott, and E. T. A. Hoffmann frequently drew upon gothic motifs in their works."
"The early Victorian period continued the use of gothic aesthetic in novels by Charles Dickens and the Brontë sisters."
"...as well as works by the American writers Edgar Allan Poe and Nathaniel Hawthorne."
"Later well-known works were Dracula by Bram Stoker, Richard Marsh's The Beetle, and Robert Louis Stevenson's Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde."
"Twentieth-century contributors include Daphne du Maurier, Stephen King, Shirley Jackson, Anne Rice, and Toni Morrison."
"Gothic fiction, sometimes called Gothic horror..."
"Gothic fiction is a loose literary aesthetic of fear and haunting."
"Gothic architecture of the European Middle Ages... was characteristic of the settings of early Gothic novels."
"later subtitled 'A Gothic Story'"
"The Gothic influence continued into the early 19th century..."
"...novels by Charles Dickens and the Brontë sisters..."
"Later well-known works were Dracula by Bram Stoker..."
"...works by the American writers Edgar Allan Poe..."
"Works by the Romantic poets... frequently drew upon gothic motifs..."
"Twentieth-century contributors include Daphne du Maurier, Stephen King, Shirley Jackson, Anne Rice, and Toni Morrison."
"Gothic fiction, sometimes called Gothic horror (primarily in the 20th century)..."
"...Robert Louis Stevenson's Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde."