"The name refers to Gothic architecture of the European Middle Ages, which was characteristic of the settings of early Gothic novels."
This topic covers the defining features of Gothic literature, including the use of supernatural elements, the portrayal of intense emotions, the emphasis on landscapes and settings, and the exploration of taboo topics such as death, sexuality and madness.
Historical context: Understanding the social, political, and cultural climate in which Gothic literature emerged.
The Gothic genre: The unique features that distinguish Gothic literature from other literary genres.
Setting: The importance of setting in creating a dark and mysterious atmosphere that is characteristic of Gothic literature.
Supernatural elements: The use of supernatural and paranormal occurrences in the plot, such as ghosts, monsters, and curses.
Characterization: The characterization of Gothic characters, including their typically extreme and often grotesque qualities.
Symbolism: The use of symbols to convey deeper meanings and themes.
Psychological themes: The exploration of human psychology, including madness, obsession, and the uncanny.
Romanticism: The influence of the Romanticism movement on Gothic literature, which emphasized emotion, imagination, and individualism.
Gothic architecture and art: The influence of Gothic architecture and art on the development of Gothic literature.
Horror and fear: The use of horror and fear to explore and challenge societal norms and values.
Narrative devices: The use of narrative devices such as foreshadowing, irony, and ambiguity to create suspense and tension.
The role of women: The representation of women in Gothic literature, including the use of female stereotypes and the challenges to gender roles.
Death and the supernatural: The exploration of death and the afterlife, and the role of the supernatural in understanding them.
Gothic literature and film: The influence of Gothic literature on the development of horror and suspense films.
Gothic literature and popular culture: The enduring popularity of Gothic literature and its influence on popular culture, including music, fashion, and art.
Dark and scary settings: Gothic literature is characterized by dark, atmospheric, and creepy settings that create a sense of unease and foreboding in the reader. These settings include haunted houses, abandoned castles, graveyards, and eerie landscapes.
Supernatural elements: Gothic literature often incorporates supernatural elements like ghosts, vampires, werewolves, witches, and other supernatural creatures that add to the eerie and mysterious atmosphere of the story.
Horror and suspense: Gothic literature is known for its horror and suspense, which keep readers on the edge of their seats. The stories are often full of suspenseful events and supernatural occurrences that lead to a climactic, terrifying ending.
Emotional intensity: The emotional intensity of Gothic literature is another characteristic that sets it apart. The characters are often tormented by intense emotions like fear, despair, and madness, which contribute to the dark and brooding tone of the story.
Psychological complexity: Gothic literature often explores the intricacies of the human psyche, delving into the darkest recesses of the mind to reveal the innermost thoughts and feelings of the characters.
Melancholy and morbidity: Gothic literature frequently features themes of melancholy and morbidity, including death, decay, and the macabre. These themes are often expressed through dark and moody imagery and evoke a sense of melancholy and sadness.
Romanticism: Gothic literature is often associated with the Romantic movement of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, which emphasized emotion, individualism, and the power of the imagination. This influence can be seen in the romantic relationships that often feature in Gothic novels.
Setting as a character: In Gothic literature, the setting often takes on the role of a character, creating a sense of foreboding and contributing to the overall mood and atmosphere of the story.
The sublime: Gothic literature often explores the concept of the sublime, which refers to the sense of awe and wonder that arises from encountering something vast and overwhelming. This can be seen in the grandeur of the Gothic architecture that often features in these stories.
Fears and anxieties: Finally, Gothic literature often reflects the fears and anxieties of the time in which it was written, whether it be social anxieties, political unrest, or personal fears and neuroses.
"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."