"The name refers to Gothic architecture of the European Middle Ages, which was characteristic of the settings of early Gothic novels."
This topic examines the recurring themes in Gothic literature, including madness, death, the supernatural, isolation, love, and guilt.
Gothic Literature: A genre of literature that emerged in the 18th century, characterized by dark themes, supernatural elements, and an emphasis on emotions and the imagination.
Gothic Architecture: A style of architecture popular in Europe from the 12th to the 16th century, characterized by elaborate ornamentation, vaulted ceilings, and pointed arches.
Victorian Era: A period of time in British history that lasted from 1837 to 1901. It was a time of social and economic change, and many Gothic novels were written during this era.
Romanticism: A literary movement that emerged in the late 18th century, characterized by a focus on emotions, individualism, and the supernatural.
Horror: A genre of film and literature that focuses on creating an atmosphere of fear, terror, or dread.
Dark Romanticism: A subgenre of Romanticism that emphasizes the darker, more melancholy side of human nature.
Medievalism: A fascination with the Middle Ages, often expressed through literature, art, and architecture.
Sublime: A feeling of awe or reverence inspired by something that is both beautiful and terrifying.
Psychological Horror: A subgenre of horror that focuses on the psychology of fear and the human mind.
Supernatural: Beyond what is natural or scientifically explainable, often used to describe elements in Gothic literature.
Isolation: A common theme in Gothic literature, often explored through the use of remote or secluded settings.
Haunted Houses: A common setting in Gothic literature, often used to explore themes of fear, death, and the unknown.
The Uncanny: A feeling of unease or discomfort caused by something that is both familiar and unfamiliar.
Death: A pervasive theme in Gothic literature, often used to explore the darker aspects of the human psyche.
Gothic Villains: Characters in Gothic literature who embody evil or darkness, often portrayed as supernatural or monstrous.
Madness: A recurring theme in Gothic literature, often used to explore the fragility of the human mind.
Gothic Romance: A subgenre of Gothic literature that emphasizes the romantic elements of the genre.
Gothic Fiction: A term used to describe literature that incorporates elements of the Gothic genre.
Melancholy: A feeling of intense sadness or depression, often explored in Gothic literature.
Decadence: A cultural trend that emerged in the late 19th century, characterized by an emphasis on luxury, pleasure, and excess.
Death and Decay: This theme involves the representation of death, decay, and the macabre.
The Supernatural: This theme explores the supernatural aspects, such as ghostly apparitions, witchcraft, and vampirism.
Madness: Gothic literature often includes representations of madness or insanity, which are often conveyed through characterizations of paranoia, delusions, or other mental instability.
Haunting or Terror: This theme refers to the intense fear and terror that often accompanies the events or situations depicted in Gothic literature.
Romanticism: This theme involves the representation of love, passion, and emotional intensity in a romantic context.
Transgression: Gothic literature often explores the theme of transgression or crossing boundaries. This could involve challenging societal norms, breaking taboos or defying authority.
Isolation: This theme involves feelings of loneliness, isolation or being trapped, that can contribute to the heightened sense of fear and terror often present in Gothic literature.
Nature: The natural world can also be a major theme, often depicted in a dark and foreboding manner.
Mystery: This theme involves the pursuit of knowledge, understanding, or truth, often shrouded in secrecy and mystery within Gothic literature.
The Uncanny: The concept of the uncanny is central to Gothic literature, with its unsettling and inexplicable qualities leading to a heightened sense of fear and discomfort.
"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."