Gothic

A literary movement that emerged in the 18th century. It is characterized by a combination of horror, death and romance, and often features supernatural elements and dark settings.

Historical Context: A study of the cultural, political, and social conditions during the time period in which Gothic literature was produced.

Subgenres: An overview of the different subgenres within Gothic literature, such as Romantic Gothic, Southern Gothic, and Postmodern Gothic.

Elements of Gothic Fiction: An examination of the common characteristics found in Gothic literature, including settings, supernatural elements, and themes of decay and decay.

Iconography and Symbolism: A discussion of the symbolism and iconography commonly found in Gothic literature, such as the haunted house, the vampire, and the mad scientist.

Women in Gothic Fiction: An exploration of the role of women in Gothic literature, particularly as victims or as supernatural beings.

Gothic and the Sublime: A consideration of the relationship between Gothic literature and the concept of the sublime.

Gothic and the Fantastic: An examination of the ways in which Gothic literature employs the fantastic to create a sense of fear and unease.

Religious Themes in Gothic Literature: An analysis of the use of religious themes and motifs in Gothic literature, particularly in relation to sin and redemption.

Gothic and Horror: A comparison of Gothic literature to horror fiction, including an overview of the similarities and differences between the two.

Gothic and the Uncanny: An exploration of the ways in which Gothic literature employs the uncanny to create fear and unease.

Gothic and the Grotesque: A discussion of the use of grotesque imagery and themes in Gothic literature and the ways in which these elements subvert traditional aesthetics.

Gothic and Trauma: A consideration of the relationship between Gothic literature and trauma, particularly in relation to the Gothic as a means of working through traumatic experiences.

Gothic and Madness: A discussion of the representation of madness in Gothic literature, including the use of insanity as a trope and the portrayal of mental illness in literary works.

Gothic and Feminism: A consideration of the ways in which Gothic literature has been interpreted through a feminist lens, particularly with regard to depictions of women.

Gothic and Race: An analysis of the representation of race in Gothic literature, including a consideration of the ways in which Blackness and whiteness are portrayed in literary works.

Early Gothic (1764-1820): This movement originated with Horace Walpole's "The Castle of Otranto" and continued into the Romantic era with a focus on supernatural elements and wild emotions.

Romantic Gothic (1798-1832): The Romantic era introduced a focus on individualism, emotion, and nature, which were reflected in Gothic literature through characters seeking passion and desire while being oppressed by societal norms.

Victorian Gothic (1832-1901): This era reflected the anxieties and fears of industrialization, imperialism, and social change through the use of atmospheric, supernatural, and macabre themes.

Modern Gothic (1901-present): This movement emerged in the early 20th century and continues to this day, with a focus on the psychological aspects of horror and the impact of war, technology, and globalization on society.

Southern Gothic (1920s-present): This movement is unique to the American South, with a focus on the grotesque, decay, and the broken social and cultural norms of the region.

Female Gothic (18th-19th century): This subgenre focuses on female protagonists who are oppressed, often by patriarchal society, and explore their own psyche and desires.

Postcolonial Gothic (1950s-present): This genre emerged in former colonized nations as a means of exploring trauma and the lingering effects of colonialism through the use of horror and supernatural elements.

Cyber Gothic (1990s-present): This subgenre incorporates technology and elements of sci-fi into Gothic literature, exploring issues such as identity, surveillance, and information overload.

Eco Gothic (2000s-present): This movement explores the relationship between humans and the natural environment, often with a focus on climate change, environmental destruction, and ecological collapse.

Queer Gothic (1970s-present): This genre explores issues of sexuality and gender through horror, often with a focus on the monstrous otherness of queer characters.

What is gothic fiction?

"The name refers to Gothic architecture of the European Middle Ages, which was characteristic of the settings of early Gothic novels."

Who is often referred to as the first writer of gothic fiction?

"The first work to call itself Gothic was Horace Walpole's 1764 novel The Castle of Otranto."

Who were some of the 18th-century contributors to gothic fiction?

"Contributors included Clara Reeve, Ann Radcliffe, William Thomas Beckford, and Matthew Lewis."

Which literary movement drew upon gothic motifs in their works?

"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."

Which Victorian writers continued to use the gothic aesthetic in their novels?

"The early Victorian period continued the use of gothic aesthetic in novels by Charles Dickens and the Brontë sisters."

Who were some notable American writers who incorporated gothic elements in their works?

"...as well as works by the American writers Edgar Allan Poe and Nathaniel Hawthorne."

What are some examples of well-known gothic novels from the later period?

"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."

Who are some 20th-century contributors to gothic fiction?

"Twentieth-century contributors include Daphne du Maurier, Stephen King, Shirley Jackson, Anne Rice, and Toni Morrison."

What is another term sometimes used for gothic fiction?

"Gothic fiction, sometimes called Gothic horror..."

What literary element is associated with gothic fiction?

"Gothic fiction is a loose literary aesthetic of fear and haunting."

What architectural style inspired gothic settings?

"Gothic architecture of the European Middle Ages... was characteristic of the settings of early Gothic novels."

What is the subtitle of Horace Walpole's novel The Castle of Otranto?

"later subtitled 'A Gothic Story'"

Which era saw the continuation of gothic influence in literature?

"The Gothic influence continued into the early 19th century..."

Who are some well-known gothic authors from the early Victorian period?

"...novels by Charles Dickens and the Brontë sisters..."

Name a famous work by Bram Stoker that falls under gothic fiction.

"Later well-known works were Dracula by Bram Stoker..."

Who is an influential American writer associated with gothic fiction?

"...works by the American writers Edgar Allan Poe..."

Which literary movement drew inspiration from gothic motifs?

"Works by the Romantic poets... frequently drew upon gothic motifs..."

Who are some notable 20th-century contributors to gothic fiction?

"Twentieth-century contributors include Daphne du Maurier, Stephen King, Shirley Jackson, Anne Rice, and Toni Morrison."

Which century primarily referred to gothic fiction as gothic horror?

"Gothic fiction, sometimes called Gothic horror (primarily in the 20th century)..."

Name a famous work by Robert Louis Stevenson that can be classified as gothic fiction.

"...Robert Louis Stevenson's Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde."