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The study of Gothic literature
Gothic literature and culture
Importance of gothic themes in literature
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Recommended: The study of Gothic literature
Selah Saterstrom’s The Pink Institution is a novel set in the Deep South following the Civil War. It tells the story of a family over many generations from the point of view of the narrator (who is assumed to be the author of the novel). Saterstrom’s novel is considered to be a historic autobiographical gothic novel. Over the years, this novel has been the topic of many enthusiastic debates over whether the work is actually a novel or even gothic in nature. After reading and analyzing the work at length, there is no doubt that this work illustrates many themes found commonly in gothic literature. First, it’s important to understand the definition of “gothic literature.” At its most basic level, gothic literature is a genre that incorporates themes that are important to the human condition (relationships, gender, patriarchy, nostalgia, and the supernatural) and tend to look from the present back into the past (Gothic Literature, 2007). Gothic literature is known for their mysterious or sensational plots. It’s also important to note that the terms “gothic literature” and “gothic horror” are used somewhat interchangeably among people (Gothic Literature, 2007). There are specific themes that are usually always present in works that are considered to gothic in nature. Themes commonly found in gothic literature include: a setting in a dark, mysterious, or run-down place, an atmosphere of mystery or suspense, some type of ancient prophecy, omens or visions, supernatural events, women in distress, and women threatened by tyrannical males (Harris, 2013). At this point, it’s important to point out that Saterstrom’s novel contains four of the aforementioned themes. The setting of a gothic novel is extremely important. Historically, go... ... middle of paper ... ... apart and decay right before our eyes. The audience is forced to watch exceedingly cruel and violent acts that are committed against family members by the people that are supposed to protect them. This tale is most definitely gothic in nature as it is horrifying, gloomy, suspenseful, and downright terrifying to behold. The author has also incorporated many themes that are essential to gothic novels. Simply said, this novel is definitely a gothic horror novel. Works Cited "Gothic Literature." : What Is Gothic Literature? N.p., 11 July 2007. Web. 22 Mar. 2014. . Harris, Robert. "Elements of the Gothic Novel." Elements of the Gothic Novel. N.p., 2013 Dec. 20. Web. 22 Mar. 2014. . Saterstrom, Selah. The Pink Institution. Canada: Coffee House Press, 2004.
The gothic novel in defined mostly by atmosphere:- which dealt with the author’s choice of words . The space enhances the austere feelings that are meant to be experienced by the reader: ruined castles, labyrinthine spaces, dungeons, generally any out of the ordinary settings. The characters can also be labeled as bizarre as they are usually eccentric, anti-social , physically unfinished, or have extraordinary opinions.
Written in 1818, the latter stages of the Gothic literature movement, at face value this novel embodies all the key characteristics of the Gothic genre. It features the supernatural, ghosts and an atmosphere of horror and mystery. However a closer reading of the novel presents a multifaceted tale that explores
Due to the conventions included in the novel, this is a perfect example of a gothic novel. The novel evokes in the audience fear and anticipation of the novels plot. The 19th century audience would have been overwhelmed with terror whilst reading the novel as the atmosphere creates suspense and the pace of the novel is fast.
Gothic Fiction is a popular genre of literature that’s aim is to combine horror, fiction and romanticism. It originated in 18th century England and was said to have been founded through Horace Walpole’s novel “The Castle of Otranto” (Hughes). He claimed it to be a “found” medieval manuscript which added to its popular, although he later admitted it was a lie (Hughes). This mode of literature appears to have sprung out from Gothic architecture...
In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century, a new literary genre sprung up, the Gothic story. In the United States, the most prominent exponent of Gothic fiction was Edgar Allen Poe, whose “horror” tales conjure up the dark side that many of us at least half-believe is hidden just beneath the surface of the most conventional lives. In this paper we will discuss the Gothic in light of two of Poe’s stories, “Ligeia”, and “The Fall of the House of Usher,” and contrast Poe’s story with a somewhat dark tale of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s, “The Minister’s Black Veil.” We will also analyze why Poe’s stories are Gothic’s and Hawthorne’s is not.
The term gothic is often portrayed as dark, mysterious, horrific, and suspenseful. During the eighteenth and nineteenth century gothic writing became a successful genre in the world of fiction. Many fictional works during this time period were gothic and known for being dark and creepy leaving the reader in a state of pleasing terror. Edgar Allan Poe became one of the most popular gothic poets of his time, and mostly known for the unusual and disturbing themes throughout his poems. A common theme throughout his two works, “The Raven” and “The Cask of Amontillado”, was sanity and where the narrator lacked thereof. “The Raven” begins with a man being disturbed by a knock at his door and is eventually driven mad by a raven who can only recite the word “nevermore”. Likewise, Montresor is narrating a murder he committed fifty years previous in “The Cask of Amontillado.” Each of these works, written by Poe, has a dark underlying theme.
Looking onto the novel, there is a perfect gothic look presented to us with its every aspect. Infact every single concept covered comes deep from mythology. It talks about blood and fire, death and love, good and bad, fantasy and magic. And the Count; who sometimes happens to be an atrocital monster, a romantic lover… No doubt, these make the novel even...
Camille, Michael. Gothic Art: Glorious Visions. Upper Saddle River (NJ): Prentice Hall, 1996. 12. Print.
The term Gothic refers to a genre that came about in the late eighteenth century. It can be a type of story, clothing, or music nowadays. In this paper it will refer to a style of literature. A very good example of this type of literature is Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. There is a sense of foreboding throughout the whole novel, which is one of the basic necessities of the Gothic. This theme of the Gothic has different characteristics that all fit into the story of Victor Frankenstein and his monster and make this one of the first horror stories every told.
the elements of a gothic novel as it is not set in a remote place or a
Gothic Literature has been around since the 13th century and was a huge part of literature then as it still is today. When gothic literature came about in was mainly focused on decay, death, and terror. Then later on in the eighteenth-nineteenth century it started to grow more into more of historical, sociological and psychological contexts.
Gothic can be defined as “noting or pertaining to a style of literature characterized by a gloomy setting, grotesque, mysterious, or violent events, and an atmosphere of degeneration and decay.” (Dictionary.com). In William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily” the author uses many gothic elements to contribute to the overall theme of this incongruous short story. More specifically, Faulkner uses Southern Gothic as the key literary device with themes such as love, death and murder. Southern Gothic is a subgenre of Gothic fiction in American literature that takes place solely in the American South. Faulkner’s work uses these dramatic elements to highlight the foremost individual’s struggle against a domineering society that is undergoing rapid change.
Word by word, gothic literature is bound to be an immaculate read. Examining this genre for what it is could be essential to understanding it. “Gothic” is relating to the extinct East Germanic language, people of which known as the Goths. “Literature” is defined as a written work, usually with lasting “artistic merit.” Together, gothic literature combines the use of horror, death, and sometimes romance. Edgar Allan Poe, often honored with being called the king of horror and gothic poetry, published “The Fall of House Usher” in September of 1839. This story, along with many other works produced by Poe, is a classic in gothic literature. In paragraph nine in this story, one of our main characters by the name of Roderick Usher,
Southern Gothic literature is a group of words bonded together to set a mood, message, plot, etc. Overall Southern Gothic Literature can be interesting and creepy at the same time, its style has been practiced for many years by southern writers which are located in the American South. Its popular writings have grew from generation to generation and is now a world wide genre. Works Cited Alice, Petry. A Rose for Emily.’
When one thinks of a Gothic novel, the titles that usually come to mind are some of the classics such as Bram Stroker’s Dracula, Robert Louis Stevenson's Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, or Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. These are some of the more obvious stories that most people have either read or seen on the big screen. To even suggest, at first glance, that “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner should be considered in the same class of stories might seem a bit of a stretch. Once one has reviewed the basics of what constitutes a Gothic story, it will become clear that while there are differences between