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The term “gothic” comes from the name of the Germanic tribes “the Goths”, who were seen as barbarians, uncivilized, savage human beings. Later, the term was used to describe an architectural style that appeared in the Twelfth Century in Western Europe , and also to illustrate a new type of novel issued in Romanticism, in the second part of the Eighteenth Century. 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. Another mark of Gothicism is the possible presence of super forces, of miraculous or fantastic elements , the cliffhanger situations in the plot, drama calming down suddenly, abrupt change of state from normal to extreme or even the occurrence of visitations . This essay will provide an analysis on the got...
Grey Matter also has another example of gothic lit Elements. Another would be heroes. There would only be one hero and that would be Henry. Henry is considered a hero because he helped out Timmy when he didn’t have to and help save his friends. An example from the story that show his heroic actions would be when he defended off the others while the gray thing was attacking.
Key Elements of Gothic Literature Jasmine Giles People enjoy reading gothic literature due to its heart rate exciting nature. Without having to engage with any real danger, it is common for the reader to feel anxiety and impaitence when reading gothic fiction. In order for the reader to feel these emotions, the author uses certain elements, such as a gloomy setting and old-fashioned dialoge. In the stories “The Black Cat” and “The Tell Tale Heart”, by elgar allen poe, and “The Landlady”, by Roland Dahl, there are many similarites that remanticize the idea of horror and mystery. Some elements, however, bring out the disbolical horror of gothic literature: the setting, characterization, and the motif of suspense.
Gothic Literature was a natural progression from romanticism, which had existed in the 18th Century. Initially, such a ‘unique’ style of literature was met with a somewhat mixed response; although it was greeted with enthusiasm from members of the public, literary critics were much more dubious and sceptical.
Gothic elements are used to show suspense, symbolism, and drama, while also setting dark and twisted tones about the story and its characters. In the passage "The Fall of the House of Usher" the author uses Gothic elements to entice the reader with details of ominous character persona and setting.
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,
...ssible engagement with the text, it is also an invited one, because a great deal of the value of the text lies in presenting an unsettling and subtle variation upon a known theme or situation. Mastery of the literary genre depends upon a clear knowledge not only of recurrent themes and styles of the form (which exist to be perpetuated in continually evolving manner, much more so than in other genres), but of human nature and the psychological triggers which create in readers a spirit of curiosity. One might think that such a device was inherent to any form of writing of any quality, and whilst this is true, there is a much more marked difference between formulaic uncanny and gothic fiction than that of other genres.
The blending of terror and romance in Gothic Literature was used in a unique combination to attract and entice the reader into the story. The terror in the literature helps the reader explore their imagination and form their own picture setting of what is happening. Using romance in the story also keeps the reader's attention because of the unknown and the curiosity of what happens next. The Gothic writing became popular after the Romantic period because readers were still a...
The term ‘Gothic’ conjures a range of possible meanings, definitions and associations. It explicitly denotes certain historical and cultural phenomena. Gothicism was part of the Romantic Movement that started in the eighteenth century and lasted about three decades into the nineteenth century. For this essay, the definition of Gothic that is applicable is: An 18th century literary style characterized by gloom and the supernatural. In the Gothic novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, a wide range of issues are explored. Frankenstein represents an entirely new vision of the female Gothic, along with many other traditional themes such as religion, science, colonialism and myth.
During the Victorian Era, the upper class was known for their proper etiquette. Though there were numerous customs and guidelines, certain behaviors were prohibited as they were seen as inappropriate for various reasons, ranging from subtle flirtation to outright indecency. It was often found impolite or rude to ask or imply certain things about a person, especially because the Victorian Era’s rigid class system in England served as a barrier between genders and social classes. It was in that time period that floriography, also known as the language of flowers, became commonplace in their culture. Floriography was used in England to convey certain meanings, typically to convey romantic interest, but depending on the flowers and/or its arrangement, it could suggest a more negative message. It was a fairly common communication tactic during the Victorian Era.
the elements of a gothic novel as it is not set in a remote place or a
Gothic writing was usually written in mysterious and ominous tine. Most Gothic novels were filled with death and terror. The authors of Gothic novels most commonly filled their books with omens and foreshadows, showing the dark side of mankind.
Oscar Wilde`s novel The Picture of Dorian Gray is written primarily out of the aesthetic movement of the Nineteenth Century. Therefore, the text contains a profuse amount of imagery which reflects the concepts of beauty and sensory experiences. By taking the aesthetic approach, Wilde was able to revive the gothic style through grotesque imagery of the portrait and the character whose soul it represents. Wilde is not using gothic elements to shock his audiences; rather he uses the gothic to capture the hideousness of Gray`s corruptness which leaks out of the painting and into the tone of the entire text.
Prior to the 1980's, Goth was just a word to describe certain aspects in our society, but at this time no specific group of modern people were called Goth. Many years before this there were dark buildings that are a part of gothic architecture, which spread throughout the country mainly in churches, abbeys and cathedrals. This title was in reference to the barbarous Goths, after they conquered Rome, when they built buildings of the same style. People began to give the label Goth to certain somber music during the late 1970’s, which is known as gothic rock today. In an issue of the library journal Matthew Moyer states, “Few genres are as maligned and caricatured as gothic rock…such an adventurous and vibrant music, whose dark and dramatic sound is borne aloft by brittle, icy guitars and electronics.” This statement shows his opinion of the music clearly as a unique music fit of the label Goth. The Goths from ancient times could be seen as rebellious to structure with their ‘uncivilized actions’, compared to the rest of civilization in that day and age. In relation to the subculture they are a perfect match. These labels by no means were given to a subculture as of yet t...
A work of Gothic Literature is one that contains at least some of the following qualities: a serious tone; ruins, a castle, or a dark, melancholy setting; scenes involving dungeons, underground passages, crypts, basements or attics; shadows, a beam of moonlight in the blackness, a flickering candle, or the only source of light failing; extreme landscapes, like rugged mountains, thick forests, or icy wastes; omens and ancestral curses; magic and/or the supernatural; a villain-hero or villain who loses the self or self-control; a curious heroine with a tendency to faint and a need to be rescued-frequently; a hero whose true identity is revealed by the end of the novel; and horrifying (or terrifying) events or the threat of such happenings. Poe's work includes many of these aspects of Gothic works.
Gothic elements such as motifs, symbols, and themes become evident to the readers familiar with the style of gothic writers. Wilde used several motifs in the novel to convey emotion and powerful, provocative thoughts to the readers (Shmoop Editorial Team). Wilde used the secretive places to outline and compare the digression of Dorian's character. Places such as the dark opium dens, the mysterious dark side of town and Dorian's home all follow the gothic element (Shmoop Editorial Team). These are places Dorian spent most of his time after his slope to ultimate corruption. The author associated addiction with both the moral and immoral aspects of the novel's characters (Adcock). Basil, who seemed to be addicted to the beauty of Dorian, faced