Gothic Horror Research Paper

Mathujan Yogarajah
Research Essay
Block 4
Genre: Horror Horror is a genre that has startled our psychological thoughts and frightened us for centuries. The author allows the readers to embrace themselves in another reality with a horrific twist to leave the readers trembling with fear. Like a lot of other genres, the author attempts to draw the reader in, but in horror there is an intense feeling wickedness and suspense that leaves Goosebumps on the reader. Horror is deemed like a common, overused genre with just gore and monsters, but in fact, it actually revolves around the description, plot, specks of different elements and the senses (of fear). That is what makes each and every horror story at least a little different from each
Although introduced very early, it was not until the Medieval Ages that horror became very well liked and a subject of interest. In classic mythology, there are an abundance of monsters such as “Cereberus, the Minotaur, Medusa, the Hydra, the Sirens, Cyclops, Scylla and Charybdis” (Horror Film History) Ancient horror stories are based off of monsters and the dead trying to kill and destroy people. It is unknown what the first horror book was, but the term “horror” was first used in Horace Wapole’s The Castle of Otranto, a novel that was written a couple centuries after the Medieval Times. Although the term “horror” was used in this book, there were plenty of other horror books in Medieval Times such as Dante’s Inferno or The Canterbury Tales. Although we still refer to it as horror, horror has changed significantly throughout the centuries. Before it was mostly based on monsters terrorizing people, but now it has become more about realistic people or things causing mayhem to the people around them except this time with a purpose. There is usually a psychological problem where the character faces internal conflicts and there is much more gore and violence involved. Thanks
Although there are so many authors, authors like Edgar Allan Poe, Stephen King and Richard Matheson have made significant progress to the horror genre. Edgar Allan Poe, most likely the most recognized horror writer in the world, really changed the ball for horror. He introduced a modern, psychological aspect of horror like in “The Tell Tale Heart”. It really brought out the insane side of the reader as it focused on the insanity of a man who murdered the person closest to him because of his eye. It is strange because the so called monster in this story is the man himself. Stephen King, likewise, is extremely popular in the horror genre. His writing influences realistic features of life and gruesome images of scenes that can happen in real life. For instance, in his popular novel Carrie, an unpopular girl with strange powers kills people after a prom prank. This novel freaked many readers because it was very realistic and took place in a regular event. The thought of a murderous rampage happening at a regular school event is purely terrifying since most horror novels were mostly reflected around monsters. In addition to King’s inspiring work, Richard Matheson made many accomplishments in horror fiction. He is a very popular character who most people value for his novel I am Legend. This vampire novel sets a unique thrill for the reader and its contrast from most Dracula or vampire books places