Gothic Literature Term Papers
Gothic Literature
"We make up horrors to help us cope with the real ones" (Stephen King). This quote could explain why humans have a fascination with horror and the frightening, which are present in many Gothic novels. Since the 18th century, Gothic Fiction has become a famous genre. Gothic Literature is unique and has certain elements that it consists of. It uses a combination of the supernatural, scary, and the frightening to deliver its point to the reader. From the beginning of the genre in 1765, to more modern Gothic novels, people have not lost interest in Gothic Literature. It has a style all its own. Gothic literature has been around since 1765 (Academic). It was most popular in England, Germany, and the United States …show more content…
This type of architecture is called Gothic Revival Architecture (Princeton). Most gothic stories usually take place in medieval buildings (Course). Writers used buildings from the medieval time period because they saw it as a frightening time, with its tyrannical laws enforced in cruel ways and superstitions (Princeton). Some examples of the architecture include labyrinths, dark corridors, winding stairs, castles, dungeons, underground passages, catacombs, basements, attics, and stained glass windows (Course). Ruins of buildings are often used in gothic literature to represent the unavoidable death and decay of humans and their creations (Princeton). Also, having the setting be in an old castle or house can imply that the story is set in the past. Authors use creepy settings to reflect the creepy events that take place. The architecture can give readers feelings of dread, which is an element of gothic literature. Characters in a Gothic novel have certain traits that are not found in other genres. Characters could be a passionate villain, a hero whose identity is not revealed until the end of the story, a heroine with a need to be rescued–maybe even multiple times throughout the novel (Academic). Usually, the main character is alienated, and it is made clear that they are different from the rest of society (Princeton). A character may have repressed feelings or memories that cause trouble in the story (Course). Sometimes the villain in the story is the main character (Heck). He/she is then called a "villain-hero." This character usually has heroic traits (Heck). The reader is let in on their past so the reader is sympathetic for the villain and understands how the villain came to be one (Heck). Characters within a gothic novel are
"We make up horrors to help us cope with the real ones" (Stephen King). This quote could explain why humans have a fascination with horror and the frightening, which are present in many Gothic novels. Since the 18th century, Gothic Fiction has become a famous genre. Gothic Literature is unique and has certain elements that it consists of. It uses a combination of the supernatural, scary, and the frightening to deliver its point to the reader. From the beginning of the genre in 1765, to more modern Gothic novels, people have not lost interest in Gothic Literature. It has a style all its own. Gothic literature has been around since 1765 (Academic). It was most popular in England, Germany, and the United States …show more content…
This type of architecture is called Gothic Revival Architecture (Princeton). Most gothic stories usually take place in medieval buildings (Course). Writers used buildings from the medieval time period because they saw it as a frightening time, with its tyrannical laws enforced in cruel ways and superstitions (Princeton). Some examples of the architecture include labyrinths, dark corridors, winding stairs, castles, dungeons, underground passages, catacombs, basements, attics, and stained glass windows (Course). Ruins of buildings are often used in gothic literature to represent the unavoidable death and decay of humans and their creations (Princeton). Also, having the setting be in an old castle or house can imply that the story is set in the past. Authors use creepy settings to reflect the creepy events that take place. The architecture can give readers feelings of dread, which is an element of gothic literature. Characters in a Gothic novel have certain traits that are not found in other genres. Characters could be a passionate villain, a hero whose identity is not revealed until the end of the story, a heroine with a need to be rescued–maybe even multiple times throughout the novel (Academic). Usually, the main character is alienated, and it is made clear that they are different from the rest of society (Princeton). A character may have repressed feelings or memories that cause trouble in the story (Course). Sometimes the villain in the story is the main character (Heck). He/she is then called a "villain-hero." This character usually has heroic traits (Heck). The reader is let in on their past so the reader is sympathetic for the villain and understands how the villain came to be one (Heck). Characters within a gothic novel are