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Dark romances, windswept moors, dimly lit corridors, haunted mansions… Horror, death, curses are some of the key elements of Gothic literature. This genre emerged in the late 18th century. It takes readers into worlds of mystery, fear, and the supernatural. Gothic literature explores the boundaries between reality and the unknown by delving deeply into the human psyche, whether through stormy nights, crumbling castles, or wounded characters.
The first gothic novel, The Castle of Otranto (1764), was the beginning of this genre, which is still used in the filmmaking process. Everything you see in a horror film where the door often closes and locks behind them was all used way back in the gothic novel. Gothic literature is way more interesting than other literature and will indulge you in dark-romantic themes. Read the blog created by one of the writers at All Assignment Help to explore everything about this enduring genre, which was interesting even though it was mere fiction.
What is Gothic Literature
Gothic literature came even before the Romantic era of the 18th century and slowly became part of the larger Romanticism movement. However, it became popular in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It was first introduced by Horace Walpole primarily in England and shortly after in the US as well. This tells intriguing, thrilling, and supernatural stories. It still has romantic overtones despite its horror and terror elements. It aims to go deeper and deeper into the subject than the Romantic works of the time.
Gothic writers accepted the idea that the setting would always be a ruined castle, an abandoned peak, or some barren area. Instead of only describing the dread, they use ambiance. This is precisely how elements of Gothic literature differ from traditional horror literature. The plot would often feature hidden secrets, ghosts, vampires, and a miserable existence, with a constant aura of mysticism, fear, and intense feelings.
Gothic literature typically features characters with sharp brains, even when they are alone or lonely. This separation may be mental or physical (cut off from the general populace) (trapped in a coffin alive). Another crucial aspect of Gothic fiction that is easier to recognize is the “Damsel in Distress” scenario, where the “damsel” is either threatened by a man or is just in a bad situation.
In the first half, gothic writers continued to haunt people with their fiction. However, in the latter half, Southern Gothic came into existence after Gothic romances died of their own extravagances of plot. Truman Capote was one of the famous writers of Southern Gothic.
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Features of Gothic Literature
Mary Shelley and Ann Radcliffe are some of the famous Gothic writers. Horror, romance, and mystery are some of the main features followed by all the writers of Gothic novels. Their main purpose was to captivate readers’ attention with an influence of horror in modern storytelling.
By now, the gothic literature definition might be clear to you. Let us now have a look at the Gothic literature characteristics.
- Dark and mysterious themes were the main characteristics of Gothic literature. The writers mainly discussed abandoned mansions and dark forests to evoke fear, suspense, and curiosity.
- Supernatural forces were also the main features of Gothic literature. Ghosts, monsters, and vampires were some of the characters used in gothic novels.
- Intense emotions were also displayed in gothic novels. Feelings of fear, love, anger, and despair were clearly mentioned, which garnered readers attention from other forms of literature to gothic novels.
- Unlike traditional novels, Gothic writers perfectly portrayed complex and flawed characters. They perfectly managed to create dramatic tension from their writing
- Expensive settings were also greatly used in Gothic literature. Expensive mansions and castles were used for storytelling. Big bungalows clearly depicted the fear of supernatural creatures.
If you are a student from an English background, learning about Gothic literature would be both interesting and useful for your academics. You will gain knowledge about classic texts and develop deeper literary insights into literature. This will further assist you in completing your English literature assignments on time. Moreover, if you find learning and understanding complex, seeking English assignment help can be a way out of this. Well-written assignments from experts will increase your knowledge of Gothic texts.
Key Characteristics of Gothic Literature
Characters
Gothic fiction characters often find themselves in strange settings when they depart from the secure world they were familiar with. In this genre, ghosts are perfectly suited to explore patterns of isolation and captivity, and superstitions, omens, and curses increase the sense of mystery.
Place
A place is arguably the most significant aspect of the Gothic tale. The majority will immediately create images of moors and heaths, of lonely, foreboding places, and of castles and gloomy homes. A haunted home or building appears in many Gothic novels. However, in practice, the house represents more than simply physical structures. It is a reflection of the mind, dividing and securing life’s realities before lies and dishonesty return to haunt our characters.
Atmosphere
Gothic literature is filled with atmosphere. Although the place has a significant influence on the atmosphere, it goes far beyond that. A writer can create an atmosphere with their tone and language choices, with suggested meanings, internal and external conflicts, character development, and the creation of suspense and mystery. Furthermore, the atmosphere produced can often be restricted. There are limited opportunities for escape in these tiny settings.
The Supernatural
If there aren’t any ghosts in it, can we still call gothic fiction gothic? Sometimes, everything is just in the mind, but that’s where gothic literature excels beyond all other genres: it allows you to use your imagination to create the story. Sometimes, what may be there is far more terrifying than what is. But the best part about Gothic fiction is that it immerses us in a world of doubt, especially when it comes to the paranormal and spiritual.
Damsels
A damsel in distress tends to be a prominent character in classic gothic novels. It contributes to the subject of power imbalances in the genre where women were perceived as weaker and more often the targets of violent crimes. On the other hand, women are often portrayed as possessed, supernatural figures, despite being associated with motherhood.
Time
Gothic fiction has a heavy focus on time. There is a concentration on promoting the past. It is common for aspects of the past to collide with the present, bringing danger, fear, and reality with them. But the characters’ past doesn’t just catch up with them. There will always be something unsettlingly unfamiliar to go along with the past. The present is genuinely disturbed by the past.
Common Themes Followed in Gothic Literature
Each piece of literature has its own theme. Like emotion and nature, it is the main theme of romantic literature. Human imperfection is the main theme of classic literature. If we talk about gothic literature, its main theme is to discuss human emotions. Gothic writers cleverly depicted the darkest aspects of humanity and the power of the sublime. They use both the story and its underlying meaning, or theme, to express their point.
Here is what you need to know about the prominent themes of Gothicism.
- Appearance vs. Reality
- Battle between good and evil
- Isolation and seclusion
- Fear
- Challenging gender roles
- Imbalance of power
- Inner conflict
- Repressed desires
- Sanity
- Madness
- Corruption of innocence
- Haunted influence
- Human weakness
- Romance
- Cursed families
- Injustice
- Searching for the truth
- Reflection of the internal nature
- Fallen female
- Oppressed heroine
Students majoring in English literature courses must understand these aforementioned themes. A clear understanding of these themes will help you complete all your English literature homework perfectly and ensure timely submission. Therefore, make sure you take time to understand each of them deeply and how they work in Gothic fiction.
What Are the Elements of Gothic Literature
Literature, the name itself, is enough to confuse and put students under stress. And the term gothic literature is even more confusing. Learners struggle so much that they start wondering, can I pay someone to take my online class for me? Are you also having a similar question in your mind? Well, the answer is yes, you can hire experts to do your online class. Professional experts can greatly assist you with your online literature classes. They will log in themselves, check, complete, and submit your work on time. All you need to do is check your improved grades in your online class.
When learning literature, both grades and understanding of concepts are essential. While the professional online class takers take care of your grades, make sure you try to learn and comprehend key elements of Gothic literature. Below, we have briefly discussed the 10 elements of Gothic literature that are essential to know.
Dark, Abandoned, Decaying Settings
The term “Gothic” also conjures up images of elaborate, opulent buildings from the 12th century in France. The surrounding environment maintained a somber mood. The weather is still ferocious, with constant thunderclaps. In it, we can also make out a wilderness, a gloomy cemetery, and a wicked woodland.
The first thing that comes to mind when discussing the characteristics of Gothic fiction is
- Houses
- Cobwebbed Castles
- Abandoned Churches
- Hidden Tunnels
- Hidden Skeletons
- Dead Bodies
- Cramped Interiors with Hidden Doors
- Character Deaths
Gothic novels are famous for their atmosphere and settings. The Gothic novelist paid special attention to the atmosphere to make the story more captivating and thrilling. Most of the novels start with an abandoned place where there are few or no human beings. Secret doors and hidden staircases were included to give a special touch to the story.
They made sure to continue the haunting flavor with their darkness through the old castle or an old mansion. The mysterious setting and noise were used to create a sense of claustrophobia and entrapment. Dark themes helped in introducing horrific creatures, which makes the whole story thrilling and dramatic.
Romanticism
Mystery, horror, and thrill were the main themes of Gothic literature. There were few gothic novelists who used to convey romanticism through their work. The romanticized environment was a main element of Gothic literature.
Tragic romance and powerful tragedy were part of the romantic literature. Both romance and horror were used in the Gothic romantic style. Major characters are almost always in love with each other, but their families are against it because of a contentious past. The best illustration of this can be found in Walter Scott’s work, The Bride of Lammermoor.
Find an example of romance in Gothic literature through the famous works A Sicilian Romance (1790) and Romance of the Forest (1791). The author cleverly used the elements of Gothic literature in their work. Here, the hero and heroine triumph together over the Gothic villain in the end.
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Mystery, Suspense, and Fear
The primary themes in Gothic literature are terror and fear. The reader experiences extreme terror, dread, and contempt when reading gothic literature books.
The gothic writers cleverly played with people’s minds to create suspense and mystery. When learning, it is normal to have many questions in your mind. Here are some of the mysterious questions from popular plays that make the character anxious.
- Who or what is haunting the old mansion?
- What terrible secret is the family hiding?
- What happened to the missing person?
- Is the supernatural real, or is it all in the character’s mind?
- Why is the castle filled with strange noises at night?
These questions play an important role in Gothic literature. It creates suspense, fear, and doubt. The gothic literature often revolves around mysterious plots that reflect the inner fears of the characters. In addition to this, unanswered questions, hidden truths, and unresolved conflicts were all the main plot. In a haunting atmosphere, the main character starts searching until the shocking truth is revealed. Blood, murder, and monsters create suspense and make the readers wait for the truth to emerge.
Supernatural Events
Any Gothic literary work you read will introduce you to supernatural creatures.
Elements of Gothic literature frequently feature
- Monsters
- Demons
- Witches
- Ghosts
- Banshees
- Vampires
- Other Supernatural Beings
When learning Gothic literature, you will closely feel the presence of ghosts or giants walking or inanimate objects. Supernatural events were briefly explained to make the plot both fearful and exciting. The giant walking, which we all see in Hollywood films, is derived from Gothic literature. Vampires, monsters, or otherworldly beings, which we all see in horror films, were first used in gothic novels. Ghosts and vampires were explained from top to bottom, which made us wonder about their existence. In simple words, it blurred the line between human and supernatural events. It managed to control our minds and made us think whether the ghosts are for real or just our imaginations.
In most cases, readers become so fearful of the mysterious plot that they cannot properly sleep at night. Are you also interested in reading supernatural gothic literature books? Find a list below.
- The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe
- Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
- Dracula by Bram Stoker
- The Turn of the Screw by Henry James
- The Vampyre by John William Polidori
Antiheroes
It is also an important element of Gothic literature. Anti-heroes were also portrayed in Gothic literature. In other literature, heroes were portrayed to be perfect and always morally right. However, in Gothic literature, an antihero is a character who is complex and has flaws. He is a lonely, ostracized figure who lives alone. To establish a reputation in society, the protagonist must work hard to face the challenges. He is a character who is easily manipulated, morally ambiguous, and emotionally unstable.
The antihero plays an important role in Gothic literature. You can find many examples of antiheroes in Gothic literature. This type of character helped in briefly explaining the complexity of human nature. Find some of the gothic literature books inspired by weak and deeply flawed protagonists.
- Victor Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
- Count Dracula by Bram Stoker
- Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
- The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe
Melodrama
Gothic literature is known for its strong emotional content. A great feeling of drama should be reflected in the work with heightened emotion. Due to unseen inner torments, women frequently pass out and males become angry. Numerous murders, insane persons, and kidnappings are also visible. The villain came off as a strong persona, but ultimately, good triumphs over evil.
Explorations of Romance and Sexuality
Gothic literature gave Victorian readers and authors a way to explore passion and sensuality within the stuffy Victorian era. Thoughts, urges, and wants that were transgressive were present, but they tended to be pretty heteronormative. Gothic literature often depicts sexuality in suppressed forms. Women are supposed to be weak and subservient. Men are predators, and women are supposed to be chaste. Men were viewed as superior in a patriarchal society, and women were expected to obey every decision made by men.
Distressed Women
The female characters in the gothic literature are always portrayed as distressed, helpless, and stressed. They are either abandoned, left alone, and crying in the whole scene. Their suffering and helplessness were briefly mentioned, which helped in captivating the gothic reader’s experience.
In the other half of the literature, women are threatened and manipulated. Popular novelists make the female characters threatened by powerful male characters. They are either forced to marry someone they don’t love or forced to leave their love of life for varied reasons. In simple words, they don’t have any protector, and this theme questioned the freedom and societal expectations of women.
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Death and Horror
Death is also one of the main elements of Gothic literature. Whenever the term gothic literature is mentioned, it is just incomplete without discussing death and horror. A graveyard, a bloody knife, and a funeral are things that you will find in almost all gothic novels. In most of the novels, the main character has either died or is mentioned as a spirit haunting people.
Death is the central theme of Gothic literature. Why? Because it explores the darker theme of human nature. The further mention of ghosts, curses, or eternal punishment raises questions about moral belief. In simple words, gothic novels and writers are obsessed with the theme of death. You can find examples of Gothic literature with the main theme of death.
- A Nervous Splendor: Vienna 1888–1889, Frederic Morton
- Down a Dark Hall, Lois Duncan
- The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe
- The Gashlycrumb Tinies, Edward Gorey, 1963
Omens and Curses
Omens and curses are something we all might have heard somewhere in our lives. Gothic literature clearly explains strange weather patterns or mysterious symbols. Main characters used to see unusual dreams and ghostly appearances. Writers introduced characters whose lives were controlled by supernatural forces. Fear, suspense, and fatalism are some of the main themes. Authors use omens to build tension and describe how some forces are beyond our control in our lives.
The Gothic is a genre that looks at unexplainable happenings and stimulates encounters with the extraordinary. It is characterized by spiritual uneasiness. Gothic literature terrifies by exposing readers to the evils that exist in our society. Moreover, there is a lot to know about this kind of genre. If you are interested in exploring and learning about this genre, enrolling in an online literature course can be the best option. Online learning platform Udemy offers the best gothic literature courses online, through which you can start exploring literature from the comfort of your home. It is easy to start and learn literature via online courses.
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What is Southern Gothic Literature
Southern American Gothic literature is greatly influenced by Gothic literature. However, it significantly differs from the main theme of Gothic novels. The majority of the tales involve Black people and slavery; struggles and setbacks they have experienced in the past are briefly discussed.
Continue reading to learn how the southern elements of Gothic literature developed.
Deep South and Decay: Elements of Gothic Literature
- Deep South America serves as the setting for Southern Gothic. Additionally, only people from the South are writers.
- The writing and settings become more realistic as a result.
- The Deep South of America is shown in a set that has a sense of deterioration, and the writers are from the region, adding credibility to the setting’s sense of decay, the pretense of respectability, and faded elegance.
- Therefore, the South’s gothic literature depicts Black slave history.
- Almost all Southern Gothic novels portray a moral and physical decline.
- The two most crucial components of Southern American Gothic literature are these two things.
Elements of Gothic Literature as Black Folks
- We’ve seen that the gothic features in Western books exclude Black people.
- The protagonists of both European and American Gothic literature have white skin, and the ghosts that stalk them frequently identify as Christians.
- Never will you encounter a ghost of African heritage.
- But when we discuss the southern elements of gothic, Black people are the main protagonists.
- The distinctiveness of southern Americans lies in their black personalities.
- The Black tradition is well portrayed in Southern America.
- It has everything about the Black audience, including food and music.
Voodoo and Spirituality: Elements of Gothic Literature
- The slaves from Africa brought their religion with them when they immigrated to southern America.
- They began spreading their voodoo rituals and ideologies.
- Southern elements of gothic fiction are largely based on New Orleans.
Mystery and suspense were the main themes of Gothic novels. On the other hand, innocence and innocent people are the main themes of Southern Gothic literature. Harper Lee, Toni Morrison, and Karen Russell are some of the famous Southern Gothic literature authors. There are nearly 325 books in Southern Gothic literature. To Kill a Mockingbird, Beloved, and The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter are some of the best books in this genre.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Who is the father of Gothic literature?
Answer: The first gothic novel, The Castle of Otranto (1764), written by Horace Walpole, is the father of gothic literature. He marked the beginning of this genre, which is still used in the filmmaking process.
Question 2: Who is the most famous Gothic author?
Answer: Edgar Allan Poe is one of the famous names in Gothic literature. He has written many stories and poems.
Question 3: What are the key features of Gothic literature?
Answer: Dark and mysterious themes, supernatural forces, intense emotions, expensive settings, and complex and flawed characters are the main features of gothic literature.
Question 4: What are the 5 elements of Gothic literature?
Answer: Melodrama, suspense, death and curses, supernatural events, and antiheros are the five elements of gothic literature.