Gothic Literature

By: Justin Solaiman

The art of Horror• Gothic Fiction began with Horace

Walpole’s Castle Otranto in 1762.

How did Gothic Fiction come about?

• Most scholars agree that the revival of Gothic came about as a reaction to the political, social, and artistic climate of the mid 18th century.

• Gothic incorporates aspects of horror, romance, death, and the supernatural.

Why is it called Gothic Revival?

-We can attribute Gothic Revival, at least the term, to the early original Gothic Architecture of the medieval period, though even before that the term gothic was used to identify the German tribesmen that surrounded the Roman Empire in the Neoclassical Age.

What are some famous Gothic novels I might know?

• Many well known books came from being directly inspired by these movements. Books such as Dracula, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Frankenstein, and The Cask of Amontillado to name a few.

Gothic Spotlight: Edgar Allan Poe

• “Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.” -Edgar Allan Poe

• Famous Works: • "The Black Cat“• "Tamerlane“• "The Murders in the Rue Morgue“• "The Light-House"

Gothic Fiction and Art

• Early Gothic Fiction influenced art was not apart of any huge artistic movement or any of the such, but more a need by authors and audiences alike to visualize the horrific themes included in the novels.

Famous Artists Associated with Gothic Fiction

• Theodor Von Holst• Painted the cover of Frankenstein.

• Harry Clarke• Made stain glass piece inspired by Cask of

Amontillado.

Effect of Gothic Art

• Gothic took form in gothic revival architecture, which was the stereotypical haunted castle, in the time the interesting use of the structures during the 1770’s, which essentially became political statements as well as art. Contemporary fine artists who regularly apply themes of Gothic Fiction include Anne Sudworth (1993-present), and Nathaniel Milljour (2007-present).

Gothic Fiction and Society

• In the late 18th century, the birthplace of modern gothic revival, the genre was not thought of in high regards, as most of us would probably assume. It took much time before it became a household name with exponential popularity, and before that even, it’s biting metaphorical social commentary brought changes however subtle to England and America.

Gothic Fiction Social Commentary• As a whole though, gothic fiction epitomized the

straining issues of the time because Gothic narratives during this period largely were written in response to anxiety over the change in social and political structure brought about by such events as the French Revolution, the rise in secular-based government, in addition to an increasing demand for realism rather than fantasy. The Gothic worlds depicted fears about what might happen, what could go wrong and through this lens of metaphors did the reputation of gothic fiction grow.

"I may die; but first you, my tyrant and tormentor, shall curse the sun that gazes on your misery. Beware; for I am fearless, and

therefore powerful.“ –Mary Shelley, Frankenstein

Gothic Fiction and Religion

• Gothic fiction was known, perhaps infamously, for it’s commentary on all forms of political institution, society, and especially religion. Almost all gothic fiction novelists use their stories to point out the hypocrisies of the Church of England and the Catholic Church.

The Monk

• A popular stereotypical character representative of this idea is the monk. In stories usually there is a man of god, a monk, who is experiencing some sort of internal struggle with his religiously moral ways and some kind of evil he is tempted by, which he sometimes will give into and do terrible things.

Anti-Church Gothic

• As we can see, gothic fiction brought a very modern, secular, viewpoint of popular religions of the time as a direct reaction to the enlightenment period just beginning in the early 19th century, a very anti-Catholic approach.

Gothic Fiction and Politics

• In the early 1770’s, where Gothic fiction was taking root, the Saxon was the favorable group of ideals to support, later gothic would be synonymous with this idea. Later gothic would be related to Norman ideology, a relatively unpopular group. In this way then, Gothic fiction has a strong political history.

The Political Agenda of Gothic Writing

• Prime Minister Robert Walpole, author of Castle of Otranto used his work to further his political goal and relate gothic to the progressive ideas of the time.

"Gothic Literature." Online Image. Gothic Culture. 20 Jan 2011. 15 Mar 2011 <http://www.gothic-culture.com/images/stories/Art/literature/

Gothic_literature/gothic_literature.jpg>.

Works Cited• "Dr, Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Poster." Online Image. Lolita's Classics. 12 July 2010. 14

Mar 2011 <http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zAoyoHwC5IQ/TDs_W-_6loI/AAAAAAAAInc/SETei4gbFas/s1600/Dr.+Jekyll+and+Mr.+Hyde+-+poster+1880.png>.

• "Edgar Allan Poe." Online Image. Famous Poets and Poems .com. 9 Apr 2006. 14 Mar 2010 <http://famouspoetsandpoems.com/pictures/edgar_allan_poe.jpg>

• "Frankenstein and the Creature." Online Image. From Beyond Depraved. 8 Dec 2010. 14 Mar 2011 <http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ULMDV4HUi60/TP_S6zgOsgI/AAAAAAAACeo/ZwQO3KTTaZo/s1600/wrightson_frankenstein.gif>.

• Giordano, Dick. "Harker Receives a Visit in the Night...." Online Image. Comic Vine. 25 Jun 2010. 14 Mar 2011 <http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/2/28010/1275885-dracula_01_0028_super.jpg>.