Elements of Gothic Literature . •Characters are often passionate and strong-willed, defying others or even their own common sense in pursuit of their goals. Created by. Gothic fiction is a genre of literature that features elements of horror and death as the primary components of its stories. [We'll wait.] Gothic literature stresses an atmosphere of mystery, horror and dread. The truth behind the influence of Gothic literature can be found in two of its most common themes: the supernatural and madness. •Women are often curious and have a tendency to swoon, while men storm and rage in reflection of unseen inner torments. Like the castles of the European gothic, L’Abri belongs to a proud aristocratic family– Armand describes his name as “one of the oldest and proudest in Louisiana”. An idea that is often used in gothic novels is having a woman in distress. Gothic fiction has its beginnings in Britain during the latter half of the 18th century. Figures largely in the "first" gothic romance, Walpole's Castle of Otranto. Sitemap. Theme. The earlier half had been dominated by essays, treatises, dramas, satires, and realistic fiction that was informed by Enlightenment ideals of reason and progress. Works that are usually considered “gothic” include elements of melodrama, terror, mystery, dread, sorrow, dark and stormy settings, and even threatening and/or supernatural beings or elements. Gothic is a literary genre, and a characteristically modern one. supernatural beings - monsters, vampires, ghosts, werewolves, and such. Gothic literature is intimately associated with the Gothic Revival architecture of the same era. Elements of Gothic Literature. Ready? Works Cited. The dark setting foreshadows the dark theme of the story. Let's play a word association. The word ‘genre’ comes from the Latin ‘genus’ which means ‘kind’. One of the major elements of the Gothic found in Chopin’s story is found in the setting. Edgar Allan Poe is one of the many great writers of Gothic Literature which is seen by the various components he incorporates into his stories. Setting. PLAY. We're going to say a word, and you're going to tell us what it makes you think of. Since various definite film genres—including science fiction, film noir, thriller, and comedy—have used Gothic elements, the Gothic film is challenging to define clearly as a genre. Gothic Elements. A particular genre or style of writing appeals to those readers who can relate to or associate themselves with characters or events depicted in the stories. Weather plays an important function in Gothic literature, and remains one of the keys in decoding the inner landscape of the protagonists. GOT The protagonists of Gothic literature are isolated or alone. Flashcards. She shows this as her work reflects many of the key elements that are associated with romanticism. A genre isn’t like a box in which a group of texts all neatly fit and can be safely classified; there is no essence or a single element that belongs to all Gothics. Large, drafty old houses Family estates. Some of the literary elements of horror include mood, foreshadowing, surprise, suspense, mystery and humor. See if you can figure out some of these in relation to the books you're studying. Finally, Gothic literature of all types explores the dark connections of the human mind at its most desperate with supernatural elements. Have your pens ready to record the highlights of your journey … Gothic Context The gothic was first used as a Medieval, architectural term to describe a style of building that included gargoyles, scenes of Hell, and souls in torment. The pursued protagonist The main character is often haunted for their transgressions, yet they aren't fully aware of it. An Ancient Prophecy. Comparing Gothic Elements in Fall of the House of Usher, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Ligeia, and American Slave Gothic literature has a number of conventions, including evils of horror, present of light and dark, suggestions of the supernatural, and dark and exotic localities such as castles and crumbling mansions (American). Professor John Bowen discusses key motifs in Gothic novels, including the uncanny, the sublime and the supernatural. Women in Distress. Gothic literature has some element of horror in it, something terrifying, spooky, or horrific. Elements of gothic literature include romance, a castle or manor house, the potential of the supernatural, an unlikely hero, a sinister villain and isolation. Most Gothic literature contains certain key elements that include: Atmosphere: The atmosphere in a Gothic novel is one characterized by mystery, suspense, and fear, which is usually heightened by elements of the unknown or unexplained. The Gothic film is a film that is based on Gothic fiction or contains Gothic elements. Whether they invoke the supernatural directly or rely upon the imagination of the reader to provide it, Gothic writers use the supernatural to build suspense, and create special effects for the reader. Gravity. A Glossary of Literary Gothic Terms Ancestral Curse Evil, misfortune, or harm that comes as a response to or retribution for deeds or misdeeds committed against or by one's ancestor(s). Stoker introduced the Victorian people to gothic elements in his literary works. Go. In the 12th century, advancements in engineering allowed for increasingly colossal buildings, and the style’s signature vaulting, buttresses, and pointed building tops paved way for taller structures that still retained natural light. and find homework help for other Gothic Literature questions at eNotes Horror stories can also use allegory and serve as moral tales or object lessons. Elements of a Southern Gothic. This is not a Gothic invention; literature has a long history of exploration of the supernatural. Setting: The setting of a Gothic novel can often rightly be considered a character in its own right. The plot involves hidden secrets which threaten the protagonist. One element of gothic literature is a gloomy or decaying setting. The vogue was initiated in England by Horace Walpole’s immensely successful Castle of Otranto (1765). Often present in Gothic novels not only as a form of sympathetic background, certain elements of weather are typically used to mirror and magnify the feelings of the protagonist, to establish moods, and to underscore the action of the story. jordanfrazier97. For example some of the most popular themes include women in distress, a byronic hero, science for evil purposes, death, and supernatural presences. Gothic architecture is a European style of masonry that values height, intricacy, sizable windows, and exaggerated arches. Test. Symbols. Gothic LiteratureGothic Literature Prepare to enter a bizarre, new, yet perhaps oddly familiar world. Key Elements . Summary. The elements of Gothic literature carved their way into the mainstream and were used in novels by notable writers. They exhibit paranoia at the possibility of ‘them’ meeting the force. This scene describes the gloomy setting the literature place in. In which century did the period known as 'Gothic' begin? ELEMENTS OF GOTHIC LITERATURE EMOTIONS •Emotions run high in Gothic literature. The Gothic Thematic Elements/Plot Settings Characters. Hopefully a few of these will be familiar to you, but there are many many more, such as the innocent and virginal damsel-in-distress, insanity, framing the novel e.g. Mary Shelley lived and wrote her novel Frankenstein during the peak of the romantic era of literature in the early 1800's. In conclusion, there are many different themes and tropes common to gothic literature. Quizzes | Create a quiz Progress: 1 of 10 questions . It harbors secrets of its own– the letter from Armand’s parents let loose almost sadistically at the end. Match. So to ask what genre a text belongs to is to ask what kind of text it is. The houses feature also represent Poe as himself as well. Spell. Walpole's novel was imitated in the eighteenth century, but enjoyed widespread influence in the nineteenth century in part because of that era's indulgence in dark-romantic themes. How much do you know? In his life, Poe did not take good care of himself. As Gothic architecture plays an … Gothic Literature Introduction. Mystery and suspense enhanced by the plot. The third and final element of gothic literature that can be found in “The Tell-Tale Heart” is that of the presence of madness and the thin boundary line that exists between sanity and insanity.The narrator repeatedly presents himself as a reliable and completely sane character in the story. In Frankenstein, Shelley also utilizes many of the elements of gothic literature. 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