Gothic Literature. Origins. Elements. Characteristics. Common plots, themes and characters. Edgar Allan Poe. Short stories.

1. Gothic Literature
Trinidad Porretti
-Final Paper

2. What is Gothic Literaturefiction?
The term Gothic fiction refers to a style of
writing that is characterized by elements of
fear, horror, death, and gloom, as well as
romantic elements, such as nature, individuality,
and very high emotion. It employs dark and
picturesque scenery, startling and melodramatic
narrative devices, and an overall atmosphere of
exoticism, mystery, fear, and dread. The fear and
suspense are present for both the characters and
the readers. Gothic literature tend to deal with
the macabre and gruesome, as well as with haunted
and abandoned houses or people.
It’s name derives from the medieval
buildings, with a gothic architectural
design. Some of the most known
gothic authors (deceased) are Edgar
Allan Poe, Ann Radcliffe, Horace
Walpole and Matthew Lewis, while a
very know gothic author who
remains alive is Stephen King.

3. The Origins of Gothic Literature
Gothic literature developed during the Romantic period in Britain; the first mention of
"Gothic," as pertaining to literature, was in the subtitle of Horace Walpole's 1765 story "The Castle
of Otranto: A Gothic Story" which, the British Library says, was meant by the author as a subtle
joke. "When he used the word it meant something like ‘barbarous,’ as well as ‘deriving from the
Middle Ages.’". He employed elements of the supernatural as well as the everyday in a manner to
strike fear into the reader. Though this was not the first time in literature that the supernatural was
used in writing to a frightful effect; Shakespeare, for example, used King Hamlet’s Ghost in Hamlet
and the three witches in Macbeth. This was the first time they were used for the purpose of
terrifying its audience.
The supernatural elements in the story launched a whole new genre, which took off in
Europe. Then America's Edgar Allen Poe got a hold of it in the mid-1800s and succeeded like no
one else. In Gothic literature, he found a place to explore psychological trauma, the evils of man,
and mental illness.
In its attention to the dark side of human nature and the chaos of irrationality, the Gothic
provides for contemporary readers some insight into the social and intellectual climate of the time
in which the literature was produced. A time of revolution and reason, madness and sanity kept in
secret.

4. Elements of
Gothic
Literature
Setting
Gothic literature often is set in old, rundown structures: especially castles
or great country manors. The building usually features hidden passages,
trap doors, dungeons or secret rooms, and has suffered a decline from its
former greatness.
Environment
The environment around the setting reflects a bleak or foreboding
atmosphere: dark forests, imposing mountains, stormy weather, strong
winds or areas far away from civilisation.
Atmosphere
Gothic literature stresses an atmosphere of mystery, horror, fear and
dread. The plot involves hidden secrets which threaten the protagonist.
Protagonists
The protagonists of Gothic literature are usually isolated or alone. That
isolation could be physical (trapped in a house far from civilisation) or
emotional (cut off from the people around them), and may either be
self-imposed or a result of circumstances beyond their control. Thay have
to deal with their issues on their own.
Emotions
Emotions run high in Gothic literature. Characters are often passionate
and strong-willed, defying others or even their own common sense in
pursuit of their goals. Women are often curious and have a tendency to
swoon, while men storm and rage in reflection of unseen inner torments.

5. Elements of
Gothic
Literature
Damsels in Distress
The "damsel in distress" motif appears quite often in Gothic
literature, with women threatened by tyrannical men or just the
circumstances in which they find themselves. They often appear
frightened and may suffer from some kind of illness.
Foreboding
Ominous implications precede dark events in Gothic literature.
Unlucky omens appear, ancient curses linger, and dark forces
beyond the hero’s understanding frustrate his ambitions.
The Supernatural
The supernatural often appears in Gothic literature, particularly
ghosts and unexplained manifestations. These tend to be the
source of the conflict.
Decay
The overall impression of a Gothic world is one of decay: a formerly
great family, community, country or individual who has peaked and
now begins a slow process of decline. This appears both in the
landscape (crumbling buildings) and in the characters themselves.
Drama
The events in Gothic literature emphasise high emotion and often
reflect a heightened sense of drama. Examples include murders,
kidnappings, people going mad and tragic illnesses.

6. Edgar Allan Poe
American writer, poet and critic Edgar Allan Poe is famous for his
tales and poems of horror and mystery, including "The Fall of the House
of Usher," "The Tell-Tale Heart" and "The Raven. He is one of the best
and most known gothic authors. He was adopted at the age of three by a
man after the death of his parents. He excelled at school and at college
but had to leave due to financial issues and join the army. When he
returned home, he started writing and he lived off it. He is most famous
or his short stories; such as the ones mentioned before, “The Black Cat”
and “The Cask of Amontillado”, all gothic short stories. They all have
gloomy atmospheres and disturbing settings, involving dread which incite
fear in the audience.Poe died at the early age of 40 in a situation with
characteristics that could fit his style of writing.
-“The Fall of the House of Usher” possesses the essential features of the
Gothic tale: a haunted house, dreary landscape, mysterious sickness,
and doubled personality.
-”The Tell Tale Heart” has the elements of madness and insanity,
dreadful and gloomy atmosphere, and a connection between the
characters behaviour with the setting.
-The Cask of Amontillado”; has a gloomy atmosphere, a morbid setting(a
dark vault full of dead bodies) and deals with revenge.

7. PLots and Themes of Gothic LIterature
During the first few years when Gothic literature just appeared, the writers followed a model that
the background will always be in an old castle, an abandoned height or somewhere forsaken. Rather
than describing the horror directly, they use atmosphere instead. This is exactly how Gothic literature
differs from traditional horrific literature. The atmosphere would always be mystic and dread,
emotions running high, with a plot of, generally, hidden secrets, ghost, vampire and miserable life.
Gothic derives from the style of medieval architecture; settings may include: medieval castles,
churches, cathedrals, older houses, or manors. An additional feeling of mystery can be added to a
gothic setting through: dark corridors, gloomy chambers, creepy hallways, spooky dungeons,
mysterious forests, old graveyards, and other wild, strange, or dangerous locations.
Typical plots have to do with revenge, a haunted house by a supernatural evil, mental
illness(insanity), macabre protagonist, murder or decay( of a family, a country, a community or an
individual). They usually depict a fallen society, which has come to some sort of evil, supernatural
power or temptation. In turn, the society must be brought from the dark to the light by its characters,
who have to fight against evil. Plots also revolve around an ancient prophecy or a family mystery.
These innate, inherited curses are passed on to relatives, whom have to live their live dealing with a
terrible family curse. With this concept, there is often a protagonist that has to overcome this
ancestral curse in order to restore life back to order.

8. Characters in Gothic Stories.
The Villain Is Dark and Alluring. The Gothic villain—usually male—is
often extremely handsome, intelligent, successful, talented, and/or
charming, although there is usually some telltale warning sign to warn us
that his looks are deceiving. Gothic villains often pose as innocents or
victims. (Example; Lord Dracula, Heathcliff, and Dorian Gray.)
Anti-Villain. Just as the hero or protagonist is typically flawed in Gothic
lit, the villain often has extremely attractive qualities. Gothic lit likes to flirt
with the boundary between good and evil and keep us guessing which is
which. So the good guy might look like a monster. Sometimes, you'll see a
villain whose complex, conflicting psychology makes him the most
interesting and likable character in the story.
Hero-Villain. A Gothic bad guy often has such such a sympathetic
psychology and past that readers stop thinking in simple terms of black and
white. He becomes a hybrid between bad and good.
Damsel in distress. She usually is a victim, either of the people
surrounding her or of the circumstances. A man usually is the one who
saves her from this situation.