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Gothic Horror Literature
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Gothic Horror is a spectacular genre of literature that all follows a formula. This formula has produced some of the most iconic stories that we all know and love. They've been manipulated into films, television films and tv series; these have happened many times over. It's just something we're yet to get bored of.
But what makes a Gothic Novel?
I remember through gritted teeth having 'Gothic Novel' drummed into my head while studying 'Wuthering Heights' Spoiler alert, I've never read it. It's just one of those novels I can't stand. There's a MILLION names to pick from and the author choses to name two of the characters similar/variations of one name. NOT NEED. Anyway, that's my rant over. For a book to be a true Gothic Horror there must be some (or lots- depending how gothic we're going) of the following:
This is pretty vague, So I hunted around and tried to find something a little more helpful. Gothic Horror being taught at school is great because it means there are endless resources online. This one is a little more helpful:
Mix a few of these together and there you have a good old Gothic Novel waiting to happen. While hunting for all of this information, I found these hillarious images from The Guardian, and they just seemed too good to not include:
But what makes a Gothic Novel?
I remember through gritted teeth having 'Gothic Novel' drummed into my head while studying 'Wuthering Heights' Spoiler alert, I've never read it. It's just one of those novels I can't stand. There's a MILLION names to pick from and the author choses to name two of the characters similar/variations of one name. NOT NEED. Anyway, that's my rant over. For a book to be a true Gothic Horror there must be some (or lots- depending how gothic we're going) of the following:
- Gloomy, decaying setting (haunted houses or castles with secret passages, trapdoors, and other mysterious architecture)
- Supernatural beings or monsters (ghosts, vampires, zombies, giants)
- Curses or prophecies
- Damsels in distress
- Heroes
- Romance
- Intense emotions
(ANON., n.d.)
This is pretty vague, So I hunted around and tried to find something a little more helpful. Gothic Horror being taught at school is great because it means there are endless resources online. This one is a little more helpful:
"Elements of the Gothic Novel
Gothic Elements include the following:
1. Setting in a castle. The action takes place in and around an old castle, sometimes seemingly abandoned, sometimes occupied. The castle often contains secret passages, trap doors, secret rooms, dark or hidden staircases, and possibly ruined sections. The castle may be near or connected to caves, which lend their own haunting flavor with their branchings, claustrophobia, and mystery.
2. An atmosphere of mystery and suspense. The work is pervaded by a threatening feeling, a fear enhanced by the unknown. Often the plot itself is built around a mystery, such as unknown parentage, a disappearance, or some other inexplicable event. Elements 3, 4, and 5 below add to this.
3. An ancient prophecy is connected with the castle or its inhabitants (either former or present). The prophecy is usually obscure, partial, or confusing. “What could it mean?” In more watered down modern examples, this may amount to merely a legend: “It’s said that the ghost of old man Krebs still wanders these halls.”
4. Omens, portents, visions. A character may have a disturbing dream vision, or some phenomenon may be seen as a portent of coming events. For example, if the statue of the lord of the manor falls over, it may portend his death.
5. Supernatural or otherwise inexplicable events. Dramatic, amazing events occur, such as ghosts or giants walking, or inanimate objects (such as a suit of armor or painting) coming to life. In some works, the events are ultimately given a natural explanation, while in others the events are truly supernatural.
6. High, even overwrought emotion. The narration may be highly sentimental, and the characters are often overcome by anger, sorrow, surprise, and especially, terror. Characters suffer from raw nerves and a feeling of impending doom. Crying and emotional speeches are frequent. Breathlessness and panic are common.
7. Women in distress. As an appeal to the pathos and sympathy of the reader, the female characters often face events that leave them fainting, terrified, screaming, and/or sobbing. A lonely, pensive, and oppressed heroine is often the central figure of the novel, so her sufferings are even more pronounced and the focus of attention.
8. Women threatened by a powerful, impulsive, tyrannical male. One or more male characters has the power, as king, lord of the manor, father, or guardian, to demand that one or more of the female characters do something intolerable. The woman may be commanded to marry someone she does not love (it may even be the powerful male himself), or commit a crime.
9. The metaphor of gloom and horror. Use of pathetic fallacy (where some event in nature such as thunder is used to represent disruption in the human world)."
(Henneman 2012)
Mix a few of these together and there you have a good old Gothic Novel waiting to happen. While hunting for all of this information, I found these hillarious images from The Guardian, and they just seemed too good to not include:
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Nikerlina. xo |
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