What is Gothic Literature? | A Brief Introduction to the Genre

Summary

In this video, Mr. Watson, a secondary school English teacher, introduces Gothic literature by exploring its key characteristics. He explains how the genre emerged from Gothic architecture and highlights common elements such as dark settings, fear, mystery, and the supernatural. The video also discusses classic works like 'Frankenstein,' 'Dracula,' and 'The Picture of Dorian Gray,' as well as modern examples such as 'The Shining.' Mr. Watson delves into key tropes like eerie settings, psychological torment, and otherworldly creatures, helping viewers recognize Gothic literature's defining features.

Takeaways

• 📚 Gothic literature is characterized by darkness, fear, mystery, and the supernatural.
• 🏰 The term 'Gothic' originates from European Middle Ages' Gothic architecture, which features long pointed arches, stained glass windows, and spires.
• 🌑 Gothic settings often include bleak, abandoned places like castles, forests, and cemeteries.
• 😈 Evil is a recurring theme in Gothic literature, including human malevolence, lies, violence, and curses.
• 🔄 Stories often explore changes, such as shifts in personality, appearance, attitudes, or settings.
• 😱 Gothic literature delves into fear, the gruesome, and psychological or physical torment of characters.
• 👻 The supernatural plays a big role, with elements like vampires, ghosts, zombies, and werewolves.
• 🧠 Characters in Gothic fiction often face both psychological and physical torment, such as depression, anxiety, or paralysis.
• 🕰 Early Gothic works include 'The Castle of Otranto,' 'The Raven,' and 'Frankenstein,' while later works feature 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' and 'Dracula.'
• 📖 Modern Gothic stories include 'The Woman in Black,' 'The Shining,' and 'Beloved,' continuing the genre's influence today.

Q & A

What is Gothic literature, and where does the term originate from?

Gothic literature is a genre characterized by darkness, fear, mystery, and the supernatural. The term 'Gothic' originates from the Gothic architecture of the European Middle Ages, known for pointed arches, stained glass windows, and spires, which became common settings in early Gothic novels.

What are some common elements and characteristics of Gothic literature?

Common elements in Gothic literature include eerie settings that inspire fear, the exploration of evil within humans, themes of deceit, violence, curses, and the supernatural. These stories also frequently relate to the 19th century (fasca), focusing on changes in characters or settings.

What types of settings are typically found in Gothic literature?

Settings in Gothic literature are often bleak or abandoned places such as forests, castles, and cemeteries, which create an atmosphere of fear and suspense.

How do Gothic stories typically portray characters?

Characters in Gothic stories often experience both physical torment, like pain or paralysis, and psychological torment, such as anxiety, depression, or guilt. In many cases, characters suffer from both forms of torment.

What role does the supernatural play in Gothic literature?

The supernatural is a central theme in Gothic literature, with stories frequently involving otherworldly creatures such as vampires, ghosts, zombies, and werewolves, adding to the mystery and fear in the genre.

Can you provide examples of early Gothic literature?

Some examples of early Gothic literature include 'The Castle of Otranto' by Horace Walpole, 'The Raven' by Edgar Allan Poe, and 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley.

Which famous Gothic works were written during the 19th century?

Notable Gothic works from the 19th century include 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' by Robert Louis Stevenson, 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' by Oscar Wilde, and 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker.

How did Gothic literature evolve during the Victorian era?

While Gothic literature became less popular during the Victorian era, works such as 'Tales of The Uncanny and Supernatural' by Algernon Blackwood and 'The Call of Cthulhu' by H.P. Lovecraft continued to explore dark and supernatural themes.

What are some modern examples of Gothic literature influenced by earlier works?

Modern examples influenced by Gothic literature include 'The Woman in Black' by Susan Hill, 'The Shining' by Stephen King, 'Beloved' by Toni Morrison, and 'Linden Hills' by Gloria Naylor.

What are some key tropes or themes commonly found in Gothic plots?

Gothic plots often include fear, violence, and the macabre, focusing on gruesome and death-related elements. Additionally, suspense and tension are frequently used to build atmosphere in these stories.