5/17/2023 0 Comments Gothic literature words![]() ![]() Indeed, blurring the boundaries between good and bad, human and monster, the novel interrogates prevailing value systems to the extent that monstrosity becomes uncannily pervasive, an effect of and intrinsic to the sphere of the human.Ĭourtesy of Caslin Luo, 2004, National University of Singapore class: EN 4223 - Topics in the Nineteenth Century: The Gothic and After, Gothic Keywords project. Imbued with Romantic sympathies for the outcast and rebel, the novel presents a humane and suffering monster, less a figure of vice and transgression and more a victim of monstrous social exclusions. The monstrous disclosure of the instability of systems of moral and aesthetic meaning produced ambivalent monsters, best evinced in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1818). As overt displays of vice, monsters presented and cautioned readers against excessive and indulgence in improper behaviour – thus emphasizing the values and benefits of morally upright and honourable conduct and evoking the socially-expected reactions to examples of vice. Gothic has many archaic features, among which are dual number (a plural form expressing two persons or things as distinct from three or more), reduplication (repetition of part of a word) in one class of verbs, special vocative case forms in two classes of nouns, and passive voice forms in the verbs. The monster and the notion of monstrosity serve a useful critical and moral function in the Gothic tradition as a composite term for a collection of negative and socially unacceptable features. Indeed, the numerous evil aristocrats, monks and quasi-paternal figures – the staple villains of Gothic novels – display characteristics of monstrosity throughout Gothic fiction of that period. Lewis’s The Monk, the protagonist has been attacked in reviews for being a monster, that is, for representing and encouraging every type of improper, depraved and licentious behaviour. In literary terms, it involved works that crossed the boundaries of reason and morality, presenting excessive and viciously improper scenes and characters. A monster portrayed an image of deformity and irregularity. It was viewed as the antithesis of neo-classical values of harmony and unified composition. This can be in the form of a murder or other such macabre themes laced throughout the text.In 18th century aesthetic and moral criticism, the word ‘monster’ signified ugliness, irrationality and all things and events unnatural. Macabre and morbid - No Gothic tale is complete without a little death and destruction. Every piece of gothic literature contains all of a majority of these elements. Omens and prophecies - The protagonist or a supporting character will often typically have distressing dreams, visions or prophecies connected to the setting or events of the story.Īgony and ecstasy - Gothic stories are often characterized by melodrama, inner turmoil, intrigue, and insanity as well as sweeping romance, grandiose passions and enchanting prose. Gothic literature has 10 key elements which include setting, environment, atmosphere, protagonists, emotions, damsels in distress, foreboding, supernatural, decay, and drama. Sometimes these supernatural figures are literal, and other times they are symbolic or have a natural explanation. Paranormal activity - Gothic novels are famous for featuring ghosts, vampires, monsters, and other shadowy figures. Terror - The protagonist is haunted by supernatural or seemingly supernatural events such as doors suddenly closing, baying of dogs, footsteps, moans, and eerie sounds in the night. Suspense - Gothic plot lines typically revolve around suspenseful events, familial mysteries, disappearances, unexplainable events, and frightening objects. According to the algorithm that drives this word similarity engine, the top 5 related words for Gothic novel are: Gothic, roman noir, novelette, ogive, and. Examples include rain, storms, a chill in the air or howling wind.Īrchetypal character traits - Gothic literature typically has particular types of characters: a distressed heroine, tyrannical male characters (usually villains) and anti-heroes, also known as Byronic heroes after Romantic poet Lord Byron. However, it is also worth noting that the novel is a work of fiction and should be understood in the context of its historical and literary context. Natural imagery - A hallmark of both Romanticism and Gothic literature is imagery, particularly pertaining to nature.ĭark atmosphere - No Gothic story is complete without atmosphere, including complementary weather conditions. The novel does indeed portray the protagonist, Robert Wringhim, as suffering from mental illness, and his descent into violent fanaticism is a central part of the plot. ![]() Some common types of settings include castles, haunted houses, graveyards, and dark forests. This is because Gothic literature has specific characteristics like:Ĭreepy settings - In Gothic fiction, the setting is a character in its own right. There is a reason the word “gothic” brings to mind trap doors, castles, monasteries, and more. ![]()
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