https://padlet.com/15descoul/h41tfzuw6fqh7ti1 Research into gothic literature en-us 2020-09-10 17:14:13 UTC 2020-09-10 18:24:19 UTC hello@padlet.com 15descoul https://padlet.com/15descoul/h41tfzuw6fqh7ti1/wish/736113898 The term Gothic fiction refers to a style of writing that is characterised by elements of fear, horror, death and gloom as well as romantic elements, such as nature, individuality and very high emotions.]]> 2020-09-10 17:19:10 UTC https://padlet.com/15descoul/h41tfzuw6fqh7ti1/wish/736113898 15descoul https://padlet.com/15descoul/h41tfzuw6fqh7ti1/wish/736206857 A great example of a gothic text would be Frankenstein. Frankenstein is a gothic novel as it employs mystery, secrecy and unsettling psychology to tell the story of Dr. Frankensteins doomed monster. The Gothic emerged as a literary genre in the 1750s, and is characterized by supernatural elements, mysterious and secretive events, settings in ancient and isolated locations, and psychological undercurrents often related to family dynamics and repressed sexuality. In Frankenstein, readers get only vague descriptions of the process Victor uses to construct the monster, and descriptions like “Who shall conceive the horrors of my secret toil” amplify the horror by prompting the reader to actively imagine what Victor must have done. Much of the action takes place at nighttime, and in mysterious circumstances. The novel also hints that Victor’s strange behavior may be rooted in repression. While he claims to love Elizabeth, their relationship has incestuous tones since they grew up together as siblings. He also seems reluctant to marry her and is fixated instead on his friend Henry. His desire to create life outside of typical sexual reproduction might reflect some level of trauma or disgust with heterosexuality, or sexuality in general.]]> 2020-09-10 17:36:08 UTC https://padlet.com/15descoul/h41tfzuw6fqh7ti1/wish/736206857 15descoul https://padlet.com/15descoul/h41tfzuw6fqh7ti1/wish/736258019 Horace Walpole’s 1764 book The Castle of Otranto, was responsible for founding the Gothic novel genre. Walpole claimed the story was a genuine medieval manuscript which had recently been discovered and translated. The literary world flocked to buy this exciting new book. A year later, when the book was reprinted, Walpole added a preface in which he came clean and admitted that he’d made the whole thing up. In doing so, he founded not only a new literary genre but also one of the most perennial features of the Gothic story, the so-called ‘found’ manuscript. Many of the features of Gothic which endure today, such as the subterranean secret, the gloomy castle, and the mysterious ghostly sightings, were all used in Walpole’s novel. Walpole's novel set a precedent for future gothic texts.]]> 2020-09-10 17:45:06 UTC https://padlet.com/15descoul/h41tfzuw6fqh7ti1/wish/736258019 15descoul https://padlet.com/15descoul/h41tfzuw6fqh7ti1/wish/736386567  Mystery and Fear- One of the most vital components of a captivating gothic text  is that it evokes feelings of  suspense and fear. We see this in Ann Radcliffe’s 1794 novel, The mysteries of Udolpho. The story centers around Emily St. Aubert, an orphaned girl who was subjected to cruelties by guardians and imprisoned in castles. The work included strange, fearful events and a haunting atmosphere that came to define the genre in the years to come.
Anti-hero- Usually in a gothic text the protagonist tends to take the form of an anti-hero, a flawed protagonist with monstrous elements. Protagonists tend to hold a high social rank and strong physical presence. Their doom is foreshadowed, and they are burdened by sorrow or a horrific tragedy. Often, they’re easily influenced, driven much by passion. Classic examples include  Dorian Gray from The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde.
Villians- Much like that of various literary genres, villains play a pivotal role in Gothic literature. In traditional Gothic novels, villains took the form of autocratic, male characters, often in authoritative positions like that of priests or kings. They’re complex, and initially sympathetic as to fool the reader of their deceptive nature. Villains like Dracula and Mr. Hyde from Robert Louis Stevenson’s, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are examples of complex, villainous characters.]]> 2020-09-10 18:08:13 UTC https://padlet.com/15descoul/h41tfzuw6fqh7ti1/wish/736386567