Gothic Novel: Definition, Characteristics, History, Essay, Examples in Literature
Gothic Novel Definition
Gothic Novel is a “genre of fiction characterized by mystery and supernatural horror, often set in a dark castle or other medieval setting.” Such novel is pseudo-medieval fiction with a prevailing atmosphere of mystery and terror. Gothic novel is sometimes referred to as Gothic horror. It is a genre or mode of literature that combines elements of both horror and romance.
Gothicism‘s origin is attributed to English author Horace Walpole, with his 1764 novel The Castle of Otranto, subtitled “A Gothic Story“. The Gothic novel was a branch of the larger Romantic movement that sought to stimulate strong emotions in the reader — fear and apprehension in this case.’ Such novel takes its name from medieval architecture, as it often hearkens back to the medieval era in spirit and subject matter and often uses Gothic buildings as a setting. The effect of Gothic fiction feeds on a pleasing sort of terror. It is an extension of Romantic literary pleasures that were relatively new at the time of Walpole’s novel. Melodrama and parody (including self-parody) are other long-standing features of the Gothic initiated by Walpole.
Historical Background of Gothic
The Goths were one of the many Germanic tribes. They fought numerous battles with the Roman Empire for centuries. According to their own myths, as narrated by Jordanes, a Gothic historian from the mid 6th century, the Goths originated in what is now southern Sweden, but their king Berig led them to the southern shore of the Baltic Sea. Later Goths separated into twongroups, the Visigoths (the West Goths) and Ostrogoths (the East Goths). They were named so because of the place where they finally settled.
They reached the height of their utmost power around 5th century A.D., when they sacked Rome and captured Spain, but their history finally subsumed under that of the countries they conquered (“Goths”). During the Renaissance, Europeans rediscovered Greco-Roman culture. They began to regard a particular type of architecture, mainly those built during the middle Ages, as “gothic.” It was not because of any connection to the Goths, but because the ‘Uomo Universale’ considered these buildings “barbaric” and definitely not in that Classical style. Centuries more passed before “gothic” came to describe a certain type of novels. This was named so because all these novels seem to take place in Gothic-styled architecture which was mainly castles, mansions, and abbeys.
Gothic Novel Characteristics
Setting in a castle or Mansions
An atmosphere of mystery and suspense pervaded by threatening feeling
An ancient and obscure prophecy may be connected with the castle or its inhabitants (either former or present).
Character may have Omens, portents, visions.
Supernatural or otherwise inexplicable and dramatic events may occur.
Characters may have high, even overwrought emotion resulting in crying and emotional speeches. Originally Published https://www.eng-literature.com/2021/05/gothic-novel-definition-characteristics-history-essay-examples-in-literature.html
