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5 Oct 2022
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The Ultimate Summary of Gothic Literature: Conventions, Characters & Phases
Jess Morris
@jessicamorrisx
Gothic Characters and Settings
This page delves into the distinctive characters and settings that define Gothic literature, highlighting their exaggerated nature and symbolic significance.
Gothic Characters
Gothic characters are often exaggerated archetypes that reflect the hopes and fears of their time period.
Example: Common character types in Gothic literature include damsels in distress, heroes, and villains.
Supernatural characters play a crucial role in Gothic narratives, with vampires, ghosts, zombies, and other mythical creatures often driving the plot.
Gothic Settings
Settings in Gothic literature are carefully chosen to create an atmosphere of mystery and unease.
Highlight: Gothic settings often feature ancient, decaying structures such as castles and monasteries, which may have religious connotations.
Mazes and labyrinthine spaces are frequently used to evoke feelings of being lost, isolated, or trapped. Darkness and pathetic fallacy are consistently employed to enhance the atmospheric tension.
Definition: Pathetic fallacy is a literary device where the natural world reflects or echoes the emotions of the characters or the tone of the story.
Clashing Time Periods
Gothic narratives often take place at moments of transition between different eras, such as the medieval and Renaissance periods. This technique creates a sense of disorientation and highlights the conflict between modernity and antiquity.
Quote: "There is a strong opposition in the gothic between the modern and the ancient as everything characters think they've left safely behind come back to haunt them."
Power and Constraint
Gothic literature frequently explores themes of power dynamics and constraint, both physical and psychological. The genre is "obsessed with constraint, entrapment, and forced actions."
Example: The vulnerable woman set against the male villain is a common trope in Gothic literature, highlighting sexual difference and power imbalances.
Gothic fiction also has the freedom to explore erotic themes, including same-sex desire, perversion, obsession, voyeurism, and sexual violence, often pushing boundaries close to pornography.
Horror vs. Terror
Ann Radcliffe's distinction between horror and terror is crucial in understanding the psychological impact of Gothic literature:
- Horror: Physical reaction, freezes the person, debilitating but can be escaped, often gory and disgusting.
- Terror: Psychological, provokes a response, productive, cannot be escaped, can be explained rationally, involves mental torment.
Highlight: The element of doubt, particularly about supernatural occurrences and the limits of human knowledge, is a central feature of Gothic literature.
The Phases of the Gothic
The Gothic genre evolved through several distinct phases, each reflecting the societal and cultural shifts of its time. This page outlines the key characteristics of the Enlightenment, Romantic, and Victorian periods in relation to Gothic literature.
Definition: Gothic literature is a genre that combines elements of horror, romance, and mystery, often set in dark, atmospheric locations and featuring supernatural occurrences.
Enlightenment (1650s-1780s)
During the Enlightenment, society valued factual knowledge, evidence, and rationalism. This period saw a shift from religious explanations to scientific understanding, particularly in fields like anatomy.
Highlight: The appeal of Enlightenment ideals waned during the French Revolution as society became disillusioned with purely rational approaches.
Romanticism (1798-1870)
The Romantic period, inspired by the French Revolution, questioned the individual's place in the world. It coincided with the Industrial Revolution and glorified nature.
Vocabulary: Romanticism prioritized imagination over reason, contrasting with the rationalism of the Enlightenment.
Victorian Period (1837-1901)
Victorian literature used realism to address societal concerns and comment on morality. It often held up a mirror to life, reflecting the complexities of the era.
Example: Victorian Gothic literature explored themes of social inequality, industrialization, and moral decay, as seen in works like "Dracula" by Bram Stoker.
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The Ultimate Summary of Gothic Literature: Conventions, Characters & Phases
Jess Morris
@jessicamorrisx
Gothic literature emerged as a powerful genre, blending elements of horror, romance, and mystery. This summary explores the key phases, characteristics, and themes of Gothic literature, providing insights into its evolution and enduring appeal.
- Gothic literature developed through distinct phases:... Show more
Gothic Characters and Settings
This page delves into the distinctive characters and settings that define Gothic literature, highlighting their exaggerated nature and symbolic significance.
Gothic Characters
Gothic characters are often exaggerated archetypes that reflect the hopes and fears of their time period.
Example: Common character types in Gothic literature include damsels in distress, heroes, and villains.
Supernatural characters play a crucial role in Gothic narratives, with vampires, ghosts, zombies, and other mythical creatures often driving the plot.
Gothic Settings
Settings in Gothic literature are carefully chosen to create an atmosphere of mystery and unease.
Highlight: Gothic settings often feature ancient, decaying structures such as castles and monasteries, which may have religious connotations.
Mazes and labyrinthine spaces are frequently used to evoke feelings of being lost, isolated, or trapped. Darkness and pathetic fallacy are consistently employed to enhance the atmospheric tension.
Definition: Pathetic fallacy is a literary device where the natural world reflects or echoes the emotions of the characters or the tone of the story.
Clashing Time Periods
Gothic narratives often take place at moments of transition between different eras, such as the medieval and Renaissance periods. This technique creates a sense of disorientation and highlights the conflict between modernity and antiquity.
Quote: "There is a strong opposition in the gothic between the modern and the ancient as everything characters think they've left safely behind come back to haunt them."
Power and Constraint
Gothic literature frequently explores themes of power dynamics and constraint, both physical and psychological. The genre is "obsessed with constraint, entrapment, and forced actions."
Example: The vulnerable woman set against the male villain is a common trope in Gothic literature, highlighting sexual difference and power imbalances.
Gothic fiction also has the freedom to explore erotic themes, including same-sex desire, perversion, obsession, voyeurism, and sexual violence, often pushing boundaries close to pornography.
Horror vs. Terror
Ann Radcliffe's distinction between horror and terror is crucial in understanding the psychological impact of Gothic literature:
- Horror: Physical reaction, freezes the person, debilitating but can be escaped, often gory and disgusting.
- Terror: Psychological, provokes a response, productive, cannot be escaped, can be explained rationally, involves mental torment.
Highlight: The element of doubt, particularly about supernatural occurrences and the limits of human knowledge, is a central feature of Gothic literature.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
The Phases of the Gothic
The Gothic genre evolved through several distinct phases, each reflecting the societal and cultural shifts of its time. This page outlines the key characteristics of the Enlightenment, Romantic, and Victorian periods in relation to Gothic literature.
Definition: Gothic literature is a genre that combines elements of horror, romance, and mystery, often set in dark, atmospheric locations and featuring supernatural occurrences.
Enlightenment (1650s-1780s)
During the Enlightenment, society valued factual knowledge, evidence, and rationalism. This period saw a shift from religious explanations to scientific understanding, particularly in fields like anatomy.
Highlight: The appeal of Enlightenment ideals waned during the French Revolution as society became disillusioned with purely rational approaches.
Romanticism (1798-1870)
The Romantic period, inspired by the French Revolution, questioned the individual's place in the world. It coincided with the Industrial Revolution and glorified nature.
Vocabulary: Romanticism prioritized imagination over reason, contrasting with the rationalism of the Enlightenment.
Victorian Period (1837-1901)
Victorian literature used realism to address societal concerns and comment on morality. It often held up a mirror to life, reflecting the complexities of the era.
Example: Victorian Gothic literature explored themes of social inequality, industrialization, and moral decay, as seen in works like "Dracula" by Bram Stoker.
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user