ELEMENTS OF GOTHIC
LITERATURE
The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
WHAT IS GOTHIC LITERATURE?
Gothic literature began in England in
the late 1700s and early 1800s.
It soon spread to other parts of the
world, especially the United States,
where it influenced writers like Edgar
Allan Poe (pictured on the right).
It is often grouped with Romantic
literature, although it explores darker
and more tragic themes than other
Romantic works of the period.
WHY THE TERM “GOTHIC”?
The term “gothic” is named for the Goths–
one of the many Germanic tribes that
fought numerous battles with the Roman
Empire for centuries. The Goths height of
power was around the 5 th century A.D.
Centuries passed before the term would be
used again– this time to describe
architecture that was built during the
Middle Ages (long after the Goths were
gone) because it was considered barbaric
and ugly.
The term “gothic” was applied to literature
(years after the Middle Ages) when these
“ugly” castles became the primary settings
for many gothic novels.
ELEMENTS OF GOTHIC
LITERATURE
There are a number of specific qualities that distinguish gothic
literature from other genres or types of literature.
The following is a summary of what I consider the 10 most
relevant elements to what we are learning; however, there are
dozens of others that could also be considered.
Flip the page for more…
#1:
SETTING
Gothic literature often is set in old,
rundown structures, especially: castles,
great country manors (estates), other
large neglected homes (like mansions).
These buildings generally include
hidden passages, trap doors, dungeons,
or secret rooms.
The building is also usually found in a
state of disrepair, which means that it
is rundown, falling apart, or has been
neglected or abandoned for a long
time.
#2:
ENVIRONMENT (SETTING PART 2)
The environment around the setting
reflects a bleak or foreboding
atmosphere. The environment could
also be considered part of the
setting.
Generally there are dark forests, large
imposing mountains, stormy weather,
or areas far away from civilization
(areas that are isolated from the rest
of the world).
#3:
ATMOSPHERE (SETTING PART 3)
Gothic literature stresses an
atmosphere of mystery, horror, and
dread. This could also be considered
as part of the setting.
This atmosphere is usually enhanced
by the “unknown”. Often the plot
itself is built around a mystery, such as
unknown parentage, a disappearance,
or some other inexplicable (unable to
explain) event.
The following elements contribute to
this atmospehere.
#4:
AN ANCIENT PROPHECY
What’s an ancient prophecy?
This usually refers to a very old (ancient)
foretelling or prediction (prophecy) of
something happening.
In Gothic literature, ancient prophecies are
usually connected with the old castle,
mansion, or estate; or, connected to its
present or former inhabitants.
Sometimes in modern gothic tales, this part
may be simplified by simply referring to a
“spirit who wanders…”, but has no direct
link to anyone or anything.
Prophecies are very common in many
works of literature and in movies too!
In the “Harry Potter” series, Harry’s
parents hide him among humans as a child
because of a prophecy that said Harry
would grow up to defeat Lord Voldemort.
#5:
OMENS, PORTENTS, VISIONS
Omens, portents, and visions are similar to ancient prophecies because they
are believed to tell of something that is an upcoming event.
They foreshadow a coming event.
A vision is usually seen in a dream. It usually occurs when something
supernatural happens while someone is dreaming. It tells the dreamer about
something that is going to happen or reveals something to the dreamer about
something important.
Examples of These Words In Sentences
A red sky in the morning can be a portent of a coming storm.
They regarded the win as a good omen for the team.
It came to him in his sleep– a vision that foretold of something awful.
#6:
SUPERNATURAL OR OTHERWISE
INEXPLICABLE EVENTS
Dramatic and amazing events can
occur in gothic literature.
For instance… ghosts walking,
inanimate (nonliving) objects move
on their own (like a painting coming
to life).
In some gothic literature the events,
in the end, are given a more natural
explanation, but sometimes the
events remain truly supernatural.
Here Scrooge is visited by a ghost of his
former business partner, Jacob Marley, in A
Christmas Carol.
#7:
THE ISOLATION OF THE
PROTAGONIST
The main characters of the Gothic
literature are often isolated or alone.
It could be physical isolation. For
instance, the main character could be
trapped in a house far away from
other people.
It could also be emotional isolation.
For instance, the main character
could be emotionally cut off from
the people around her.
The main character in Daphne
DuMaurier’s Rebecca was cut off
from the rest of the world with only
an evil housekeeper for company.
RUMPLESTILTSKIN
In the classic fairy tale of
Rumplestiltskin, the miller’s daughter is
locked away in a room to spin straw
into gold, where she stays in
isolation.
#8:
DRAMA
The events in Gothic literature
usually show high emotion and often
reflect a heightened sense of drama.
For example, in Gothic literature it is
not unusual to see murders,
kidnappings, people going mad
(crazy), and tragic illness.
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is full of
drama and a lot of emotion.
#9:
VOCABULARY
Words that give a sense of:
Mystery
There are certain words that lend
themselves well to gothic literature.
Terror or Fear
Sadness or Sorrow
Surprise
On the right are a list of different
adjectives, feelings, or other words
that are generally associated with
gothic literature.
Haste (quick actions like running, and
feelings like anxiety or impatience)
Anger
Darkness
Vastness and Emptiness
Isolation
#10:
METONYMY OF GLOOM AND HORROR
A metonymy is a type of metaphor.
Remember a metaphor is a
comparison between two things that
does not use the words like or as.
A metonymy is a type of metaphor
in which something is used to stand
for something else. For instance, a
lot of times in movies we will see it
raining at a funeral. Therefore the
rain stands for something sad.
•
•
•
•
METONYMIES FOR
“gloom and doom”
Wind, especially howling wind
Doors grating on rusty hinges
• Footsteps approaching
Lights in abandoned rooms
Characters trapped in a room
• Ruins of a building
• Thunder and lightning
• Rain, especially blowing
MORE METONYMIES FOR
“GLOOM AND DOOM”
• Signs, moans, howls, eerie sounds
• Clanking chains
• Gusts of wind blowing out lights
• Doors suddenly slamming shut
• Baying of distant dogs (or wolves)
• Crazed laughter
Can you think of any others?
RESOURCES
Pictures and Information
www.predestinarian.net
www.gaiaonline.com
www.nytimes.com
harrypotter.wikia.com
www.reverseshot.com
richeyrich.wordpress.com