An Exploration of Gothic Horror Stories Essay - 1832 Words

An Exploration of Gothic Horror Stories Gothic horror is a type of romantic, horror fiction based on irrational fear that predominated in 18th century England. The term gothic originated from the architectural style of the middle ages, but came to describe the dark, terrifying tales that achieved such popularity. Gothic horror can be determined by many things which exist in all gothic horror stories, for example eerie settings such as gothic monasteries, bleak comfortless castles, grave yards and cobwebbed rooms lit by guttering candles. It can also be determined by a unique character such as a beast, monster, ghost, evil creature and innocent person. Usually the innocent person is killed†¦show more content†¦All three stories were written in the 19th century. They were all set at the same time when they were written. This is a good effect because at the time when they were written, horror stories containing superstition and the macabre were popular because the people at that time believed in witchcraft, ghosts and demons. The location of the action is of great importance in the gothic novel because it creates an atmosphere and feeling to the story. The Judges House is located in the dining room of an old, quiet and isolated house. An old, rambling, heavy built house, this creates a scary atmosphere thus matching the typical setting of a gothic horror story. It goes on to describe the dining room as a, room in darkness, this also creates a scary and terrifying atmosphere because you cant see in the dark and you dont know whats in the dark, this also is an essential gothic horror element because darkness creates a creepy and scary atmosphere. The Tell Tale Heart is located in a house that is probably old as a lantern is used by the narrator, this creates a scary atmosphere like the Judges House because you cant see in the dark and you dont know what is in the darkness so the reader imagines things that create the scary atmosphere,Show MoreRelatedTwas a Dark and Stormy Night: The Gothic Style of the Arts Essay763 Words   |  4 Pages The Gothic style of the arts carries with it a specific charm and allure that breaks from the darkness, the repulsion of some of its more amoral subjects and twists then into mystifying shadows that swallow the shallow subconscious - consume it with the intrigue of mystery and suspense of constructed horror. Though visions of the true Gothic nature have fallen out of fashion in more recents years, with the rise of teen subgenres in writing and popcorn flicks to appease the masses in the theatresRead MoreThe American Gothic in The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe1539 Words   |  7 Pageseighteenth century brought about the beginning of a new genre of literature in America; the American Gothic. Already a popular genre in Europe, this new strain of literature in America arose to create a rather abrupt contrast to the Enlightenment foundations upon which American was born. Instead of concerning subjects of liberty and the pursuit of happiness; key elements of the American dream, American Gothic literature embodies and gives voice to the dark nightmare that is the underside of the AmericanRead MoreEvolution of Horror Essays1497 Words   |  6 Pages2013 The Evolution of Horror For centuries, stories of monsters, demons and other unholy abominations have brought fear to the hearts of audiences in commercially convenient doses. Noel Carroll, Ph.D., in his article â€Å"The Nature of Horror†, argues that the existence of monsters and supernatural entities alone do not define a horror novel or film â€Å"for monsters inhabit all sorts of stories, such as fairy tales, myths, and odysseys, that we are not wont to identify as horror† (Carroll). One can thereforeRead MoreThe Fall Of The House Of Usher1651 Words   |  7 PagesRomantic and Transcendentalist (and anti-Transcendentalist) traits. All of these authors are regarded as very important and influential Romantic writers. Their works are renowned all across the entire world. â€Å"The Fall of the House of Usher† is a Gothic short story written by Edgar Allen Poe, which focuses on exploring the psychology of the primary character, Roderick. Hawthorne’s â€Å"The Minister’s Black Veil† is a grim tale featuring a minister who begins wearing a black veil everywhere he goes - a metaphorRead MoreEssay for Gothic Genre817 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"How do your texts relate to the characteristics of the Gothic Genre?† The Gothic literature movement began in the late 19th century and was a derivative of the Romantic Movement. Writers of the Gothic Genre were focused on drawing on the emotions of the reader and creating an atmosphere of suspense, mystery, terror and dread. The writers also emphasized the supernatural, and how horror can be present in many everyday situations. Gothic texts also place emphasis on emotions such as agitationRead MoreHow Does the Use of Setting and Imagery Affect the Readers Understanding of Dr. Jekll and Mr Hide?1190 Words   |  5 Pagesstructure of the narrative. Furthermore, the setting of the story will be another focus which exploits the generic convention which reflects the social anxiety behind the story at the time. I will examine the generic convention of the narrative as urban gothic, in association with the setting of the story, which creates the atmosphere of mystery. I will then demonstrate the structure of the narrative as a crucial manipulation throughou t the story; in other words, the arrangement of the series of fictionalRead MoreThe Lord Of The Screw And Northanger Abbey1635 Words   |  7 Pagesinnocent heroine in gothic literature is, primarily, to follow her curiosity into the deepest, darkest corners of an appropriate gothic setting, uncover some awful secret contained therein, and do a lot of running around in her nightgown to be saved at the appropriate moment by a strong, capable suitor. In both Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen, and The Turn of the Screw by Henry James this trope is challenged, with both books presenting us with a slightly different version of the gothic heroine. NorthangerRead More Taking The Castle of Otranto as your example, outline the main conventions1454 Words   |  6 Pagesexample, outline the main conventions of the Gothic novel, and show how your knowledge of Taking The Castle of Otranto as your example, outline the main conventions of the Gothic novel, and show how your knowledge of these conventions affects your reading of Northanger Abbey. Is Northanger Abbey most accurately described as parody of the Gothic genre, or is there a more complicated relationship going on? Gothic novels purport to revive old stories and beliefs, exploring personal, psychicalRead MoreEdgar Allan Poe s The Raven, The Black Cat And The Tell Tale Heart ``1158 Words   |  5 Pageshis variety of texts. These texts include The Raven, The Black Cat and The Tell-Tale Heart, all Gothic texts by Poe which have contributed immensely to the Gothic genre. Readers categorise them as works of Gothic literature, but what attributes found in these texts causes it to be classified as Gothic? Poe explores numerous Gothic conventions in his poem, The Raven to signify its acceptance in the Gothic genre. â€Å"In there stepped a stately Raven of the saintly days of yore†, the Raven is a symbolicRead MoreDracula, By Bram Stoker1291 Words   |  6 Pages ​Bram Stoker, author of Dracula, not only creates the early depiction of vampire stories; but writes more to contradict the age old beliefs of women and their role in society. Dracula is more that just a vampire story. There is a deeper level to this. A level in which it can incite change in the way one percieves women. There is a noition that all women were to be the same but Dracula refutes that. Vampire sexuality, as represented in Bram Stoker s Dracula, reveals itself as both a phenomenon that