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Gothic Novels are fictions which deal with cruel passions and supernatural terrors
in some medieval setting, such as a medieval setting or monasteryIn their depiction
of wild feelings they are both precursors and part of the literary movement called
Romanticism.works with a similarly obsessive, gloomy, violent and spine-chillingatmosphere, but not necessarily with a medieval setting, are also called
gothicindeed any work concentrating on the bizarre or aberrant psychological
states may be called Gothic.
A Dictionary of Literary Terms 2nd Ed. (1994)
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Definition of Gothic
Originally:
Came to be usedto mean:
Nowadays:
refers to a Germanic
tribe
medieval
refers to the art and
architecture of theMiddle Ages, inparticular, the pointedarch typical of
medieval architecture
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The Birth of The Gothic Part of the Romantic
Movement
Spanned the era ofchange: the Industrial
Revolution (1780-1830)& the French Revolution(1789-93)
A reaction against of the
Enlightenment(emphasises reason &logic, science &empiricism)
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Francisco Goya
(1746-1828)
The Sleep of Reason
Produces Monsters
(1799)
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Reception
In the past At present
Viewed as popular,
low culture,
sensationalist,
melodramatic,
monstrous &
unedifying
Poorly received by
literary critics
Enjoyed academic
renaissance due to new
readings:
Reflections of a distinct
social psyche (illustrating
deep-seated concerns andanxieties associated with a
specific political and
historical moment)
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Gothic novels
Deals with
what is
unnatural
behaviour circumstances
Written
mainly to
evoke terror in
their readers
show thedark side
of human
nature
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Roxas
Ref to Kingdom Hearts
Characteristics
The figure of theOther
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Word Definitions
Medieval: of or imitating the Middle Ages(1000-1500)
Bizarre: strikingly odd in appearance or effect
Macabre: grim, gruesome, grisly, horrible,disgusting, inducing fear
Aberrant psychological state: unusual or
abnormal behaviour Grotesque: deliberate distortions and ugliness
intended to shock, satirise or amuse
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Themes
The transgression of natural & moral laws, aesthetic
rules & social taboos
Explorations of deep, dark human fears and desires
& bizarre, aberrant psychological states
A challenge to the normative & repressive mores
(prohibition and taboos) of society
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The Nightmare (1781) by Henry Fuseli (1741-1825)
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The Purpose of the Gothic
To evoke terror in readers
To show the dark side in human
nature
To try to attain the Sublime
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The Sublime
May be caused by:
Immensity or infinity
Magnitude, grandeur,elegance
Obscurity/ indefinite/unknown
May produce:
pain, fear or terror,insignificance,vulnerability
admiration, reverence,or respect
Awe, wonder, totalastonishment
Burke describes it as being the cause of thestrongest emotions which the individual is
capable of feeling.
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No passion so effectually
robs the mind of all itspowers of acting and
reason as fear.
Edmund Burke (1729-97), Irish
philosopher, author ofThe Origin of our
Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful
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Modern Films
Re-evaluation of the Gothic Impact on the development of
modern identity Do we all
have a Gothic side?
Mans incessant exploration of
the Gothic Perversion or
Fascination?
Horrifying & unbearable a
recognition and embrace of the
monster as (the denied aspect)
of who we are