That said, I realized that I have a blog which I can write whatever the hell I want and nobody can be annoyed by it, and I won't even look (too) much like an anti-social nerd.
I would like to do a series where I can discuss genres, authors, and major literary works that have had an impact on me in some way. As usual, I will generally begin with one idea, but by the end of the post it will take a much broader direction. Here goes my first:
Edgar Allan Poe- I can't even begin to sing my praises to this man as a writer. His talent was beyond belief, and no other writer could never come close to what he has done for Gothic revival. I would like to identify Poe as the one who can perhaps have the best success converting people to the genre.
Suspense, darkness, winding staircases, diseases of the mind, small spaces...gothic literature has such a strict formula, that compared to other genres, has stayed remarkably intact. I think it is the balance of horror and romance. Gothic literature focuses on emotions we can all identify with, and hooks us with this sense of relatability. Once we become invested, that is where the author can have fun with the setting, theme, and motifs. There is less of a focus on the character, and more of a focus on the atmosphere, and the realization that darkness does exist, not only within our society, but within ourselves. Gothic depictions of churches were perhaps the first real creative criticms of the horror of Catholicism, and there was an emergence of the key characters of monks, nuns, and the devil himself. Writers capitalized on our fears of the unknown, and the spiritual nature of the post Enlightenment era. People were tired of rationalization and logic, and just wanted to hear stories that would get their hearts racing, if only a little. Most popular of the Gothic authors was arguably Poe; however, I would also like to make mention of the female Gothic with my personal favourites being Ann Radcliffe and Emily Bronte, who had a focus on women losing what little sensibilities they had, which was of course a social fear held by both men and women
In more modern times, we can see elements of the Gothic genre quite easily. Horror films are one of the most safe bets for a filmmaker to guarantee a core audience, and we still see the same use of pathetic fallacy, the supernatural, and even the unmistakable architecture with pointed towers, thin windows, and dark, grey exteriors. I think gothic fiction today has a slight element of cheesiness to it, perhaps because the genre is unwilling to bend.
Horror films today are remarkably similar to horror films made over 50 years ago, if we really analyze them in terms of the elements of fiction (with the exception of the post-modern and torture porn horror genres). Horror plots are still centred around the intrusion of an evil, unexplainable force, commonly of the supernatural origin. Gothic themes or elements often prevalent in typical horror films include ghosts, mental torture, ancient curses, satanism, and haunted houses.
When I look back at the texts that have left a strong visual impact on me, they all have elements of the gothic genre. From favourite novels like Mary Shelley'sFrankenstein or Bram Stoker's Dracula, to 90's movies like The Crow and The Craft, I have a seamless connection between gothic fiction and horror.
The Gothic genre is truly love or hate. Perhaps you will see its relevance and purpose, or perhaps you will think it is simply a result of an over-active imagination. Regardless, I think it is important that we inform ourselves about the art and culture that surrounds us.
If you have interest in the genre, or would like to get into it, here are a couple of starting points:
Selected Short Stories by Edgar Allan Poe
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Dracula by Bram Stoker
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole
The Monk by Matthew Lewis
Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe
