Gothic Novel

A Gothic novel is like a spooky roller coaster ride through dark castles, creepy landscapes, and mysterious secrets, perfect for a thrilling page-turner!

Introduction

The term ‘Gothic’ comes from the Goths, a Germanic tribe that invaded the Roman Empire. Traditionally, it has been used to describe things that are barbaric, rude, and unenlightened, which reflects medieval times. Moreover, ‘Gothic’ is often associated with qualities of gloom (dark and pessimistic), mystery, and the grotesque (unnaturally ugly).

In literature, Gothic can be defined as any writing that employs dark picturesque scenery, uses melodramatic narrative devices, and creates a feeling of mystery, fear, and dread. A Gothic novel or story often revolves around a large ancient house that conceals a terrible secret or that serves as the refuge of an especially frightening and threatening character. Although this gloomy theme is common, Gothic writers also include supernatural elements, romance, famous historical figures, and adventure stories to entertain readers.

Gothic literature emerged during the Romantic period in Britain as one of the earliest forms of Dark Romanticism. It is a literary genre (ZOHN-rah) that emerged as a part of a larger movement—Romanticism . The term “Gothic” was first used in literature as part of the subtitle for Horace Walpole’s 1765-novel, The Castle of Otranto: A Gothic Story. According to the British Library, Walpole used the term as a subtle (not very noticeable) joke, meaning both “barbarous” and “from the Middle Ages.” The book was presented as an ancient story that had recently been discovered, which was just a part of the tale. In the mid-1800s, American writer Edgar Allan Poe embraced this genre and excelled in it. Through Gothic literature, Poe explored themes of psychological trauma, human evil, and mental illness. Modern-day zombie stories, detective tales, and Stephen King’s novels all owe a debt to Poe. Although there were successful Gothic writers both before and after him, none perfected the genre like Poe.

Some of the most influential and popular 18th-century Gothic writers include Horace Walpole (The Castle of Otranto, 1765), Ann Radcliffe (Mysteries of Udolpho, 1794), Matthew Lewis (The Monk, 1796), and Charles Brockden Brown (Wieland, 1798). The genre remained popular during the 19th century, with Romantic authors like Sir Walter Scott (The Tapestried Chamber, 1829) and Victorian writers such as Robert Louis Stevenson (The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, 1886) and Bram Stoker (Dracula, 1897) using Gothic motifs in their works. Gothic elements are also found in several classic 19th-century novels, including Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1818), Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The House of the Seven Gables (1851), Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre (1847), Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1831), and many stories by Edgar Allan Poe (The Murders in the Rue Morgue, 1841; The Tell-Tale Heart, 1843).

Elements (Features) of Gothic Novel

1. Grotesque and Haunted Setting 

The story takes place in or around an old castle or mansion, or the ruins of one. Sometimes the building seems abandoned, sometimes it is occupied, and sometimes it’s unclear if anyone is there, human or otherwise. These castles often have secret passages, trap doors, hidden rooms, trick panels with secret levers, dark or hidden staircases, and possibly ruined sections. The dark and mysterious setting aims to create a feeling of unease and fear, adding to the overall scary atmosphere. The darkness also allows for sudden, frightening appearances of people, animals, ghosts, apparent (seeming) ghosts, or monsters.

2. An Atmosphere of Mystery and Suspense

Gothic novels often create an atmosphere of mystery and suspense, enhanced by the unknown. For example, in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein is filled with suspense and dread when he sees fleeting glimpses of his monstrous creation in the shadows, unsure if it’s really there or just his imagination. Similarly, in Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre, the mysterious noises and strange laughter that Jane hears in Thornfield Hall contribute to the atmosphere of fear and suspense, leaving her to wonder if they are made by a person or just the creaks and groans of the old mansion.

In Dracula by Bram Stoker, Jonathan Harker is immersed in mystery and suspense when he first arrives at Count Dracula’s castle. He sees strange figures and hears unsettling noises, unsure if they are real or just tricks of the mind. The plot’s central mystery revolves around Dracula’s true nature and his dark intentions.

3. The Intrusion of Past over Present 

The intrusion (to intervene) of the past over the present is a common element in Gothic novels. This theme involves the past haunting or influencing the present, often through secrets, memories, or unresolved issues that resurface and impact the characters’ lives. In Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, the past continuously intervenes on the present through the memories and unresolved emotions of the characters. Heathcliff’s obsession with his past love, Catherine, drives the plot and influences the lives of the next generation. Similarly, in Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, Mr. Rochester’s hidden past with his wife, Bertha Mason, intervenes into his relationship with Jane Eyre. The revelation (uncovering) of this secret dramatically alters the course of the story, highlighting the impact of the past on the present.

4. Supernatural Elements 

Supernatural elements are a distinctive feature of Gothic novels. They add a sense of mystery, suspense, and fear to the narrative. These elements often involve ghosts, monsters, unexplained phenomena, and otherworldly occurrences that defy rational explanation.

For instance, The Castle of Otranto begins with the sudden and unexplained death of Conrad, the son of Lord Manfred. On the day of his wedding, Conrad is crushed to death by a giant helmet that mysteriously appears in the castle courtyard. This helmet is an exact replica of the one worn by the statue of Alfonso the Good, a former prince of Otranto. Its supernatural appearance is unexplained and serves as an ominous (evil) sign of the events to come. Throughout the novel, characters encounter ghostly apparitions (appearance) and animated statues. For instance, a portrait of Manfred’s grandfather descends from its frame and walks out of the picture that further heightens the sense of supernatural dread.

Similarly, in Wuthering Heights, the ghost of Catherine Earnshaw is said to haunt the moors and Wuthering Heights itself. Her spectral (ghostly) presence, felt by Heathcliff and others, adds to the novel’s dark and fearful atmosphere.

5. High, even Overwrought Emotion 

High, even overwrought emotion is a prominent element in Gothic novels. Characters in these novels often experience heightened emotional states such as anger, sorrow, surprise, fear, and especially terror. Gothic literature uses these intense emotions in several key ways:

Firstly, to intensify the atmosphere of suspense and fear. Victor Frankenstein’s extreme reactions to the consequences of his scientific experiments amplify the sense of unease and foreboding. Reflecting on his creation, Victor exclaims, ‘I had desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart.’ This quote illustrates Victor’s intense emotional turmoil and the horror he feels upon realizing the implications of his creation.

Secondly, heightened emotions delve into the psychological turmoil of characters, revealing their inner conflicts, moral dilemmas, and existential crises. For example, in Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights, the passionate and tumultuous relationship between Catherine and Heathcliff is characterized by intense emotional extremes, including jealousy, obsession, and despair. Catherine expresses her deep emotional turmoil in the following quote: ‘Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same; and Linton’s is as different as a moonbeam from lightning, or frost from fire.’ This quote illustrates Catherine’s intense connection with Heathcliff and highlights the overwhelming emotions.

6. Damsel in Distress

The female characters of Gothic novels often face perilous situations that highlight both their vulnerability and resilience within male-dominated societies, oppressive environments, or supernatural settings. These women confront physical, emotional, or psychological threats such as imprisonment, confinement, or victimization, which underscore power dynamics and societal constraints.

For instance, characters like Bertha Mason in Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre or Clarice in Ann Radcliffe’s The Mysteries of Udolpho are forcibly imprisoned or confined, emphasizing their distressing circumstances. Similarly, Lucy Westenra in Dracula is victimized by supernatural forces.

Despite these challenges, Gothic heroines such as Jane Eyre exhibit resilience and agency. They challenge societal norms and strive for autonomy in the face of romantic and moral complexities. This theme not only intensifies suspense and evokes empathy but also delves into deeper themes of power, gender roles, and the struggle for independence in Gothic literature.

7. Transgression of Taboos

Transgression of taboos is a major ingredient in the chilling brew of Gothic literature. Gothic writers deliberately push boundaries to explore the dark corners of human psychology and society’s unspoken fears. This exploration can include themes such as incest, rape, perversion, crime, insanity, and death. For instance, in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein’s creation of life from dead tissue defies natural laws and results in horror and chaos. Bram Stoker’s Dracula explores themes of perversion and sexual transgression through the predatory actions of Count Dracula.

8. Convoluted and discontinuous narratives

Convoluted and discontinuous narratives are a deliberate feature of many Gothic novels and stories. By jumping between timelines, characters, or locations, the author can withhold information and keep the reader guessing. This fractured narrative creates a sense of mystery and suspense, leaving the reader to piece things together and eager to learn more. For instance, in Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights, the story is told through multiple narrators and shifts in time, which gradually reveal the complex relationships and dark secrets of the characters. Similarly, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein employs a frame narrative structure, with the story being recounted through letters and multiple perspectives, which adds layers of mystery and tension.