8/3/2019 Homebased Learning (Gothicism)

1/15

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)

8/3/2019 Homebased Learning (Gothicism)

2/15

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

8/3/2019 Homebased Learning (Gothicism)

3/15

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)

8/3/2019 Homebased Learning (Gothicism)

4/15

Francisco Goya

(1746-1828)

The Sleep of Reason

Produces Monsters

(1799)

8/3/2019 Homebased Learning (Gothicism)

5/15

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)

8/3/2019 Homebased Learning (Gothicism)

6/15

Gothic novels

Deals with

what is

unnatural

behaviour circumstances

Written

mainly to

evoke terror in

their readers

show thedark side

of human

nature

8/3/2019 Homebased Learning (Gothicism)

7/15

Roxas

Ref to Kingdom Hearts

Characteristics

The figure of theOther

8/3/2019 Homebased Learning (Gothicism)

8/15

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

8/3/2019 Homebased Learning (Gothicism)

9/15

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

8/3/2019 Homebased Learning (Gothicism)

10/15

8/3/2019 Homebased Learning (Gothicism)

11/15

The Nightmare (1781) by Henry Fuseli (1741-1825)

8/3/2019 Homebased Learning (Gothicism)

12/15

The Purpose of the Gothic

To evoke terror in readers

To show the dark side in human

nature

To try to attain the Sublime

8/3/2019 Homebased Learning (Gothicism)

13/15

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.

8/3/2019 Homebased Learning (Gothicism)

14/15

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

8/3/2019 Homebased Learning (Gothicism)

15/15

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