Gothic Literature: Origins, Themes, and Influence
Gothic Literature
Origins of the Term “Gothic”
The term “Gothic” emerged in the 17th century as a derogatory term, meaning barbarous and uncouth, in relation to the Goths (Germans). It was associated with being wild and destructive of classical civilization.
Evolution of the Term:
- Initially applied to the pointed arch in ecclesiastical architecture.
- Expanded to encompass any non-classical style, and eventually, almost anything medieval.
- In the early 18th century, “Gothic” signified irrationality and backwardness.
- From the mid to late 18th century, as a reaction against classicism, it acquired a slightly more positive connotation, coinciding with a growing fascination for Gothic architecture and ruins.
Characteristics of Gothic Architecture:
- Vastness
- Obscurity
- Power
- Terror
Neo-Classicism
In contrast to the Gothic, Neo-classicism emphasized:
- Heroic or mythological themes
- Order, harmony, and timeless beauty
- Masculine vigor and feminine grace
- Clarity of line
- Sombre colors
Gothic Literature
18th-Century Classical Rules in Literature:
- Harmony
- Instruction, not mere entertainment
- Sense of morality
- Rational understanding
- Idea of cultivation and civilized behavior
Characteristics of Gothic Fiction:
Gothic fiction is characterized by elements of fear, the supernatural, and darkness. It features characters such as vampires, demons, heroes, and villains. It is considered the forerunner of the modern horror genre, although the Gothic style continues to have many practitioners.
Originating in the late 18th century, Gothic fiction was a branch of the larger Romantic movement that aimed to evoke strong emotions in the reader, particularly fear and apprehension. The name “Gothic” comes from medieval architecture, as the genre often draws inspiration from the medieval era in spirit and subject matter, sometimes using Gothic buildings as settings.
Common Subject Matter:
Gothic fiction emphasizes atmosphere, using setting and diction to build suspense and unease. Common themes include:
- The supernatural
- Family curses
- Mystery and madness
- Romantic plots or subplots (especially in later Victorian and 20th-century works)
While the novel is often considered the primary form of Gothic fiction, poetry and short stories can also be classified as Gothic, such as the works of the Graveyard Poets of late 18th-century England and the short stories of Edgar Allan Poe.
Historical Context:
Gothic fiction often deals with past eras, sometimes romanticizing them and other times using them as symbols of darkness and oppression. Early Gothic novels, often characterized as romances, drew inspiration from the medieval period. These novels were frequently anti-Catholic and used medieval settings to critique perceived abuses of Catholic power.
Conversely, early Gothic fiction also romanticized the medieval period by adopting its literary style and returning to more emotional and fantastical subject matter, contrasting with the rationalism and order that dominated Enlightenment thought.
Rise and Decline of Gothic Fiction:
- Explosion of Gothic fiction in the 1790s, following the French Revolution.
- 30-40 Gothic titles published annually from 1800 to the 1820s.
- Decline in popularity in the mid-19th century.
Reasons for the Emergence of Gothic Fiction:
- Reaction against the Augustans’ exclusion of certain experiences and feelings in favor of reason.
- Social and cultural changes leading to anxiety and fear due to severed bonds between individuals and the social world.
- Exploration of the sinister side of the Romantic doctrine of divine passions.
Gothic Features:
Setting and Mood:
- Medieval buildings, secret corridors, dungeons, underground passages, tombs, and graveyards.
- Mysterious crimes (often of an illicit or incestuous nature).
- Fears of murder, rape, sin, and the unknown.
- Supernatural manifestations.
- Villains with diabolical powers.
- Persecuted maidens and fatal women.
- Decaying, ruined scenery.
- Gloomy nature and storms.
- Exploration of extreme states.
Criticism of Gothic Fiction:
- Viewed as dangerous (but read secretly).
- Objected to on moral, aesthetic, and religious grounds.
- Seen as politically and socially subversive, associated with radicalism, revolution, and secret societies.
- Gradual decline of the Gothic cult in the 1820s with the rise of a new sense of “modern” and “rational” reflected in realistic and historical fiction.
- Continued reader interest despite the decline, evidenced by the success of Frankenstein, the popularity of Blackwood Magazine’s tales of terror and bizarre stories, and the rise of “penny dreadfuls.”
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Missing Elements:
- Family (Utterson and Enfield are the closest representation)
- Wives and mothers
- Young people
- Consumerism and mass entertainment
- Empire
- The countryside
- Love
Themes:
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde reflects the anxieties of the Victorian era, a time of unprecedented technological progress and imperial expansion, but also growing pessimism and a sense of cultural decline.
Duality of Human Nature: The novel explores the idea of a single body containing both the erudite Dr. Jekyll and the depraved Mr. Hyde, suggesting an inextricable link between civilization and savagery, good and evil.
The Importance of Reputation: Utterson, representing the Victorian gentleman, strives to preserve Jekyll’s reputation and maintain the appearance of order, even as he suspects a hidden truth.
Character Analysis:
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: Stevenson uses the stark contrast between Jekyll and Hyde to illustrate the duality of human nature. Each character represents opposite forces within a single individual, with Hyde embodying the darker, instinctual side.
Utterson: Utterson embodies the ideal Victorian gentleman, prioritizing order, decorum, and the preservation of reputation.
Fantomina
Context:
Early 18th Century:
- Regulatory spirit in law and society, a shift away from Restoration excess.
- Rise of the (Protestant) middle class and redefinition of social categories.
- Stricter gender roles and separation of family and state spheres.
- More limited female roles, emphasizing private femininity (leading to the 19th-century “angel of the house” ideal).
Female Authorship:
- Associated with inappropriate public display, sexual transgression, and the production of inferior texts.
Themes:
Freedom:
- Personal: Permission to hide one’s identity, escape from stereotypes and societal functions, license to act unconventionally, and experience life in a new reality.
- Social: “Carnivals behind closed doors” offering opportunities for interaction between different social classes, exploration of gender, sexuality, and role-reversal through the use of masks, creating an erotic atmosphere and challenging social norms.
Masquerades:
- Travel accounts sparked interest in foreign dress and culture, including oriental masquerade costumes.
- Seen as a threat to English morals, leading to an anti-masquerade movement.
Eliza Haywood’s Perspective:
Haywood’s Fantomina challenges the typical “persecuted maiden” narrative of the early 18th century. The heroine, Fantomina, uses disguise, wit, and sexual freedom to explore her desires and challenge societal expectations.
Haywood’s work suggests that women are intellectually equal to men and can control sexual relationships for personal pleasure. Fantomina represents a rebellion against the cultural norms of the time, which supported male dominance and control over women’s lives.
Haywood’s radical ideas and writings were shocking and controversial in the 18th-century context. She was a visionary whose work helped redefine the portrayal of women in literature.