Gothic Fiction

Gothic Fiction

1. Definition

   • combines horror, death and romance
   • includes a high amount of suspense and unpredictable levels of emotion
   • usually tense and builds up a tense or eerie scenery / atmosphere
   • sinister environment
   • can be occasional hints of romance

2. Types Of Things & Characters

   • usually include some kind of historical character
   • settings could include a dark mansion, castles and secret hallways
   • other characters could be zombies, ghosts, vampires, werewolves, etc
   • a thing that are also generally included are curses

3. Examples Of Gothic Fiction

   • "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley
   • "Dracula" by Bram Stoker
   • "Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" by Robert Louis Stevenson
   • "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Brontë
   • "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

4. The Origin Of Gothic Fiction

   • the first gothic novel was called "The Castle Of Otranto" by Horace Walpole. it was published in 1764 with the subtitle "a gothic story"
   • gothic fiction increased in popularity in the 19th century, the main reason being the publication of Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein".