AP+2014+Classic+Gothic+Writing+Genre



Historical: Maddy

The Gothic romanticism style of writing originally sparked in England back in the late 1700’s. The writing style is predominantly known as a way of telling a story using both horror and romance. “ Prominent features of Gothic fiction include terror (both psychological and physical), mystery, the supernatural, ghosts, haunted houses, and Gothic architecture, castles, darkness, death, decay, doubles, madness, secrets, and hereditary curses" (Princeton). The movement became so popular because it addressed real issues that were taboo at the time. Issues like rape, murder, and sin were finally being publicly discussed (Harris). Many of the stories also have a common motif of a wanderer protagonist who finds themselves trapped in isolation. (Domenic). Gothic literature made its big debut in author Horace Walpole’s novel The Castle of Otranto. The gothic movement changed the world at the time overall in writing, architecture, and art.

Works Cited: De Vore, David, Anne Domenic, Alexandra Kwan, and Nicole Reidy. "The Gothic Novel." Redirect to Teaching Writing with Computers. Web. 27 Mar. 2014.

Gothic Fiction." Princeton University. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2014.

Harris, Robert. "Elements of the Gothic Novel." VirtualSalt. 13 Oct. 2010. Web. 27 Mar. 2014.

Gracie Taber: Cultural



Classic gothic writing had a large impact on culture because of what was happening in the time frame. This type of writing allowed for more romantic and maybe even darker sides of literature. The tie with gothic and romantic styles produced many influential novels that are different from the original romantic novels like Frankenstein. “The historical origins of Gothic writing in the eighteenth century are simultaneously political and aesthetic” (Riquelme). The Gothic writings in the eighteenth century made the path for more modern writings and novels. The Gothic Novel by Ann Tracy is an influential novel used a hero character and tells a story of human fear. These elements opened the moral of the story to interpretation. The influence of the Gothic writing style can still be seen today through more modern authors such as Steven King and Anne Rice, as well as metal music horror films.

Riquelme. "Project MUSE - Introduction: Toward a History of Gothic and Modernism: Dark Modernity from Bram Stoker to Samuel Beckett." Project MUSE - Introduction: Toward a History of Gothic and Modernism: Dark Modernity from Bram Stoker to Samuel Beckett. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Mar. 2014.