Gothic
- Gothic Novel - Britannica
Gothic novel, European Romantic pseudomedieval fiction having a prevailing atmosphere of mystery and terror. Its heyday was the 1790s, but it underwent frequent revivals in subsequent centuries.
Encyclopædia Britannica. (n.d.). Gothic novel. Britannica School. Retrieved from https://school-eb-com-au.db.scotch.wa.edu.au/levels/high/article/Gothic-novel/37491 - Gothic Motifs
What does it mean to say a text is Gothic? Professor John Bowen considers some of the best-known Gothic novels of the late 18th and 19th centuries, exploring the features they have in common, including marginal places, transitional time periods and the use of fear and manipulation.
Bowen, J. (n.d.). Gothic motifs. Retrieved from http://www.bl.uk/romantics-and-victorians/articles/gothic-motifs
Gothic Literature
Check your understanding with this matching Quizlet for this video: Exploring Gothic Literature Elements
The origins and conventions of Gothic literature, such as castles, extreme emotions and the supernatural. Other features include confinement, doubling, the hero-villain, metonymy, poor weather, unnatural desires, violence, wild nature and women in distress. The origins and social context of the Gothic are also examined. Examples from well-known Gothic novels are included to illustrate the features discussed.
From pre-gothic texts such as Shakespeare's Macbeth to more modern interpretations such as Stephen King's 'The Shining', the setting chosen for a gothic story has an integral impact on the mood and atmosphere it conjures.
Gothic Villains such as Count Dracula, Frankenstein's monster and Heathcliff have always fascinated audiences - but why? This video explores three iconic gothic characters and unpack their appeal to readers both old and new. I explore aspects such as 'bad boy behaviour', emotional and physical violence, melancholy moods as well as the remote or intimidating settings Gothic Villains are most at home in.
Lit Crit. (2021). Gothic Villains. [Video] In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MD5OwmnwKuc
Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus
Mary Shelley's novel "Frankenstein" has the subtitle "The Modern Prometheus" to draw a comparison between Victor Frankenstein, the scientist in the story, and the figure of Prometheus from Greek mythology.
Prometheus was a Titan who defied the gods by stealing fire and giving it to humanity, which enabled progress and development but also led to his own suffering. His actions represented both the benefits and risks of challenging natural limits.
In "Frankenstein," Victor Frankenstein creates a living being from dead body parts, which is a groundbreaking but dangerous act of scientific exploration. Just like Prometheus, Victor’s quest for knowledge and power leads to unforeseen consequences and suffering, both for himself and others.
So, the subtitle suggests that Victor Frankenstein's story is a modern retelling of Prometheus’s myth, highlighting themes of ambition, innovation, and the potential consequences of pushing boundaries.
- Prometheus - Britannica School
In Greek mythology, Prometheus was one of the Titans, the supreme trickster, and a god of fire. His intellectual side was emphasized by the apparent meaning of his name, Foresight. In common belief he developed into a master craftsman, and in this connection he was associated with fire and the creation of man.
Encyclopædia Britannica. (n.d.). Prometheus. Britannica School. Retrieved July 29, 2024, from https://school-eb-com-au.db.scotch.wa.edu.au/levels/middle/article/Prometheus/313075 - PROMETHEUS - Greek Titan God of Forethought, Creator of Mankind
PROMETHEUS was the Titan god of forethought and crafty counsel who was given the task of moulding mankind out of clay.
Atsma, A.J. (n.d.). PROMETHEUS - Greek Titan God of Forethought, Creator of Mankind. [online] Theoi Greek Mythology. Available at: https://www.theoi.com/Titan/TitanPrometheus.html. - Mary Shelley's Frankenstein – in chartsTwo centuries after the publication of Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein, the monster she created still stalks our imaginations. Adam Frost, Sergio Gallardo and Edu Fuentes piece together the facts behind the myth. Some great charts here.
Frost, A., Gallardo, S., & Fuentes, E. (2018). Even by Gothic standards, her characters would travel a long way [Online image] Even by Gothic standards, her characters would travel a long way]. In The Guardian2018. https://www.theguardian.com/books/gallery/2018/jan/13/mary-shelleys-frankenstein-in-charts
- Frankenstein by Mary Shelley - BBCFrankenstein was written by Mary Shelley and first published in 1818. It is a Gothic
story about what can happen when ambition goes too far. It also questions the responsibilities of creators to their creations. In Frankenstein, Shelley explores themes like ambition, revenge and what it means to be a monster.
Everything you need to know to read "Frankenstein"
In 1815, Lord Byron proposed a challenge to a few literary guests he had gathered in his house on Lake Geneva: Who could write the most chilling ghost story? This question sparked an idea in eighteen-year-old Mary Shelley who, over the next few months, crafted the story of “Frankenstein.” Iseult Gillespie shares everything you need to know to read Mary Shelley’s classic novel.
Gothic Elements?
Not a serious take on Gothic essentials