Common elements of the Gothic novel include: a setting in a castle or mansion, supernatural or inexplicable events, overwrought emotions, one or more women in distress, and a metonymy of gloom and horror (Harris). Many speculate this fact contributed to the name “Gothic fiction,” although The Castle of Otranto was set in Gothic times and may have also given the genre its name.ĭescribed as a blended form of prose fiction, the Gothic aims to combine the narrative, dramatic, and lyric styles of writing into a powerful tale of dark themes, sometimes supernatural elements, and social repression. Although it has no ties to the Gothic era of history, Gothic fiction did mirror the rise of Gothic architecture at the same time. The Gothic genre first came into popularity in the mid-eighteenth century with the publication of The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole. The Gothic Romance: Origins & Elementsīefore examining the similarities between Jane Eyre and Rebecca, it is necessary to understand what elements make up the literary genre of Gothic romance. In capturing the essence of their genre, DuMaurier's and Brontë's classic works provide prime examples of many of the common elements, rhetorical devices, and characterizations of the Gothic romance novel. Today, the two classics are still read and discussed in modern literature classrooms, offering readers many parallels. Whether it was intentional or not, DuMaurier never commented on the novels' similarities, but the evidence speaks for itself, extending far beyond heroines and plotlines. Ultimately, however, criticisms of DuMaurier's most famous novel were quick to point out its irrefutable resemblance to another Gothic romance novel written nearly 100 years prior: Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre (1847). You've got most of the classic Gothic elements, but really, the novel is about a young woman who becomes independent and self-sufficient in a time when it was a rarity.When Daphne DuMaurier's acclaimed Gothic romance novel Rebecca debuted in 1938, it was devoured by the female readers of its day. Rochester finally get together, you know it's because they truly love each other. She grows and changes throughout the book, and when she and Mr. Jane, in fact, is one of my favorite characters in literature. Jane is a strong, independent young woman who takes her own paths, even when her destiny seems to be laid out and is unalterable. They're not typical heroes and/or heroines. I think it's so well written, and the characters are so interesting. I guess my favorite Gothic novel is "Jane Eyre." Charlotte Bronte really hooked me into that one. The other movies are just a little too clean and sanitized - even the Bela Lugosi version. To me, it really captures the tension and horror of the novel.
SUPERNATURAL GOTHIC LITERATURE MOVIE
The movie version by Francis Ford Coppola is the best one, even though it strays a little from the book. He wanted the reader to start looking around for vampires. It reads much easier than "Frankenstein" and it's clear Stoker wanted a really convincing read.
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I think my favorite of the Gothic novels has to be "Dracula" by Bram Stoker.
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Hated "Wuthering Heights" by her sister, though. What is it about vampires that attracts people anyway? The Woman in Black is also a novel based on Gothic literature.Īre all of the recent vampire movies considered Gothic fiction? These types of movies have been really popular over the last several years.