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Writer's pictureAlexandra Rae

A Brief Discussion of Gothic Fiction with Autumn’s Arrival

By Hrichita Paul


Autumn is knocking at our doors and what could be a better time to prepare a massive list of

fall-themed books (and there will surely be a couple of gothic novels thrown into the list).

Without this, Autumn isn't complete!

Image from Pinterest


Recommendations for good gothic books will be plentiful on the internet. So, let’s not just give

you a list of gothic books that you can just read, but take you back to the origin of gothic fiction

and acquaint you with the gothic atmosphere that autumn brings with it!


We have all heard of Horace Walpole as the begetter of Gothic fiction with his ‘Castle of

Otranto’ but the earliest roots of the gothic genre in literature sprout from medieval times. The long-standing belief in superstitious elements, curses, and ill omens from ancient times is a backbone in the development of the gothic genre. It is also said that Gothic fiction stems from Dark Romanticism, a more macabre subgenre of Romanticism.


The social atmosphere and period that gave birth to the gothic genre and set its themes

in place are the resultant the end of the eighteenth century when social, political, and economic unrest destabilized the state. Thus, Gothic was and continues to be described as a reactionary genre devoted to returning repressed societal fears to our attention -- with the introduction of suspense, feeling of awe, mystery, dark atmosphere, eerie settings, cynical characters, lunacy, and unnatural power.


Notably, the genre highlights the clash between “modernity” and “antiquity.”

Chris Baldick and Robert Mighall explain that the purpose of anachronism in Gothic fiction

is to allow the “birth of modernity.”


The faith people rested on certain fears is one of the reasons behind the development of the

gothic genre. The belief in evil powers, supernatural elements, and superstition gave the

genre a strong ground -- and even though the age of such superstition is long gone, there’s still

no wonder why the genre hits us with so much awe.



References:

A Guide to the Gothic by Press books publication

Evolution And Place Of Gothic Fiction In Modern Society in IJCRT

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