LITR 4232 American Renaissance

Sample Student Research Project 2013
Essay

Kreuzer, Baisha

Gothic is the Hooking Element

            The gothic element within the American novel is a theme most prevalent in not only traditional, but current and popular literature as well. The gripping tales of a haunted house, death and ghouls, and fear and darkness, have lasted the test of time as the years pass by. It seems every year, the unveiling of the latest books all contain the same frightening elements. One can question why this theme has lasted for centuries, and the answer lies within human nature’s morbid curiosity. Gothic themes present details that grip the curiosity of a person and cause them wanting more; wanting answers to the unknown, such as in mystery novels or horror stories. Eric G. Wilson argues that gothic elements are accepted to most of society because it can be used as inspiration for creativity and allows expression of the morbid curiosity society represses, “My gothic sensibilities, though sometimes silly, to be sure, …[has] inspired my writing and fueled my intellect” (The science of rubbernecking [10]). Therefore, American authors Edgar Allan Poe, Washington Irving, and Emily Dickinson use the gothic elements in their novels and poetry to create lasting works that are still read and loved today. By analyzing the texts of “Annabel Lee”, “The Fall of the House of Usher”, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”, and “Dare you see a soul at the White Heat”, it can be concluded the gothic elements are key to the lasting preservation of these works.

            “Annabel Lee” by Poe is a majestic ballad that has hooked readers for centuries. In an initial read, I was moved by the fluidity of the verses. Every sentence seemed structured to roll off the tongue in a sort of literary dance. The concept of the transcendent prevails strongly within Poe’s words as he portrays that death cannot keep him and his loved one apart. The repetition of words brings about an ominous rhythm to the poem and Poe’s use of formal verse provides the appearance of his work to be song-like. In the beginning of the ballad, Poe illustrates a beautiful portrait of Annabel Lee and his love for her in their beautiful kingdom by the sea. However, by the third stanza, Poe describes an image of Annabel Lee dying and being buried in a tomb,

                        A wind blew out of a cloud by night
                                    Chilling my Annabel Lee;
                        So that her high-born kinsmen came
                                    and bore her away from me,
                        To shut her up, in a sepulcher
                                    In this kingdom by the sea
                                                                        [Annabel Lee 3.1-3.8]

            This sudden shift expels a gothic element that turns the mood of the story from optimistic to unpleasant. Poe’s use of the phrases “chilling my Annabel Lee”, “bore her away”, and “shut her up, in a sepulcher” all have heavy gothic influences that significantly turn the ballad into a dark romance. In return however, these phrases also add elements of excitement and mystery, therefore enticing the reader to question why the sudden change and invite them to continue on to find their answers. This can be perceived as the hook that engages the reader to finish the story and is a prime example of why gothic works prevail for decades.

            Similarly, Poe’s work of “The Fall of the House of Usher” has continued to be read and enjoyed for decades in the same way “Annabel Lee” has. While more prominent than “Annabel Lee”, “The Fall of the House of Usher” contains typical gothic themes such as decay, ruin, a haunted house, death, etc. This work has become so popular due to Poe’s use of “the contemporary paperback formula of the haunted house” (Bailey, 15). The introduction of this formula has echoed through novels from Poe all the way to current literature. While Poe did use the now popular theme of the haunted house, what makes this novel so compelling is the vagueness. When the narrator first arrives at his supposedly old childhood friend’s house, we as the readers are not told why he is there or even what the time and setting of the story is. Due to the lack of basic knowledge, the mystery persuades an addicting need to read further in hopes to gain this information.

            Poe’s gothic descriptions of a house decaying and “the vacant eye-like windows” portray a horrifying element of darkness and strongly invoke a morbid curiosity to the reader (Usher, 2). The consistent use of alter egos (or as we also defined in class: doppelgangers) within Poe’s work also portrays mystery and a connection to a presence beyond the living. For example, the house and the reflection seen in the lake personify two images that reflect different personalities. It is also curious that the narrator did not know that his allegedly longtime friend had a twin sister, a fact that even acquaintances can recall to one another. It can also be argued that the twin sister, Madeline, does not even exist and is simply a figment of the imagination of both the narrator and his childhood friend. To someone who has never read the House of Usher, that concept alone is compelling enough to want to read further. The concept of mystery is a perfect example of the gripping effects gothic novels have on readers. With the balance of mystery and horror, Poe created a story that has passed the test of time, similarly to the work of Irving.

            “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” is a classic example of American gothic literature. The tale invokes a ghost story involving Ichabod Crane’s attempt to win the heart of Katrina Van Tassel. Although the story involves themes relevant to the selfishness of humanity, and the resources and history of America, Washington Irving uses a substantial amount of supernatural elements to give the story a gripping effect. The use of supernatural has always heightened the curiosity of most of society, mainly due to the lack of knowledge of life beyond the living. I believe that human nature craves mystery because knowing everything is quite frankly, too boring. The mystery excites us and Irving’s novel highlights just that. Sleepy Hollow plays perfectly off the superstition of the townspeople and by proxy, the superstition in the reader. Irving also incorporates a balanced combination of natural along with the supernatural. For example, the persistence of the townspeople telling ghost stories allows for the unexplained interactions with ghosts to appear real. Also, was Ichabod hit by a real pumpkin or a ghost? By mixing the natural and the supernatural simultaneously, the definition of what is real and what is supernatural becomes undistinctive. These gothic related elements play on the interests of readers by causing excitement and suspense in an initial read. However, although the works of Poe and Irving have displayed a hooking element in their gothic novels and ballads, Dickinson has proven that you don’t need to write a lengthy piece of literature to create a masterpiece.

            In “Dare you see a soul at the White Heat”, Emily Dickinson writes only sixteen short lines, but her hints of gothic elements highlight her poetry. Dickinson uses the obvious forms of gothic elements in her language by using words such as “fire” and “blaze”. Dickinson’s use of color descriptions furthers her use of gothic elements by switching from light to a blazing, red flame.

                        Refining these impatient Ores
                        With hammer, and with Blaze
                        Until the Designated Light
                        Repudiate the Forge—
                                                            [Dickinson, 13-19]

            White Heat provides a more obvious use of gothic elements with Dickinson’s portrayal of fire and blaze. However, this poem also expands the use of romanticism. Her use of free verse within the poem allow for a further elaboration of romantic elements. I do believe that her use of imagery of a blazing flame invites enough gothic elements into her piece that allows for a more interesting read.

            With gothic elements, any story or poem can take an attention-grabbing direction. Whether it’s a heavy influence such as Poe or Irving, or simply a hint such as Dickinson, the use of gothic elements persuade the potential reader to continue. Prior to this class, when I heard the term gothic, I envisioned a completely dark and gloomy image, but now my perspective has broadened. Yes, gothic does include the traditional haunted house and mentally disturbed individual. However, in cases such as Dickinson, sometimes a hint can be more than enough!

            In current literature, gothic elements can be seen all over the place. In today’s popular novels such as Game of Thrones, the Twilight series, or even any Stephen King novel, gothic elements swarm from cover to cover because it sells! Society loves gothic elements and that is why such pieces such as “The Fall of the House of Usher” or “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” last for so long.

Work Cited

1. Bailey, Dale. American Nightmares: The Haunted House Formula in American             Popular Fiction. Bowling Green: Bowling Green State University Popular, 2011.             Print.

2. Dickinson, Emily. [Dare you see a Soul at the White Heat?] (1830-86). Print.

3. Poe, Edgar Allen. “Annabel Lee.” The Heath Anthology of American Literature. Ed.        Suzanne Phelps Weird. 5th Ed. Vol. B, Early Nineteenth Century: 1800-1865.      Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2006.

4. Poe, Edgar Allen. “The Fall of the House of Usher” The Heath Anthology of American     Literature. Ed. Suzanne Phelps Weird. 5th Ed. Vol. B, Early Nineteenth Century:          1800-1865. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2006..

5. Washington, Irving. “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” (1819). Print.

6. Wilson, G. Eric. Everyone Loves a Good Train Wreck: Why We Can’t Look Away::          The Science of Rubbernecking. Sarah Crichton Books, 2012. Print.


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