LITR 4328 American Renaissance
Research Posts 2015
(research post assignment)

Research Post 2

Nathan Mesloh 

5-4-15

Transformation of Gothic Literature

 

     This second research post is a continuation of my previous post where I explored the origins of gothic literature. This one will examine how the style of writing has evolved overtime, specifically from the publication of The Castle of Otranto, which is considered the first gothic novel.

 

     The Castle of Otranto was published in 1764, and told the story of a young woman who was attempting to flee from an evil man who lusted after her. It takes place in a dark old castle in a foreign land, which have become classic icons of gothic literature. From here one of the next major novels is The Monk by Matthew Lewis in 1796 (bbc.co.uk). This novel was considered gothic because of how it featured incestuous necrophilia, matricide, cannibalism, and even more dark aspects of humans that would be considered horrifying on many levels to a majority of mankind (bbc.co.uk). As it stands in the late 1700s gothic literature focuses on the darkness within humans, unknown places, and dark castles.

 

     The genre shifts again in 1816 with the publication of The Vampyre and Frankenstein. The first is the first English written vampire story, written by John Polidori, and the second written by Mary Shelley which tells the tale of a mad scientist creating life from dead tissue. Both of these were written in the same night, in the same location in a contest of who could write the better ghost story (publicdomainreview.org). The modern vampire story is a very common one in todays age, with recent series such as Twilight, Underworld, True Blood, and many others. These novels have made a serious change in the gothic literature in that they brought in a new element, which is the supernatural beings of the vampire, or Frankenstein’s monster. While previously it was the darkness of men, it has now transformed into something new.

 

     There was not much time between these and when Gothic Literature changed yet again, with the publications of Poe’s previously unpublished short stories in 1860 (bbc.co.uk). Poe changed the face of Gothic literature even more, by creating a new element. He would have all of the previous aspects of gothic literature mentioned, but in addition to that he introduced the concept of psychological horror. In addition to this, Poe took the setting of the dark faraway castle, and put his settings into ones readers could relate to such as a home in The Telltale Heart, or a school in William Wilson (poemuseum.org). In some cases, Poe would use the classic dark old abandoned castle, but even when he did he did not make that his primary focus, but instead the psychology of his characters (poemuseum.org).

 

   The next and final major change I will examine happened in 1896, where the first gothic film was created. This film was a French film titled Le Manoir Du Diable, translating to The Devil’s Castle (filmsite.org). The film lasted only 2 minutes, and showed many elements of the Gothic, with bats flying, a castle, a demonic figure, and other elements. After this film, many others began to appear over time, which would lead to a mass of horror movies. 

 

     To conclude this research post, the gothic novel began with focusing on the darkness of mankind, and old castles in faraway lands. It then changed with the publication of Dracula and Frankenstein to add in the supernatural beings. After these Poe added in the element of psychological horror and making the settings in everyday places. Finally, the first gothic film was created, which while a brief 2 minutes, it would lead to inspire many other films to be created. Gothic literature started out with simple key elements and expanded into much more, molding what it is today.

   

 

                                                Works Cited

 

BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 04 May 2015. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/timelines/ 

     zyp72hv#zqwrcdm>.

 

"Horror Films." Horror Films. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 May 2015. <http://www.filmsite.org/

     horrorfilms.html>.

 

"The Poet, the Physician and the Birth of the Modern Vampire." The Public Domain Review.

     N.p., n.d. Web. 04 May 2015. <http://publicdomainreview.org/2014/10/16/the-poet-the- 

     physician-and-the-birth-of-the-modern-vampire/>.

 

"Teachers." Teachers. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 May 2015. <https://www.poemuseum.org/teachers-

     poes-literary.php>.

 

"Terms & Themes." Terms & Themes. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 May 2015. <http://coursesite.uhcl.edu/

     HSH/Whitec/terms/G/gothic.htm>.