While searching for primary sources within the Gothic sub genre, I decided that one of the most important aspects would be that of time. The height of the Gothic novel is proposed as extending from 1764 - 1820 however the genre was still vibrant for many years. As a result I have chosen primary sources from the 18th, 19th, and 20th century. These texts clearly show the evolution of the genre, as well as the general changes in writing style over the centuries.
One book which I am studying is The Monk by Matthew Gregory Lewis. This book was originally published in 1796, and it exemplifies much of the early Gothic genre. The book has much of the dark and excessive imagery which genre has become known for, and it is also rooted in Catholic symbolism. I had known from my secondary research that a protestant distrust or ignorance of Catholicism fueled much of the early Gothic imagination. My secondary sources suggest that in addition the Gothic refers to romantic themes, and the excessive emotions of the characters motivations certainly reflects this. I can’t help but feel that in addition to a return to the romantic, The Monk, also seems to suggest early shades of melodrama.
Another primary source I am studying is As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner. I have never been a huge fan of Faulkner, but the sub genre of the Southern Gothic is essential to understanding the continuation of the Gothic genre. Much of the excesses of early Gothic fiction had been abandoned by this time, but the macabre and tenebrous have not been abandoned. This sub genre demonstrates much of the power held within the Gothic, which is was often overlooked in earlier centuries. The romanticism is still present, but generations of Gothic novels embracing common tropes forced an evolution within the genre. The horror novels of an earlier time have little in common with the social commentary and examination of the new works. I still am not a huge fan of Faulkner, but I am hoping studying this novel from this new perspective might aid me somehow. At the very least now I have a good excuse to finish one of his novels.
Why was the height of popularity for gothic novels so short? How did the genre evolve after this time period?
ReplyDeleteThis question could probably apply to many of the other subgenres, as mine (graphic memoir) seems to span a short period of time compared to just about anything, but considering the Gothic is a pretty well-regarded subgenre and you mentioned choosing works from each of the centuries, I'm wondering how you decided on the works you did? Sorry, that's a long sentence. More or less, how did you go about deciding which works would be most representative of the changes in the genre?
ReplyDeleteWhat you call a recession from excess I would see more on a focus on the real; it is one thing to have a semi-fantastical tale about otherworldly horrors, and it is another entirely for those horrors to be confined to a little-known pit in the midst of the Louisiana swamps. I'm certain I've made some misconception or wild exaggeration, but my point is simply that I think the lack of excess makes Gothic more effective; some of the more excessive gothic is entertaining for the wrong reasons, and a step back I do not think is a step backward.
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