Horace Walpole wrote the first Gothic novel in 1764. His book, 'The Castle of Ontranto' began a writing tradition that has remained popular ever since. Covering the darker side of human life, the style offers fascinating reading. Many modern authors openly admit that they use his books as fertile source material.
There are many authors who have written in the Gothic manner. The term is used in connection with a very specific type of story which contains a number of required elements. The first of these is the setting. This is often a castle which will have unexplained hidden rooms or dungeons, or be in a ruinous state. The setting should be somewhere isolated which means that the characters in the story will find it difficult to summon help.
The atmosphere within the castle has to be dark and mysterious. There will be unusual noises like clanking chains or creaking roof timbers. There could be disembodied voices or screams at some point in the tale, all adding to the fear felt by the protagonist.
The story has to be emotionally charged with lovers torn apart through devious in-laws or unwanted arranged marriages and incestuous rapes. There is always a woman in distress who is vulnerable through the power of the male characters in her life.
Holy visions or magical spells are ways in which the supernatural manifests itself in this genre. Sometimes the black arts are employed by religious persons to give an added element of the macabre to the story.
The weather will be a major player in the story. Emotions are mirrored through changeable climate conditions. The moon will wax and wane as the heroine fades and loses her mind. Eerie sounds of wild animals will emphasize the isolation of the location.
The first Gothic Novel that you read should not be your last. Although each tale hangs on a similar frame, the unique persona in every story makes each one a delight.
There are many authors who have written in the Gothic manner. The term is used in connection with a very specific type of story which contains a number of required elements. The first of these is the setting. This is often a castle which will have unexplained hidden rooms or dungeons, or be in a ruinous state. The setting should be somewhere isolated which means that the characters in the story will find it difficult to summon help.
The atmosphere within the castle has to be dark and mysterious. There will be unusual noises like clanking chains or creaking roof timbers. There could be disembodied voices or screams at some point in the tale, all adding to the fear felt by the protagonist.
The story has to be emotionally charged with lovers torn apart through devious in-laws or unwanted arranged marriages and incestuous rapes. There is always a woman in distress who is vulnerable through the power of the male characters in her life.
Holy visions or magical spells are ways in which the supernatural manifests itself in this genre. Sometimes the black arts are employed by religious persons to give an added element of the macabre to the story.
The weather will be a major player in the story. Emotions are mirrored through changeable climate conditions. The moon will wax and wane as the heroine fades and loses her mind. Eerie sounds of wild animals will emphasize the isolation of the location.
The first Gothic Novel that you read should not be your last. Although each tale hangs on a similar frame, the unique persona in every story makes each one a delight.
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