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Gothic Classics: What is the Gothic?

This guide defines what gothic literature is, provides a brief background on the history of the gothic genre, and contains some examples of classic works of gothic literature for both new and old fans of the genre.

What is the Gothic?

                                                                  

The term “Gothic” stems from the medieval Gothic era from the 12th to 15th century. Gothic literature originated from the Gothic Revival, which began during the late 18th century and lasted until the early 19th century. It is characterized by a gloomy, melancholy atmosphere, likely inspired by the decaying, crumbling ruins of old buildings during the medieval period. As a result, many works of Gothic literature feature ruined castles, monasteries and mansions. Other common elements of the genre include supernatural occurrences and entities, mental illness, young women in distress, a sense of the uncanny, mystery, fear and terror. The first piece of Gothic literature is widely accepted to be The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole, written in 1765. Other classic gothic works include Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and a large portion of Edgar Allan Poe’s works, including his poem The Raven. 

Dark Architecture

 

Gothic Resources

Gothic Literature at Marist

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