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   mshurn Teacher
   College - Freshman

   eNotes Editor

   Gothic literature was born from the literary movement of Romanticism in the 18th and the 19th centuries; the first gothic novel, The Castle of Otranto, was published in 1764, and was followed quickly by several others. Gothic stories and novels were written in Germany, France, England, and finally in the United States. Gothic tales represent a revolt against rationality; they cannot be enjoyed unless the reader is willing to "suspend disbelief" in the rational and accept strange and mysterious events.

   Gothic literature embraces many of the common elements of Romanticism, but with a different emphasis. Gothic literature is dark, focusing on death, decay, and the supernatural. Terror, horror, and passion are staples of the genre. Settings run to the medieval, with the emphasis on ancient times and mysterious, foreboding locations. Castles are popular gothic settings. In gothic stories and novels, plot takes center stage; character development is not inherent in the form. Most characters are stock characters, playing set roles to advance the compelling story.

   Sources:

   http://www.enotes.com/gothic-movement/

   http://www.enotes.com/gothic-movement/style

   http://www.enotes.com/gothic-movement/themes

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   Posted by mshurn on Wednesday February 18, 2009 at 4:53 PM