Gothic fiction emerged in the 18th century and has endured and thrived, branching into numerous subgenres. The early novels of this era were characterized by their focus on morality, philosophy, and religion. The villains in these narratives often served as metaphors for human temptations that the hero must overcome. These novels typically concluded somberly, with romance taking a backseat to other themes.
The defining characteristic of a gothic novel is the human struggle against formidable, often supernatural, evil forces. These forces, manifesting as ghosts, monsters, or otherworldly creatures, paint a harsh, inevitable landscape, heightening the narrative’s sense of dread and suspense. This struggle against the supernatural will indeed evoke a sense of awe and intrigue in the readers.
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Late 18th Century: The Origins
The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole, published in 1764, is hailed as the genre’s first original novel. It established the genre’s tone with its unique elements, such as remote castles, supernatural events, and gloomy atmospheres. This novel shaped the literary genre of its time and influenced today’s books, films, and art. It also significantly formed the goth subculture, demonstrating the depth of the influence of Gothic fiction.
This period saw the rise of Gothic Fiction, with Ann Radcliffe’s The Mysteries of Udolpho, published in 1794, emphasizing suspense, mystery, and the characters’ psychological experiences.
Early 19th Century
In 1818, Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein, a science fiction novel with Gothic elements such as horror, isolation, and the macabre. The book represents a shift in the genre as the antagonist is not a man but a supernatural being, symbolizing the dangers of human recklessness in scientific experimentation.
In the 19th century, we witnessed a fascinating evolution of gothic fiction. Victorian England saw a fusion of Gothic fiction with Romanticism, a movement that emphasized emotion, individualism, and the beauty of nature. This fusion is exemplified in Emily Bronte’s 1847 novel Wuthering Heights, which delves into themes of passion, revenge, and the supernatural, highlighting the genre’s versatility and ability to adapt to changing literary trends.
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Late 19th century
Later, Bram Stoker’s now-immortal Dracula explored the themes of sexuality, power, and modernity at the decadent end of the century. In the same year, 1866, Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is considered a defining book of the gothic horror genre. Although not strictly Gothic, Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray deals with decadence, vanity, and the corrupting influence of art in this 1890 novel.
Early 20th Century or Modern Gothic
In 1938, Daphne du Maurier’s psychological thriller Rebecca contained Gothic elements, focusing on Rebecca’s mysterious death and the haunting presence she left behind. Then, the master of horror, Edgar Allan Poe, consolidated the elements of gothic horror in his short stories, starting in 1939 with The Fall of the House of Usher. This was followed by Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House in 1959, a terrifying tale of a haunted house and its effect on the characters’ psyches, blending psychological horror with traditional Gothic tropes.
Late 20th Century: Neo-Gothic and Postmodern Gothic
The Bloody Chamber, written by Angela Carter in 1979, is a collection of dark, feminist retellings of fairy tales with Gothic undertones. This was followed by Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire in 1996, the first installment in the Vampire Chronicles series, which explores themes of immortality, morality, and the human condition.
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21st Century: Contemporary Gothic
The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters 2009 is set in post-World War II Britain; this novel combines historical fiction with a haunting atmosphere and supernatural elements. There is Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus, in 2011, while not strictly Gothic, which incorporates elements of magical realism and a mysterious, atmospheric setting.
Here are some notable literary works to remember: One is Vicious, written by VE Schwab in 2013. It is reminiscent of Frankenstein, with the antihero Victor playing the roles of both the doctor and monster. The story delves into monsters, their creators, and the most terrible of all: humans. Another work is The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry, published in 2016. This one has romance, a serpent-like creature, and a gothic theme of science and belief that are intertwined throughout the story and the Gothic genre.
The genre has and continues to evolve, but as in many other genres, it is increasingly a combination of genres.
