going gothic

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Going Gothic Going Gothic A Content Analysis of Gothic and Horror Literature for Young A Content Analysis of Gothic and Horror Literature for Young Adults Adults Elizabeth Hughes Elizabeth Hughes Graduate School of Library and Information Science Graduate School of Library and Information Science Queens College Queens College GLIS 709 GLIS 709 Spring Semester 2014 Spring Semester 2014

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Page 1: Going gothic

Going GothicGoing GothicA Content Analysis of Gothic and Horror Literature for Young A Content Analysis of Gothic and Horror Literature for Young

Adults Adults

Elizabeth Hughes Elizabeth Hughes Graduate School of Library and Information Science Graduate School of Library and Information Science

Queens College Queens College GLIS 709 GLIS 709

Spring Semester 2014Spring Semester 2014

Page 2: Going gothic

The Problem The Problem One of the biggest challenges facing One of the biggest challenges facing Young Adult (YA) Librarians is Young Adult (YA) Librarians is motivating young adults to read. motivating young adults to read.

It is important for YA Librarians to It is important for YA Librarians to understand what materials teens are understand what materials teens are looking for, as well as, how to appeal to looking for, as well as, how to appeal to their literary tastes. their literary tastes.

This study is a content analysis of young This study is a content analysis of young adult novels found under one specific adult novels found under one specific genre heading, gothic and horror novels, genre heading, gothic and horror novels, published from 2003 to 2013. published from 2003 to 2013.

It has examined the trends, similarities It has examined the trends, similarities and significant changes between 33 and significant changes between 33 titles to help librarians better titles to help librarians better understand this genre and how it understand this genre and how it appeals to a teen audience. appeals to a teen audience.

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What We Already Know about What We Already Know about Gothic Gothic LiteratureLiterature

-The gothic genre dates back to 1764, when Horace Walpole published The Castle

of Otranto (Kies, 1992).

-Other authors, such as Bram Stoker, Mary Shelley and Emily Bronte soon

followed suit and the gothic generation swept England.

-The Gothic quickly moved onto American soil. These stories represented the

paradox of the “American Dream,”: settlers were coming here to make a better

life for themselves, yet they soon realized the country wasn’t what they

expected. Gothic stories mirrored these experiences and hit a nerve with new

americans and their faith in social and material progress (Hoegle, 2002).

-It wasn’t long before the likes of Edgar Allan Poe and Nathaniel Hawthorne took

the country by storm and wrote tales which reflected both the past writings of

this genre, as well as broke new grounds and gave way to the macabre.

Page 4: Going gothic

Why Do Young Adults Read Why Do Young Adults Read Gothic and Horror Novels? Gothic and Horror Novels?

-Horror and gothic literature is meant to scare and intimidate readers, while still

coaxing them to turn the page and see what happens next.

-It captures the attentions of all young adult readers, advanced and reluctant,

because readers are able to relate to the stories, despite what reading level

they may be at (Jensen, 2013).

-Themes include: coming of age, finding the power within yourself, thinking

outside the box and not being afraid to be yourself.

-These stories provide an outlet.

-Characters help readers “feel at ease with their own world,” and “feel a

mystical sense of being that can’t be found anywhere else” (The Alluring Darkness:

Finding Belonging in Fangs and Wands, 2008).

Page 5: Going gothic

Methodology Methodology

• Content Analysis of 33 young adult horror/gothic novels Content Analysis of 33 young adult horror/gothic novels published between 2003 and 2013. published between 2003 and 2013.

• Qualitative Data was collected due to the focus on literary Qualitative Data was collected due to the focus on literary characteristics and content of these novels. characteristics and content of these novels.

• Definition of Terms has been established for ideas and terms Definition of Terms has been established for ideas and terms most used in this study. most used in this study.

• Research Instrument used was a checklist to record data for Research Instrument used was a checklist to record data for each of the titles selected. each of the titles selected.

Page 6: Going gothic

Books Used for this Study Books Used for this Study

2003 - 2003 - 20132013

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The Checklist The Checklist Content Analysis for Young Adult Gothic Literature 

This worksheet is to be used by the author of the research paper. It is meant to track the qualities found within each piece of literature analyzed. It is not meant for public use.

Title Author Year Published Publisher Reading Age Level

Is the author male or female?_____ Male _____ Female

Is this book part of a larger series/trilogy or does it stand alone? _____ Stand Alone

_____ Trilogy _____ Series

Is the main character male or female?_____ Male _____ Female

How many of the 5 major Gothic themes are present in the story? 0 1 2 3 4 5

Is there any love interest/love triangle?_____ Yes _____ No

How many supernatural beings are introduced in the story? 0 1 2 3 4 5

Does this novel also crossover into other genres?_____ Yes _____ No

Has this book received any literary awards?_____ Yes _____ No

Page 8: Going gothic

Findings and Analysis of Findings and Analysis of Data Data On average, at least 5 Gothic elements are found in each YA On average, at least 5 Gothic elements are found in each YA

novel. All novels featured an abandoned novel. All novels featured an abandoned castle/mansion/warehouse, a dark atmosphere which propelled castle/mansion/warehouse, a dark atmosphere which propelled the story and some type of supernatural being, good and evil. the story and some type of supernatural being, good and evil.

Earlier novels featured more male protagonists, an action driven Earlier novels featured more male protagonists, an action driven plot and were written by male authors.plot and were written by male authors.

Later novels saw more female authors, female protagonists and Later novels saw more female authors, female protagonists and more romantic story lines. more romantic story lines.

Novels published between 2009 to 2013 won more award Novels published between 2009 to 2013 won more award nominations, honorable mentions and garnered more literary nominations, honorable mentions and garnered more literary attention from the American Library Association and attention from the American Library Association and professional publications then those published from 2003 to professional publications then those published from 2003 to 2008.2008.

The biggest change that appeared was the language used. Prior The biggest change that appeared was the language used. Prior to 2008, most supernatural beings had names like Peeps, to 2008, most supernatural beings had names like Peeps, Hemes, Cradlejacks and Wych-Hunters. After 2008, these beings Hemes, Cradlejacks and Wych-Hunters. After 2008, these beings were more likely to be referred to as vampires, werewolves and were more likely to be referred to as vampires, werewolves and witch hunters. witch hunters.

Page 9: Going gothic

Appeal Appeal Factors for Factors for

Teens. Teens. • Median age of protagonists is 15.7 Median age of protagonists is 15.7

years old. years old. • Between 2003 to 2013, there was a Between 2003 to 2013, there was a

dramatic increase in strong female dramatic increase in strong female protagonists. protagonists.

• There was also a strong increase in There was also a strong increase in using love interests and love using love interests and love triangles to propel a storyline, triangles to propel a storyline, especially after 2008. especially after 2008.

• Themes of novels remained Themes of novels remained constant; coming of age, accepting constant; coming of age, accepting yourself and facing your fears are yourself and facing your fears are among the top three. among the top three.

• There is a fair mix of protagonists There is a fair mix of protagonists who have supernatural powers, who have supernatural powers, some who acquire powers and some who acquire powers and others who remain human others who remain human throughout the story, no matter the throughout the story, no matter the year published. year published.

Page 10: Going gothic

Summary and Conclusions Summary and Conclusions

• The genre of Gothic/Horror is ever evolving in Young Adult The genre of Gothic/Horror is ever evolving in Young Adult Literature. Literature.

• Librarians must stay current and be aware of the titles Librarians must stay current and be aware of the titles available to better serve their patrons. available to better serve their patrons.

• Even if horror is not your strong suit, don’t under estimate Even if horror is not your strong suit, don’t under estimate its appeal and entertainment values to its audience. its appeal and entertainment values to its audience. Remember how many novels, movies, TV shows, video Remember how many novels, movies, TV shows, video games, etc. are being released all year long, not just during games, etc. are being released all year long, not just during the month of October.the month of October.

• Don’t be afraid to talk to teens and find out what it is about Don’t be afraid to talk to teens and find out what it is about these titles that appeals to them. Is it the horror? Is it the these titles that appeals to them. Is it the horror? Is it the romance? Is it the writing style?romance? Is it the writing style?