the gothic and the supernaturalwoodliff.weebly.com/uploads/2/8/6/1/2861018/gothic... · gothic lit...
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Gothic and Supernatural Motifs
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It’s called “Gothic” because
gothic-style settings—like castles,
mansions, and monasteries—
served well as backdrops for such
dark literature.
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The run-down… Genre deals with emotional extremes and
very dark themes; it examines our deepest,
darkest fears—both real and imaginary.
Gothic lit often incorporates
supernatural elements, demons,
and apparitions.
Meant to terrorize the reader—
but also draw them in
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Common characteristics
Victim is helpless against his torturer
Torturer has immense power, sometimes supernatural
Victim is often trapped by impenetrable walls—physical or psychological
Atmosphere of mystery, darkness, oppressiveness
Mysterious disappearances and reappearances
Melodramatically violent and psychologically abnormal
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Famous (to some) Authors
Horace Walpole's novel The Castle of Otranto (1764) is
considered to be the first gothic
novel
Mary Shelley—Frankenstein
Edgar Allen Poe
Bram Stoker—Dracula
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1) The Doppelganger
“Evil Twin”
A second self or
alternate identity
Suggests humans have
a double nature
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2) The Faust Motif: Forbidden Knowledge or Power
Hero attempts to
control
supernatural
powers
Ambition leads to
fall
Dr. Faustus makes a
deal with the Devil
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3) Monster/ Satanic Hero/ Fallen Man
Fallen Hero becomes a Monster
Or, confronts a monster who is his double
Like Satan, he defies the rules of God’s universe
Frankenstein’s Monster
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4) Demons/ Devils/ Witches/ Angels
Represent conflicting
forces in the human soul
Hero may be tempted by
evil spirits
Or, redeemed by good
spirits
The Three Weird Sisters
in Macbeth
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5) Magic Talismans
Symbolize supernatural
forces in the hero’s
personality
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6) Dreams / Visions
Reveal hidden truths of
the unconscious mind
Dracula visits his victim
as she sleeps
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7) Signs / Omens
Reveal intention of
cosmic forces
Often represent
psychological or
spiritual conflict
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8) Graveyards / Churches / Ruins
Suggest
human
confrontation
with infinite
forces
Whitby churchyard
from Dracula
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9) Haunted Castle or House
Reflects Hero’s
Psychological
character
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10) Madness
Reflects realities
beyond rational
comprehension
Mad characters
speak truths we
wish to deny
The mad man compels
passers-by to listen
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11) Blood Symbolizes
paradox of human
condition
Represents
life/death,
guilt/innocence
The Vampire’s Feast Thwarted