The Gothic Genre
At the beginning of the 18th century the
neoclassical period still reigned. It pertained to objectivity, order and
intellectuality of man-kind. This was soon to change. Mid - 18th century
England saw a transition away from the ground in 'age of reason' and a
gravitation towards the gothic movement that saw the return to a primitive
state of mind. The rise of the gothic genre pertaining to this time period was
due to the reactionary, romantic movement that later onwards led to the
romantic period. This reactionary effect rose from the advancements in science,
heavy industrialisation and revolutions in nearby countries.
Revolutions in nearby countries such as France and
the USA posed a threat to the English Aristocracy. There appeared to be an
emerging schism between Aristocracy and Democracy, with much of the emerging
genres and romantic/gothic literature favouring the democratic ideals. The
gothic genre gravitated towards these social outcasts, the revolutionists who
helped develop the genre. So much so that now, a heavy element of much of
gothic fiction is that of social outcasts, rebels and "loners".
Lower social classes dismissed the investment in
industrialisation due to the suffering that they endured, through exploitation
and suppression. During the unrest, the typical social classes blurred and
crumbled. The gothic genre found its place then, when people questioned their
own place in the society and the identity of the society itself. It offered a
"what if" scenario, where elements of the supernatural were
frequently used.
Advancements in genetic research and science proved
to be more frightening than exciting to much of the British people. So much so that
popular literature seemed to damn the scientific community for such innovations
as seen in such books as Mary Shelley's Frankenstein which emphasised
fears of the undead and artificial life. Since gothic literature was what was
at the time known for its rebellious attitude and non-conformity, such
retaliative writing was soon associated with the genre. Gothic literature
became known for its use of symbolism towards death and damnation, for evil and
for the undead. It became the literature that not only said “what if” but in
correlation to the fears and horrors that was present.
Latter 18th century and early 19th
century England, saw the decrease in popularity of the genre, with many people
moving towards the romantic genre. This was due to the need for “reasoning” in
gothic literature. Fears needed to have reasoning, so much so, that even though
the gothic genre was a rebellion towards the neoclassicism, it needed the
neoclassical ideas of reasoning and explanation. It never truly died out
though, with many of the emerging genres relying heavily on gothic principles
and conventions. Even now, gothic literature has survived prominent in pop
literature and architecture, with many of its “sub –genres” like horror being
used by the masses.
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