Gothic Literature

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The Monk Vs. The Italian

In 1796, Matthew Lewis published the novel ‘The Monk’. An early example of ‘masculine’, or horror gothic, it covers many shocking and depraved themes.
In 1797, Ann Radcliffe published her ‘feminine’, or terror gothic novel, ‘The Italian’. It is viewed as a reaction or response to Lewis’ novel. It discusses some similar themes, but in a milder way.
An article could compare and contrast these texts. Worth noting is the things they do the same, such as offering commentary on Catholicism or exploring issues of love and sexuality.
They also differ in several ways, from opposing treatments of women and the use of supernatural occurrences.
Overall, the article should conclude the ways in which Radcliffe has used the original to build her own story, and also where she has deliberately chosen to deviate from Lewis’ text. Potentially offer insight into how the two authors’ differing approaches reflect the society at the time. An in depth understanding of horror vs. terror gothic would be worthwhile in building a substantial argument.

  • I've only read The Monk and I found it quite shocking and entertaining. Great gothic novel. I would be interested in reading more about it and the comparison to another gothic book would be something quite compelling and thought-provoking. Looking forward to learning more about it. Don't forget to present these novels in the context of their time and to sketch out the wider landscape in literature in the 18th century. – Dani CouCou 3 years ago
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Gothic Literature and its Impact on Modern Day Horror

While gothic literature and horror are separate genres, the two share a connection in inducing similar emotions of fear and thus often overlap with each other. Explore both genres in relation to each other, such as the genres’ similarities and differences. How has earlier gothic literature novels influenced later works of horror?

Some gothic literature works that an be focused on is The Castle of Otranto, Frankenstein, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and The Mysteries of Udolpho. The popularity of Stephen King’s works in both literature and film in addition to the great amount of praise Netflix’s The Haunting of Hill House received can also be other points of interest for this topic.

  • I guess the focus of an article is how selected modern horror is connected, or has been influenced, by gothic literature. How can make it an interesting article. – Joseph Cernik 5 years ago
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  • Gothic Literature relies on horror and terror, as elements to evoke a supernatural environment in the setting. Horror is what contracts the soul, that the recipient feels dreaded by its presence, and terror expands the soul and awakens the faculties of imagination. I am paraphrasing from Ann Radcliff's "On the Supernatural in Poetry". You can refer to it if you wish to understand the workings and the distinction between horror and terror in gothic literature. I guess you can work your articles on these lines and find the influences in modern cinematic horror. I cannot really comment much as i did not watch The Haunting of Hill House – Azira101phale 5 years ago
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  • You have to trace the origins of Gothic horror novels and their influence on every horror film ever made back to The Turn of the Screw by Henry James. This novella is the social construct for almost all haunted house movies and how a house can possess its inhabitants. The Haunting of Hill House on Netflix took several plot lines and elements of Gothic horror from James horror novella. So, to conclude, one must study The Turn of the Screw if you really want to reveal the nexus between Gothic literature and the modern day horror film. – latracey 5 years ago
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