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Gothic Fiction
This article or section needs expansion. |
| Tropes and genres | |
|---|---|
| Synonym(s) | Gothic horror, Gothic Novel |
| Related tropes/genres | Horror |
| See also | Romance |
| Related articles on Fanlore. | |
Also called Gothic Horror (especially in the twentieth century), Gothic fiction is a literary aesthetics and its name refers to the gothic architecture of the European Middle Ages that was common to the first scenarios in Gothic novels.
Such fiction is characterized by an environment of fear, threat of supernatural events and the intrusion of the past in the present.[1][2] Pastic reminders of the past, such as ruined buildings that serve as proof of a previously prosperous world that is decaying in the present are the main part of the scenarios.[3] The characteristic scenarios of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries include castles, religious buildings such as monasteries and convents and crypts. The atmosphere is typically claustrophobic and the common elements of the plot include vindictive persecution, prison and murder.[1] The representation of horrible events in gothic fiction usually serves as a metaphorical expression of psychological or social conflicts.[2]
Even though they started in Europe, different countries on other continents also produced gothic works, playing in themes such as the suffering of the population after colonization and the ills imposed on society after that. An example of this difference in European Gothic fiction and Latin American Gothic fiction made Fantastic Realism emerge.
Examples of Gothic Fandoms
- Carmilla
- Castlevania
- Crimson Peak
- Dark Shadows
- Dracula (novel)
- Dracula (films)
- Jane Eyre
- The Hunchback of Notre-Dame
- Phantom of the Opera
- Rebecca
- Sleepy Hollow
- The Vampire Chronicles
- Wuthering Heights
Fandom
Conventions
- World Fantasy Convention - "an annual gathering and reunion of professionals, collectors, and others interested in the field of light and dark fantasy art and literature." The 1994 convention's theme was "Obsessions in Fantasy and Gothic Horror", but various horror tropes, including Gothic literature, are covered by the con in general.
Fan Clubs
- The Count Dracula Society, for the "the purpose of serious study of horror films and gothic literature". (1962-1972)
- The Dracula Society - British fan club dedicated to Gothic literature and cinema. (1973-ongoing)
Challenges
Fanworks
Example Fics
- Shadows by Alice Hooker (1995)
- The Fall of the House of Sheppard by saffronhouse (Stargate Atlantis) (2008)
- Ghosts in Amber, Archived version, a frostiron Crimson Peak AU by fullofleaves (2016)
Example Zines
- Starwyck by Doreen DaBinett, Teresa Hewitt, Jane Jones, Sara S. Reynolds (aka Fiona James), Martin Sherrif, and Emily Wallace. (a parody of Gaywyck in particular,[4][5][6] and features Kirk as the sensitive, clumsy librarian who comes to work for Spock, the dark, brooding master of Starwyck.) (1980s)
- Falconhurst by Jane of Australia (The Professionals) (1989)
- Flesh and Steel by Jane of Australia (The Professionals) (1994)
- The Night of the Voluptuous Vampire by Joan Condell (from The Wild Wild Fanzine) (Wild Wild West) (1995)
- Oh, Cruel Fate! (2017)
Gallery
Crimson Peak by AnFirsova (2019)
Meta
- The Vulcan Love Story, or, Being in Pon Farr Means Never Having to Say You're Sorry by Doris Beetem (1971)
Archives & Resources
References
- ^ Jump up to: a b Birch, Dinah, ed. (2009). The Oxford Companion to English Literature (7th ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780191735066.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Hogle, Jerrold E., ed. (2002-08-29). "Introduction". The Cambridge Companion to Gothic Fiction. Cambridge Companions to Literature (1 ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 1–20. doi:10.1017/ccol0521791243. ISBN 978-0-521-79124-3.
- ^ De Vore, David. "The Gothic Novel". Archived from the original on 2011-03-13.
The setting is greatly influential in Gothic novels. It not only evokes the atmosphere of horror and dread, but also portrays the deterioration of its world. The decaying, ruined scenery implies that at one time there was a thriving world. At one time the abbey, castle, or landscape was something treasured and appreciated. Now, all that lasts is the decaying shell of a once thriving dwelling.
- ^ "GAYWYCK by Vincent Virga. Robert White is only 17 when he goes to Gaywyck to catalog its vast libraries. There he meets Donough Gaylord, Master of Gaywyck. Soon both are plunged into a web of love, mystery, intrigue, and vengeance colder than the grave. Another "hard to put down"-er. The first gay gothic love story written!" -- from a blurb (fan-written?) in Not Tonight Spock! #3
- ^ Gaywyck at the author's webpage
- ^ Virga, Vincent (1980). Gaywyck. Alyson Books. ISBN 978-1-55583-584-2.
This page uses content originally from Wikipedia's Gothic Fiction page; Wikipedia content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 4.0. (view page authors).
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