Overview:
This book delves into the fascinating history of supernatural fiction in English literature, focusing on the rise of the Gothic Romance and Tale of Terror during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It traces the evolution of the genre from its origins in Horace Walpole’s “Castle of Otranto” (1764), through the popular works of authors like Ann Radcliffe, Matthew Gregory Lewis, and William Godwin, to the final flourish of the Gothic in Charles Robert Maturin’s “Melmoth the Wanderer” (1820). The book also explores the influence of this genre on American literature, particularly through the works of authors like Nathaniel Hawthorne and Edgar Allan Poe.
The text analyzes the evolution of the Gothic genre, revealing how the focus shifted from a focus on “explained supernatural” occurrences to a more direct engagement with “terror” itself. It explores how the genre’s reliance on “properties” like castles, trapdoors, and ghostly apparitions transformed over time, becoming more sophisticated and psychologically driven. It also examines the development of the romantic villain, the impact of German literature on English Gothic, and the evolving portrayal of women and their roles in these novels.
Key findings:
- The Gothic genre evolved significantly, moving from a focus on “explained supernatural” to the exploration of pure “terror.”
- Authors borrowed and built upon each other’s works, creating a complex interplay of influence and innovation.
- The popularity of the genre peaked in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, but it continued to influence literature throughout the 19th century.
- The Gothic genre found a new life in American literature, particularly through the works of Hawthorne and Poe.
Learning:
- The evolution of Gothic Literature: The book provides a detailed analysis of how the Gothic genre transformed from its initial emphasis on “explained supernatural” to its later focus on “terror” and psychological exploration.
- Early Gothic novels relied on “properties” like castles, trapdoors, and apparitions, with the supernatural being ultimately explained by natural means.
- Later Gothic works focused on the power of terror itself, engaging more deeply with the psychological impact of fear and the darker aspects of human nature.
- Key Authors of the Gothic Romance: The book offers insights into the works and styles of significant authors of the Gothic genre:
- Horace Walpole: “Castle of Otranto” is considered the foundational work, introducing the concept of the Gothic romance.
- Ann Radcliffe: Known for her “novels of suspense,” Radcliffe’s works often featured carefully constructed plots and “explained supernatural” events, though later critics often found her explanations to be unconvincing.
- Matthew Gregory Lewis (“Monk”): Lewis’s works like “The Monk” embraced “terror” more directly, featuring gruesome and explicitly violent scenes, and drawing heavily from German literature.
- William Godwin: Godwin incorporated political and philosophical themes into his Gothic novels, such as “Caleb Williams,” which explored themes of social injustice and the dangers of power.
- Charles Robert Maturin: Maturin’s “Melmoth the Wanderer” is considered the pinnacle of the Gothic genre, offering a deep psychological exploration of human depravity and the consequences of supernatural bargains.
- American Gothic: The book sheds light on the influence of the Gothic genre on American literature.
- Nathaniel Hawthorne: Hawthorne’s works, like “The Scarlet Letter” and “The House of the Seven Gables,” explored themes of sin, guilt, and the darker aspects of human nature, though his approach was more subdued and introspective than the overt sensationalism of Lewis or Maturin.
- Edgar Allan Poe: Poe’s tales of terror, like “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Fall of the House of Usher,” and “The Pit and the Pendulum,” were known for their intensity, their focus on psychological horror, and their innovative use of language.
- The Gothic Villain: The book examines the evolution of the Gothic villain, highlighting how the archetype transitioned from the tyrannical lord or vengeful ghost to a more complex and psychologically driven figure:
- The early Gothic villains were often characterized by their power and ruthlessness, while later Gothic villains were more nuanced and often presented as victims of their own passions or circumstances.
- The Impact of German Literature on English Gothic: The book explains how German literature played a significant role in influencing the development of the Gothic genre in England:
- Authors like Heinse, Tieck, and Schiller explored dark themes and supernatural elements, inspiring English Gothic authors like Lewis and Maturin to embrace greater violence, psychological exploration, and the power of “terror.”
- The Role of Women in Gothic Literature: The book demonstrates how the portrayal of women in Gothic novels changed over time, moving from the helpless and passive heroine to the more active and complex female characters:
- Early Gothic heroines were often presented as fragile and vulnerable, relying on the intervention of male heroes.
- Later Gothic novels, particularly those written by women, featured stronger and more independent female characters who were capable of agency and resistance.
Historical context:
The rise of the Gothic Romance and Tale of Terror coincided with a period of social and intellectual upheaval in England and Europe. The Enlightenment’s emphasis on reason and logic was challenged by a renewed interest in the supernatural, the mysterious, and the dark side of human nature. The French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars further contributed to a sense of unease and uncertainty, making the Gothic genre a powerful expression of these anxieties.
Facts:
- “The Castle of Otranto” (1764) by Horace Walpole: This novel is widely considered the foundational work of the Gothic Romance genre, sparking a wave of similar novels.
- The term “Gothic” was initially used as a term of reproach: In the early 18th century, “Gothic” architecture and literature were often seen as barbaric and unrefined.
- The Gothic castle was a central element of the genre: These castles were often described as ancient, decaying, and full of secret passages and hidden chambers, creating an atmosphere of mystery and suspense.
- Ann Radcliffe’s “The Mysteries of Udolpho” (1794) was a massive success: It set the standard for the Gothic romance, popularizing the “explained supernatural” and emphasizing suspense and psychological intrigue.
- Matthew Gregory Lewis’s “The Monk” (1795) was considered scandalous for its time: Its explicitly violent scenes and explicit exploration of sexual themes shocked and disturbed readers.
- William Godwin’s “Caleb Williams” (1794) used the Gothic form to explore political themes: Godwin’s novel addressed issues of social justice, class inequality, and the corruption of power.
- Charles Robert Maturin’s “Melmoth the Wanderer” (1820) marked the culmination of the Gothic genre: The novel is known for its psychological intensity, its complex plot, and its exploration of the darker aspects of human nature.
- Nathaniel Hawthorne is considered a key figure in American Gothic literature: His novels, like “The Scarlet Letter,” explored themes of sin, guilt, and the darker aspects of the human condition.
- Edgar Allan Poe’s tales of terror are known for their psychological intensity: He focused on exploring the dark side of human nature, often creating stories of madness, violence, and the supernatural.
- The Gothic genre was often used to explore the dangers of unchecked ambition and the corruption of power: The novels often featured villains who were driven by greed, lust, or a lust for power, and who used their wealth or position to exploit and harm others.
- The “explained supernatural” was a key element of the genre in its early stages: Many Gothic novels featured events that appeared supernatural, but were ultimately explained by rational means.
- The Gothic genre often featured strong and independent female characters: Though early heroines were often passive, later Gothic novels featured women who were more capable of agency and resistance.
- The popularity of Gothic literature declined in the 19th century: The genre’s obsession with “horror” became increasingly excessive and repetitive, leading to a decline in its popularity.
Statistics:
- 500 copies of “The Castle of Otranto” were sold out in two months: This demonstrates the immediate popularity of Walpole’s novel and the eagerness of readers to embrace the Gothic genre.
- Mrs. Radcliffe received £500 for “The Mysteries of Udolpho” and £800 for “The Italian”: This reflects the commercial success of the Gothic romance during its peak popularity.
- Jane Austen received only £10 for the manuscript of “Northanger Abbey”: This suggests the publisher’s reluctance to embrace a work that satirized the genre he was promoting.
- Mary Shelley was only nineteen years old when she wrote “Frankenstein”: Her remarkable talent and the novel’s success, even at such a young age, highlight the power of her imagination.
- “Melmoth the Wanderer” was considered a masterpiece of the Gothic genre: Maturin’s novel’s continued impact on literature, as evidenced by Balzac’s and Baudelaire’s interest, demonstrates its enduring power.
Terms:
- Gothic Romance: A genre of fiction that emerged in the late 18th century, characterized by elements of mystery, suspense, and the supernatural.
- Tale of Terror: A subgenre of Gothic romance that emphasized the power of “terror” itself, often exploring the darker aspects of human nature and psychological horror.
- “Explained supernatural”: A common trope in early Gothic literature, where events that appear supernatural are ultimately explained by natural means.
- Romantic Villain: The archetypal villain of the Gothic genre, often characterized by ambition, ruthlessness, and a fascination with the dark side of human nature.
- “Properties”: Common elements of the Gothic genre, such as castles, secret passages, and ghostly apparitions.
- Ventriloquist: A person who can manipulate their voice to make it appear as though it is coming from a different location.
- Somnambulist: A person who walks or performs other actions while asleep.
- Mesmerism: A practice based on the belief that a person’s thoughts and actions can be controlled by the use of magnetic forces.
- Intelligences: In Lytton’s works, these are supernatural beings that exist in the air and influence human affairs.
- Dweller of the Threshold: A malevolent supernatural entity in Lytton’s works, representing the dark and destructive forces of the universe.
Examples:
- “Castle of Otranto” by Horace Walpole: This novel features a giant helmet that crushes the hero, a walking portrait of a previous lord, and a “skeleton in a hermit’s cowl,” all serving to create an atmosphere of supernatural terror.
- “The Mysteries of Udolpho” by Ann Radcliffe: Emily, the heroine, is trapped in a mysterious castle, haunted by strange noises and the “Black Veil,” which is ultimately revealed to conceal a waxen image.
- “The Monk” by Matthew Gregory Lewis: The novel depicts a monk, Ambrosio, who succumbs to temptation, committing horrific crimes, including the torture and attempted murder of a young woman, Agnes.
- “Caleb Williams” by William Godwin: The novel features a virtuous gentleman, Falkland, who is driven to murder by the machinations of a cruel squire and then relentlessly pursued by his innocent but curious secretary, Caleb Williams.
- “Melmoth the Wanderer” by Charles Robert Maturin: The novel tells the story of a man who has sold his soul for eternal life, and who continually seeks to pass his curse onto others.
- “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne: Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale, the lovers who bear the “scarlet letter” of their sin, are haunted by the consequences of their transgression and the judgment of their Puritan community.
- “The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allan Poe: The story revolves around Roderick Usher, a man who is haunted by the decaying legacy of his family and the looming threat of madness and death.
- “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley: A brilliant scientist, Victor Frankenstein, creates a monstrous being, but is horrified by his creation and fears its destructive potential.
- “The Haunted and the Haunters” by Bulwer Lytton: A man is tormented by ghostly apparitions in a seemingly haunted house, only to discover that the source of the evil is a living being who has prolonged his own existence through the use of magical powers.
- “A Strange Story” by Bulwer Lytton: This complex novel revolves around Margrave, a man who has gained eternal life, and his attempts to manipulate the lives of others, particularly the young doctor Fenwick and his beloved Lilian Ashleigh, a clairvoyant.
Conclusion:
This text provides a comprehensive and insightful journey through the evolution of the Gothic Romance and Tale of Terror, highlighting the key authors, themes, and innovations that shaped the genre. It demonstrates how the Gothic genre responded to social and intellectual trends, reflecting the anxieties and fascinations of its time. From the early Gothic novels that focused on “explained supernatural” events to the more profound and psychologically driven works of later authors, the genre explored the darker aspects of human nature, the allure of the mysterious, and the power of fear itself. While the Gothic romance may have lost its initial popularity, its influence continues to be felt in modern literature, where themes of the supernatural, the macabre, and the psychological exploration of human darkness continue to captivate readers.