Mean As Custard (calico_pye) wrote,
Mean As Custard
calico_pye

How to tell you're reading a gothic novel – in pictures

When Horace Walpole published his 'gothic story' The Castle of Otranto, he launched a literary movement which has sired monsters, unleashed lightning and put damsels in distress for 250 years. A horde of sub-genres has followed, from southern gothic to gothic SF, but are some novels more gothic than others? We return to the genre's roots in the 18th century for this definitive guide.


Gothic novels: The villain is a murderous tyrant





Gothic novels: The heroine is pious

Gothic novels: It's set in a spooky castle

Gothic novels: There is (probably) a ghost or monster

Gothic novels: It's set in the olden days

Gothic novels: It takes place in foreign parts

Gothic novels: The weather is always awful

Gothic novels: Anyone who isn't a white, middle-class Protestant is frightening

Gothic novels: The laws of the land are brazenly flouted

Gothic novels: People talk funny

Tags: fda english y1
Subscribe

  • The End Of Things

    "The chief beauty about time is that you cannot waste it in advance. The next year, the next day, the next hour are lying ready for you,…

  • End of the Year Show - Question 18

    18. What artist or band do you always recommend when someone asks for a music recommendation? I am going to show my age a tad here, but…

  • Cosmic Fire Gypsy

    Really love this - Frenchy = my spirit animal

  • Post a new comment

    Error

    switch
    default userpic

    Your reply will be screened

    Your IP address will be recorded 

    When you submit the form an invisible reCAPTCHA check will be performed.
    You must follow the Privacy Policy and Google Terms of use.
    Help
  • 0 comments