Novel Lec 3

Page 2: Gothicism and the Victorian Novel

Gothic literature emerged from the Romantic literary movement in the 18th century
Characterized by ominous and scenic settings, shocking storytelling techniques, and a general air of mysticism, horror, and dread
Romanticism celebrated nature, the common man, individual experience, women, and isolation and melancholy

Gothic novels emphasize deep emotion, pleasure and fright, death and romance
Distinguished by gloomy picturesque surroundings and frightening macabre stories
Known for mystery, intrigue, and the supernatural elements like ghosts and vampires

Gothic novels have a tone designed to inspire fear and a mood of mystery, darkness, oppression, terror, and impending doom
Goal is to amuse readers and encourage self-improvement
Similarities between Dark Romanticism and Gothicism include lonely settings, ghosts or spirits, usage of symbols, and fatal or mental illness as the cause of death

Action takes place in and around an old castle, sometimes abandoned or occupied
Castle often contains secret passages, trap doors, hidden rooms, dark or hidden staircases, and possibly ruined sections
Castle may be near or connected to caves, adding to the haunting flavor

Works are pervaded by a threatening feeling, enhanced by the unknown
Plots often built around a mystery, such as unknown parentage or a disappearance
Writers use metaphors and imagery (ghosts, vampires) to create the atmosphere

Characters may have disturbing dream visions or see phenomena as portents of coming events
For example, a falling statue may portend someone's death

Dramatic, incredible, and illogical events occur, such as ghosts or inanimate objects coming to life
Events may have a natural or supernatural explanation

Female characters often face events that leave them fainting, terrified, screaming, or sobbing
Lonely, pensive, and oppressed heroine is often the central figure
Women often abandoned, left alone, and have no protector

Metonymy is used to represent doom and gloom, such as rain representing sorrow
Examples include wind, rain, doors grating, eerie sounds, footsteps, clanking chains, lights in abandoned rooms, gusts of wind, characters trapped, doors slamming, ruins of buildings, baying of distant dogs, thunder and lightning, crazed laughter

Horace Walpole is credited with virtually inventing the gothic novel
His novel, The Castle of Otranto, has all the ingredients of the genre
Walpole's work has influenced various forms of literature and filmmaking
The term "Gothic" was first used to describe a book in the subtitle of Walpole's novel

Manfred, the prince of Otranto, desires to secure the castle for his descendants
Conrad, Manfred's son, is crushed to death by an enormous helmet on his wedding day
Other characters include Hippolita (Manfred's wife), Matilda (Conrad's sister), Isabella (Conrad's fiancee), Theodore (lost son of Friar Jerome), and Friar Jerome

Manfred wants his son to succeed to the throne and intends to marry him to Isabella
Conrad dies at the age of 15, leading to the main theme of inheritance
Manfred faces a mysterious curse and tries to secure the castle for his descendants

Manfred wants Conrad to marry Isabella to establish his family's rule over Otranto.
- He fears that an old prophecy about the end of his reign will come true.
- The prophecy states that the castle and lordship of Otranto will pass from the present family when the real owner becomes too large to inhabit it.
Manfred searches the entire castle for Isabella to find a new heir with a legitimate claim to the throne after Conrad dies.

Manfred is the current ruler of the city and the grandson of the man who seized control of Otranto.
He is the father of Matilda and Conrad and the husband of Hippolita.
Manfred prioritizes his lust for power and Isabella over faith or morals.
He is easily enraged, manipulative, and occasionally illogical.
The story depicts Manfred and his entire family line as unfit for rule due to his overwhelming desire for power.

Despite being married to Hippolita and having Isabella as his ward, Manfred pursues a divorce and almost convinces Isabella's father, Frederic, to consent to their marriage.
Frederic falls in love with Manfred's daughter, Matilda, and both men agree to marry each other's daughters.
Manfred unintentionally kills his own daughter, Matilda, while attempting to kill Isabella after his plans are twisted.
A giant ghostly form appears, declares the prophecy fulfilled, and shatters the castle walls.
Manfred experiences a dramatic personal transformation, expressing regret, admitting he is not the legitimate ruler of Otranto, and retiring to a convent as a monk.

The story is set in an old and mysterious castle, creating an air of mystery and suspense.
Omens, the supernatural, high emotion, and women in peril are prominent elements.
Women are threatened by a tyrannical male.
Metaphors of gloom and terror, as well as gothic vocabulary, contribute to the gothic atmosphere of the novel.
The use of vocabulary related to mystery, fear, surprise, haste, anger, and darkness sets the gothic tone