Gothic horror - Free Essay Examples and Topic Ideas

In many short stories, the Gothic image is made by the setting of the stories and the characters. The story “The Fall of the House of Usher”, which is written by Edgar Allan Poe, is considered a Gothic story because of the mysterious house and characters. Same goes for the short story “The Monkey's Paw” by W. W. Jacobs, which is essentially a horror chalked full of supernatural imagery and dark imagery. Strong similarities and differences can be seen between…

“The Fall of the House of Usher” is one of the many short stories written by Edgar Allan Poe, first published the year 1839. This short story belongs to the gothic genre and handles various topics such as illness, family, loneliness, death, weaknesses... Nevertheless, there is a theme in the tale which is not directly mentioned or addressed but insinuated: this is the topic of incest. The purpose of this essay will be to explore the underlying theme of incest…

The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe goes to a great extent to explore transcendental beliefs and related philosophy. Traditional transcendental philosophy ideally hints at an elevation upwards into unity and oneness with heaven. From the introduction, however, the reader is readily invited to the symbolism, the allusions and dark overtones that hint at the ordeals of death, transformation and a potential afterlife. The opening paragraphs provide subtle hints about reversed transcendental hierarchy in their description…

This was popular amongst Gothic authors as it gave the villains frightening amounts of power which was often put to evil usage, "her reputation was one of evil even in those days." Vampires, ghosts, phantoms and wolves were popular in the genre and Sarah, being a vampire, is very conventional. The superstition read that she was also a witch, "she was a witch or were-woman." Gothic horror took place around the time when witches were burnt at the stake and…

Introduction 'Frankenstein' is a classic example of dark gothic horror. The novel has great depth and the multitudes of subtly hidden messages woven intricately into the storyline are confirmation of Mary Shelley's brilliance. She raises several important issues within the novel, ranging from the dangers of ambition and obsession, to the cruel way that society judges and condemns people that do not fit in. The morality of science is also discussed, a particularly sensitive topic in today's world of fast…

" The breakdown of boundaries and exploration of what is forbidden is demonstrated by Frankenstein's ambition to create life. This also shows us how Robert Walton's isolation is self imposed and shows us how ambition represses you. The breakdown of boundaries and exploration of what is forbidden is revealed by Frankenstein's aspiration to create life. "Life and death appeared to be my ideal bounds, which I should first break through, and pour a torrent of light into our dark world.…

'Frankenstein,' penned during an era enraptured by the allure of gothic horror, found a receptive audience, particularly among women. Engaging in discussions about gothic horror was not merely a pastime; it became a societal norm where unconventional views found acceptance. Mary Shelley, the ingenious author, masterfully wove a narrative interlaced with mystery and horror, echoing the essential elements of the gothic horror genre prevalent during her time. 'Frankenstein' delves into a myriad of characters embodying monstrous, alien, and exile-like qualities,…

I walked cautiously up towards the grand old house, where I read the name aloud 'Hollow Manor.' It had the look of a gothic church with the arched stained glass windows. The doors and windows reminded me of the ancient gothic houses that were so popular in London at the moment. I breathed in deeply smelling wet oak wood reminding me of winter fires and roasting chestnuts. The area was in an old abandoned town by the forest and the…

To understand how horror is presented within a gothic horror novel we must first understand the aim of such, its purpose, it should “speak to the mysterious fears of our nature, and awaken thrilling horror- one to make the reader dread to turn around.” ‘Frankenstein’ is one of the definitive novels of the Gothic horror of the 18th century. While many of this genre focused on ghosts, ghouls and the paranormal, Mary Shelley focuses on the paranormal, the impossible, and…

Gothic horror, a literary genre rooted in the eerie and mysterious, emerged as a compelling form of romantic horror fiction in 18th-century England. Originating from the architectural style of the Middle Ages, the term 'gothic' evolved to encapsulate tales that ignited irrational fear. This genre became immensely popular, weaving narratives filled with supernatural elements, macabre settings, and characters caught in a web of darkness and terror. In this exploration of 19th-century gothic horror, we delve into three captivating stories: 'The…

The Gothic Horror novel is a literary genre which began to flourish in Britain during the 18th century. It is a type of novel that deals with events that generally question the boundaries that separate the socially acceptable from the unacceptable, often exploring the themes of good and evil along the way. Prominent features of this genre are typically desolate or remote settings, with violent, mysterious and macabre incidents taking place. The use of such devices usually leads to an…