my introduction to gothic literature story summary

My Introduction to Gothic Literature: A Story Summary

The Gothic genre has been constructed and contested throughout history, particularly in relation to gender, class, race, and sexuality. This module delves into the literary, cultural, and political context of the Gothic, exploring its evolution and significance beyond an eighteenth-century timeframe.

Through a range of theoretical tools and critical literature, students will gain an understanding of key texts that have shaped the genre. These include Horace Walpole's The Castle of Otranto (1764), Edmund Burke's A Philosophical Enquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful (1757), Thomas Gray's Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard (1751), Ann Radcliffe's The Mysteries of Udolpho (1794), Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey (1817), and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus (1818).

The Gothic genre is characterized by elements such as danger, romance, mystery, violence, and fearful specters, often set in castles or other eerie locations. The module will explore how these themes have been used to challenge philosophers and aesthetic thinkers, and what we can learn from parodies and satires of the genre.

One of the key questions this module seeks to answer is why Gothic began in the eighteenth century. Was it a response to the tumultuous times, or did it emerge as a way to process the darker aspects of human nature? The course will also investigate what makes the Gothic so compelling and fascinating, and whether there is such a thing as 'Female Gothic.'

Through close reading, discussion, and writing, students will develop their literary critical skills and gain a deeper understanding of the genre. By exploring the historical context, significance, and visual and material contexts of these key texts, students will be able to engage with theoretical frameworks and critically evaluate the role of the Gothic in shaping our understanding of literature and culture.

In summary, this module provides an introduction to the Gothic genre, exploring its literary, cultural, and political history through a selection of influential texts. By examining the ways in which the Gothic has been constructed and contested over time, students will gain a nuanced understanding of this powerful and enduring genre.

My introduction to gothic literature story summary