Gothic Horror as a Genre

Sinister                                  Supernatural                                   Horror

Key Motifs of Gothic Horror

• Strange Places
• Clashing time periods
• Power & constraints
• Sexual Power
• The Uncanny
• The Sublime
• Crisis
• Terror & Wonder

This video explores the aspects that make the gothic horror recognisable and distinctive from other genres of literature. The Gothic is a concept that will build a relationship from the past with the present i.e ghosts from different times, the uncanny (the past visiting the future) and the overwhelming sublime. It also explores the power of women in the 19th century as sexuality was portrayed in a more perverse and new way. Because of this, authors often did not claim their work or would change the origins of the novel. 

Professor of English, David Punter describes the importance of gothic settings in this genre. Castles, monasteries and labyrinths are most common in these types of novels. Having a strong religious theme and a threat of being trapped are themes that are often featured in gothic books and are reflected in the surroundings of the characters. The buildings the characters live in are memories of the past forcing them the relive whatever is haunting them. There is also a psychological element of gothic settings that is creates a fear of being locked up in ourselves as the surroundings encapsulate the horrific memories.

In our lecture with Kat, I learnt of the Victorian mourning traditions. Curtains would be drawn, clocks were stopped at the time of death, mirrors were covered to stop the spirit being trapped, death masks were produced and houses were filled with mementos of the deceased.

How Does Miss Havisham Fit Into The Gothic?

This research into the Gothic Horror genre helps me understand how my chosen novel Great Expectations fits into the time and how my character fits into the horror aspect. Miss Havisham spends her life sustaining a relationship between the past and present by refusing to move on from her abandonment. She almost becomes a ghost of her own past by dressing in all white and staying in her decrepit house for the rest of her life. It also seems as though she is constantly mourning the 'loss' of her fiance by having all her clocks stopped at the time of her wedding. These gothic and victorian ideas that Miss Havisham encapsulates will all be interesting things to incorporate into her makeup design. Also, Satis House is a constant reminder to Miss Havisham to her past and what could've been, so this psychological torment would play on her mind and take an effect on her appearance further.