ENGL 4840 / ENGL 6840 Dr. W. B. Gerard
Devices of the Gothic
The following is a partial list of characteristic elements of Gothic literature. This list may be utilized for brief presentations as well as the formulization of theses for papers.
Themes
Deception/Disguise
Secrets
Myths/legends
The Sublime
Technology
Treasure
Scared vs. Profane
Twists on the usual (love, betrayal, vengeance, etc.)
Characters
Extreme emotional abilities/moral positions
Peculiarities
Class or gender representation (stereotyping and anti-stereotyping)
Extreme strength or weakness (physical, intellectual, spiritual, moral)
Settings
Structures (age, state of ruin, structural peculiarities, implied history)
Natural attributes (types of flora and fauna)
Sounds
The exotic
Chiaroscuro (emphasis on contrast between dark and light)
Supernatural
Ghosts
Fairies/elves
Magical ritual/power
Vampires and other varieties of cursed undead
Mythical beasts
