The Gothic Mode: History, Conventions, and Influence, Lecture notes of English

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The Gothic Mode

History and Conventions

Gothic Architecture

■Gothic Architecture was characteristic of religious buildings that date from the 11 th to the 16 th centuries, found in England and on the continent. ■One characteristic feature were the gargoyles that guarded the church from high above.

Historical Background

■In the Medieval Period large cathedrals were built in cities such as London and Paris. ■These impressive structures were often attached to an Monastry or an Abbey, connected by underground tunnels that permitted monks or nuns to pass freely between buildings without detection.

Historical Background

■In the 16 th century Henry VIII “dissolved”, that is, closed the monasteries, convents and abbeys. The Roman Catholic monks, nuns and some priests were evicted. ■Those who remained obedient to the King formed the Church of England and took charge of the cathedrals and churches.

Gothic Architecture cont…

Yet another characteristic architectural feature included the High Vaulted Ceilings.

Westminster Abbey

Who was Horace Walpole?

■Horace was the son of the British Prime Minister (Sir Robert Walpole) and later became the Fourth Earl of Orford. ■His house Strawberry Hill was restored in the Gothic style, containing all the characteristic elements.

Strawberry Hill House, Twickenham.

Panelled Galleries

Strawberry Hill Gallery

Indeed, over the last two hundred years the

Gothic Mode has influenced literature, film and

television. For example,

■The Rocky Horror Show ■The Addams Family ■The Munsters ■Batman Movies ■The Murder Mysteries of PD James ■Suspense Novels by Mary Stewart ■ Red Dragon^ by Thomas Harris (of Silence of the Lambs fame)

How does the Gothic Mode relate

to Frankenstein?

■It includes some elements of the traditional gothic novel (especially those employed by the Romantics) ■There are obvious links to Coleridge’s epic poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner ; the poem itself incorporates many characteristics of the Gothic Mode

The Setting of the Gothic Novel…

■Old, dark buildings in the Gothic style of architecture ■A gloomy cellar ■A moving stone slab ■Secret Passages ■False, sliding panels ■Winding Staircases

Characters in a Gothic Novel…

■An innocent heroine ■A villain ■A hero whose identity or integrity is doubted ■A servant with a dark secret ■A ghost or a sinister monk or some ‘other worldly’ creature