Gothic Tropes Flashcards
Setting
The physical location of the setting within Gothic literature mimics or influences characters’ emotions
e.g. an isolated house, a spooky castle, dense woods, a graveyard, or wild moors
A damsel in distress
A woman who suffers at the expense of a villain.
They carry feelings of sadness, oppression, and loneliness
(sometimes depicted as virginal - in most early Gothic novels)
The Supernatural
Something above nature
This can take many forms, including ghosts, vampires, witches, and other creatures.
The Sublime
An experience, which goes far beyond merely appreciating natural beauty.
Obscurity
An element of mystery such as darkness, fogginess and confusion
The Revenant
Something that comes back to haunt us e.g. ghosts, the dead, a sin
The Uncanny
Something strange or mysterious, especially in an unsettling way .
The uncanny takes place in a known space which becomes inhabited by something alien to it
Dreams
exploration of the human psyche and intense/hidden emotions.
Burdened Male Protagonist
Usually an aristocratic male character who is wealthy, entitled, and holds a lot of power at the expense of others.
darkly attractive and conflicted / isolated
Intense Emotions
[the direct result of the Gothic’s relationship to the Romantic literary movement]
a state of intense fear, anxiety, stress, etc.
Breaking Of Taboos
An unacceptable transgression that violates traditions and shared codes - e.g. acquiring forbidden knowledge and secrets
Transgression
An act that goes against a law or moral standards
Madness
A form of mental entrapment. In a way, the insane are trapped in their own mental universe, into which no one else can penetrate.
Romance
Many Gothic novels incorporate a romantic relationship between the protagonist and another character.
However, these relationships are often destined for doom and tragedy.
Omens
the form of curses, nightmares, and/or visions
