The Gothic and the Supernatural

The Gothic and the SupernaturalA Thematic Approach to Selected Literary WorksNOTE: This presentation owes most of its ideas, content, notes and images to Prof. Shari Hodges and her course on Gothic Literature offered by the English Department, University of Mississippi; and to Franz Potters site on Gothic Literature: http://members.aol.com/franzpoet/intro.html1This course will employ a thematic approach to the study of British literature. The works to be examined reflect many themes and can be viewed from many perspectives, such as, historical, biographical, political, aesthetic, etc., but we will focus on the theme of the supernatural. Our study will consider the symbolic interactions between the natural and supernatural worlds in the works we will discuss. How do these works explore and define human nature through reference to the supernatural?

Gothic and Supernatural Motifs

Gothic LiteratureDeveloped as a genre in 18th century

The Bleeding Nun

3Supernatural motifs appear throughout literature, but are most prominent in the literary genre labeled Gothic, which developed in the late 18th century.

Gothic LiteratureDeveloped as a genre in 18th century Is devoted to tales of horror, the darker, supernatural forcesEnglish Gothic novel origin: Horace Walpoles The Castle of Otranto (1764)

4Gothic literary works are devoted to stories of horror, the fantastic, and the darker supernatural forces. The English Gothic novel originated with the publication of Horace Walpoles The Castle of Otranto (1764), which Walpole called a Gothic story. Three of the novels for this class, Frankenstein, Wuthering Heights, and Dracula, belong specifically to the Gothic genre, but Gothic or supernatural motifs are important in all the works well read.

Though the Gothic period began to fade at the birth of the Age of Reason, after lasting for approximately 70 years [the last published work of the explicitly Gothic genre appeared in 1834 Charles Maturins Melmoth the Wanderer], it influenced many of the emerging genres. Youll note the unique portrayal of the alluring antagonist with evil characteristics that appeal to our sense of awe, the melodramatic aspects of romance, or the motif of a persecuted maiden forced apart from a true love. Gothic LiteratureDerives its name from similarities to medieval Gothic architectureAlso derives name from a barbaric Germanic tribe, the Goths

5Gothic literature derives its name from its similarities to the Gothic medieval cathedrals, which feature a majestic, unrestrained architectural style with often savage or grotesque ornamentation (the word "Gothic" derives from "Goth," the name of one of the barbaric Germanic tribes that invaded the Roman Empire).

Gothic ArchitectureMajestic, unrestrained architectural styleProfusion of savage, often grotesque ornamentation6

Gothic ArchitectureVaulting arches

7The vaulting arches and spires of Gothic cathedrals reach wildly to the sky as if the builders were trying to grasp the heavens

Gothic ArchitectureVaulting arches

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Gothic ArchitectureMore vaulting arches9

Gothic ArchitectureVaulting archesSpires reaching to the heavens10

Gothic ArchitectureVaulting archesSpires reaching to the heavens11The architecture evokes the sense of humanitys division between a finite, physical identity and the often terrifying and bizarre forces of the infinite

Gothic ArchitectureVaulting archesSpires reaching to the heavensWild carvings depicting humanity in conflict with supernatural forces12The cathedrals are covered with a profusion of wild carvings depicting humanity in conflict with supernatural forcesdemons, angels, gargoyles, and monsters

Gothic ArchitectureVaulting archesSpires reaching to the heavensWild carvings depicting humanity in conflict with supernatural forcesAdam and Eve with the serpent

13Image: Adam and Eve with serpentGothic ArchitectureWild carvings depicting humanity in conflict with supernatural forces

Saints, Notre Dame, Paris

14Carved image 1: Saints of Notre Dame, ParisThe Gothic aesthetic also embodies an ambition to transcend earthly human limitations and reach the divine.

Wild carvings depicting humanity in conflict with supernatural forces

Saints, Notre Dame, Paris

Gothic Architecture15Carved image 2: Saints of Notre Dame, Paris

Gothic ArchitectureWild carvings depicting humanity in conflict with supernatural forces

Gargoyles, Notre Dame, Paris

16Carved image 1: Gargoyles of Notre Dame, Paris

Gothic ArchitectureWild carvings depicting humanity in conflict with supernatural forces

17Carved image 3: God knows where, rooftop

Gothic ArchitectureWild carvings depicting humanity in conflict with supernatural forces

18Carved image 4: more carvings. Phew!

Gothic Literary Motifs

19A motif is a repeated theme, image, or literary device. Like Gothic architecture, Gothic literature focuses on humanitys fascination with the grotesque, the unknown, and the frightening, inexplicable aspects of the universe and the human soul. The Gothic "relates the individual to the infinite universe" (Varma 16) and creates horror by portraying human individuals in confrontation with the overwhelming, mysterious, terrifying forces found in the cosmos and within themselves. Gothic literature pictures the human condition as an ambiguous mixture of good and evil powers that cannot be understood completely by human reason. Thus, the Gothic perspective conceives of the human condition as a paradox, a dilemma of dualityhumans are divided in the conflict between opposing forces in the world and in themselves. The Gothic themes of human natures depravity, the struggle between good and evil in the human soul, and the existence of unexplainable elements in humanity and the cosmos, are prominent themes in the works we will study. Look for these common supernatural/Gothic motifs in these works.

Work cited: Devendra P. Varma, The Gothic Flame

The Doppelganger A second self or alternate identityRepresents opposing forces in human natureSuggests humans have a double nature

Dracula and Jonathan in front of the mirror 20The Double or Doppelganger (German for "double-goer"): defined by Frederick S. Frank as "a second self or alternate identity, sometimes, but not always, a physical twin. The Doppelganger in demonic form can be a reciprocal or lower bestial self or a Mr. Hyde. Gothic doppelgangers often haunt and threaten the rational psyche of the victim to whom they become attached" (435).The double motif involves a comparison or contrast between two characters or sets of characters within a work to represent opposing forces in human nature. For example, Dr. Jekyll and his evil double Mr. Hyde are contrasted to represent the battle between the rational, intellectual self (Jekyll) and the irrational, bestial self (Hyde). The double motif suggests that humans are burdened with a dual nature, a soul forever divided.Double characters are often paired in common relationships, such as twins, siblings, husband/wife, parent/child, hero/villain, creator/creature, etc.Work cited: Frank, Frederick S. The First Gothics: A Critical Guide to the English Gothic Novel. New York: Garland Publishing, 1987

The Faust Motif: Forbidden Knowledge or PowerHero attempts to control supernatural powersAmbition leads to fallDr. Faustus makes a deal with the Devil

21Forbidden Knowledge or Power/ Faust Motif: forbidden knowledge/power is often the Gothic protagonists goal. The Gothic "hero" questions the universes ambiguous nature and tries to comprehend and control those supernatural powers that mortals cannot understand. He tries to overcome human limitations and make himself into a "god." This ambition usually leads to the heros "fall" or destruction; however, Gothic tales of ambition sometimes paradoxically evoke our admiration because they picture individuals with the courage to defy fate and cosmic forces in an attempt to transcend the mundane to the eternal and sublime.Monster/ Satanic Hero/ Fallen Man Fallen Hero becomes a MonsterOr, confronts a monster who is his doubleLike Satan, he defies the rules of Gods universeFrankensteins Monster

22Monster/Satanic Hero/Fallen Man: the courageous search for forbidden knowledge or power always leads the hero to a fall, a corruption, or destruction, such as Satans or Adams fall. Consequently, the hero in Gothic literature is often a "villain." The hero is isolated from others by his fall and either becomes a monster or confronts a monster who is his double. He becomes a "Satanic hero" if, like Satan, he has courageously defied the rules of Gods universe and has tried to transform himself into a god. Note: the mad scientist, who tries to transcend human limitations through science, is a type of Satanic hero that is popular in Gothic literature (examples include Dr. Jekyll and Frankenstein).

Demons/ Devils/ Witches/ Angels Represent conflicting forces in the human soulHero may be tempted by evil spiritsOr, redeemed by good spiritsThe Three Weird Sisters in Macbeth

23Demons/Devils/Witches/Spirits/Angels: often symbolize conflicting forces within the human soul. The hero may be tempted by evil spirits or redeemed by good spirits that symbolize the heros own potential for evil or good

Magic Talismans Symbolize supernatural forcesOr, forces in the heros personalityKing Arthurs Sword Excalibur

24Magic Talismans/Cursed or Blessed Objects/Holy Relics: magic talismans may represent supernatural forces or forces within the heros personality (e.g., King Arthurs magic sword Excalibur symbolizes the Kings power and goodness; its a symbol of order and civilization). Cursed and blessed objects can also act symbols of human duality.

Dreams / Visions Reveal hidden truths of the unconscious mindDracula visits his victim as she sleeps

25Dreams/Visions: terrible truths are often revealed to characters through dreams or visions. The hidden knowledge of the universe and of human nature emerges through dreams because, when the person sleeps, reason sleeps, and the supernatural, unreasonable world can break through. Dreams in Gothic literature express the dark, unconscious depths of the psyche that are repressed by reasontruths that are too terrible to be comprehended by the conscious mind.

Signs / Omens Reveal intention of cosmic forcesOften represent psychological or spiritual conflict

26Signs/Omens: reveal the intervention of cosmic forces and often represent psychological or spiritual conflict (e.g., flashes of lightning and violent storms might parallel some turmoil within a characters mind)

Graveyards / Churches / RuinsSuggest human confrontation with infinite forcesWhitby churchyard from Dracula

27Graveyards/Churches/Ruins: such settings suggest human confrontation with infinite forces (death, spirits, time, etc.).

Haunted Castle or HouseReflects Heros Psychological character

28Haunted Castle/House: the heros castle or home can reflect the heros psychological character. Hidden chambers, subterranean vaults, twisting corridors, and secret passages can symbolize the hidden depths of the mind, unknown aspects of the psyche that are beyond rational control

Multiple NarrativeSeries of secret manuscripts or multiple talesNarrative spirals inward to hidden truthNarrator compelled to speak to captive listener

The Ancient Mariner tells his tale 29Multiple Narrative/Spiral Narrative Method: the story is frequently told through a series of secret manuscripts or multiple tales, each revealing a deeper secret, so the narrative gradually spirals inward toward the hidden truth. The narrator is often a first-person narrator compelled to tell the story to a fascinated or captive listener (representing the captivating power of forbidden knowledge). By revealing to us their own souls secrets, these narrators reveal the secrets of humankinds soul.

MadnessReflects realities beyond rational comprehensionMad characters speak truths we wish to deny

The mad man compels passers-by to listen 30Madness/Madmen/Characters Who Question Their Own Sanity: suggest humanitys encounter with the fantastic side of existence that defies human reason. Because mad characters are in touch with a deeper reality beyond rational comprehension, they often speak the truths that normal characters wish to deny. Madmen face universal or psychic forces that rational men fear to acknowledge.

BloodSymbolizes paradox of human conditionRepresents life/death, guilt/innocence

The Vampires Feast Thwarted 31Blood: a prominent symbol in Gothic works often intimating the paradox of the human condition; blood can represent both life and death, or both guilt (e.g., murder) and innocence (e.g., redemptive blood).

Other MotifsMurderIncest and sexual perversionValue reversalsMistaken/secret identitiesDichotomiesInnocence victimized by evil

32Other Motifs: murder, innocence victimized by evil, incest, sexual perversion, reversal of values, the Wanderer, the Outcast, mistaken or secret identities, dichotomies (attraction/repulsion, life/death, innocence/evil, nobility/corruption, etc.).BOO!