Die Arbeit beleuchtet zunächst den ethymologischen und historischen Hintergrund des Terminus Gothic, um anschließend auf drei mögliche Ursachen der Entstehung von Gothic Fiction im 18 Jahrhundert einzugehen. Anschließend werden drei wichtige Merkmale der Gothic Fiction in Henry James' The Turn of The Screw aufgezeigt und knapp diskutiert.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. What is Gothic Fiction?
2.1. Gothic as a Term
2.1.1. Etymological Origin
2.1.2. Historical Origin
2.1.3. Historical Development
2.2. Gothic as a Style in Literature
2.2.1. Horror Gothic and Terror Gothic
2.2.2. Reasons for the Development of Gothic Fiction in the Mid 18th century
2.2.3. Aspect 1: Gothic Setting
2.2.4. Aspect 2: Gothic Characters and Personnel
2.2.5. Aspect 3: Gothic Essentials
3. The Turn of the Screw – Gothic Fiction?
3.1. Basic Elements of Gothic Fiction in The Turn of the Screw
4. Results
Objectives & Themes
This paper explores the classification of Henry James' novella "The Turn of the Screw" within the tradition of Gothic fiction. It examines historical definitions of the Gothic genre and identifies key Gothic elements present in James' work to determine the validity of such a classification.
- Historical evolution of the term "Gothic" and its literary significance.
- Differentiating between Horror Gothic and Terror Gothic.
- The impact of Gothic Revival and Sentimentalism on literature.
- Application of Gothic criteria (setting, characters, and essentials) to Henry James' novella.
- Analysis of psychological ambiguity and human behavior as Gothic themes.
Excerpt from the Book
James & Gothic Setting
Expectations of the governess concerning the mansion she is employed for, are disappointed, when she arrives at Bly. A reader might be disappointed as well, since the prologue installed a rather ghostly and gothic atmosphere. Hence, reader and governess expected a more gothic setting:
I suppose I had expected ... something so dreary that was greeted me was a good surprise. I remember as a thoroughly pleasant impression the broad clear front, its open windows and fresh curtains and the pair of maids looking out; ... the lawn and the bright flowers and the crunch of my wheels on the gravel and the clustered tree-tops over which the rooks circled and cawed in the golden sky (James, 2004, p. 29)
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The introduction establishes the paper's focus on the Gothic tradition and poses the central question of whether Henry James' "The Turn of the Screw" can be classified as a Gothic work.
2. What is Gothic Fiction?: This section explores the linguistic and historical origins of the term "Gothic" and delineates the development of Gothic fiction as a literary style, covering key aspects like settings, characters, and essentials.
3. The Turn of the Screw – Gothic Fiction?: This chapter applies the previously established theoretical framework to Henry James' novella to identify specific Gothic elements in setting, characterization, and plot.
4. Results: The concluding analysis evaluates how "The Turn of the Screw" blends traditional Gothic tropes with modern psychological depth, concluding that it is a sophisticated, ambiguous masterpiece that transcends simple genre classification.
Keywords
Gothic fiction, Henry James, The Turn of the Screw, Gothic Revival, Terror Gothic, Horror Gothic, Sentimentalism, Sublime, Gothic setting, Literary tradition, Psychological threat, Apparitions, Ambiguity, Gothic characters, Middle Ages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper investigates the literary tradition of Gothic fiction and evaluates whether Henry James' novella "The Turn of the Screw" fits within this genre.
What are the central thematic fields explored?
The central themes include the historical development of the term "Gothic," the stylistic features of Gothic literature (such as settings and character tropes), and their manifestation in James' writing.
What is the core research question?
The core research question is whether "The Turn of the Screw" can be accurately categorized as Gothic fiction.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The author uses a comparative approach, defining theoretical markers of the Gothic genre and then identifying these specific elements through an exemplification analysis of the novella.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body covers the etymology of the term "Gothic," the distinction between Horror and Terror Gothic, philosophical influences like the Sublime, and an analysis of how James incorporates these into his work.
How is the paper characterized by keywords?
The work is characterized by terms linking historical Gothic elements like "Gothic Revival" and "supernatural apparitions" with modern interpretations like "psychological threat" and "ambiguity."
Does the author consider the setting of "The Turn of the Screw" to be typically Gothic?
The author notes an initial discrepancy where the setting appears pleasant, but argues that it transforms into a classic Gothic mansion as the story progresses.
How does the author interpret the apparitions in the novella?
The author suggests that regardless of whether the ghosts are real or imaginary, they serve as narrative components that align with the Gothic tradition and facilitate the story's psychological complexity.
What is the final conclusion regarding the genre of the book?
The conclusion is that while the novella utilizes traditional Gothic elements, it is a highly sophisticated work that also incorporates modern psychological ideas, making it too ambiguous to be strictly limited to the Gothic genre.
- Quote paper
- Tilo Voltz (Author), 2008, Gothic Fiction and 'The Turn of The Screw', Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/119706
