In this paper, a look will be taken at the history of Gothic narratives as a genre and its development in American literature. The main question of this treatise will be what sets Gothic literature apart from other genres and why has it been so successful until today. Specifically, the situation of American Gothic stories as one of the most important and most influential literary movements will be considered. After exploring how Gothic literature emerged during the late 18th century, a description of its development until the late 19th century will follow. A more elaborate depiction of how Gothic established itself in the new world will be given by stating the front runners of American fiction and their unique narrative techniques.
The key features and elements of Gothic literature will be listed afterwards accompanied by a detailed description of its most important concepts. To emphasize how important Gothic literature was for American fiction and how influential it still is today, the example of American author Edgar Allen Poe will illustrate the special features of Gothic literature development in America. For doing so we will take a closer look at the person of Edgar Allen Poe, his history and involvement in creating short stories and poetry. Afterwards, his influence on Gothic as a genre will be portrayed and to elaborate in more detail how his personal style of writing Gothic tales is a milestone in American literature, a deconstruction of his story “The Fall of the Houseof Usher” will follow. There key elements and concepts of his literary style will be discussed and will show how his twist of Gothic features result in him being one of the front runners of American fiction.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Genre of Gothic Literature and its History
2.1 Gothic Literature in America
2.2 Key Features and Elements
3. A Case Study: Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849)
3.1 Gothic Literature and Poe´s Work
4. Deconstructing Poe´s “The Fall of the House of Usher”
5. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the history and evolution of Gothic narratives, specifically focusing on its development within American literature. It explores how the genre transitioned from European origins to a distinct American sub-genre, while analyzing the central role of Edgar Allan Poe in shaping this evolution through psychological exploration and the integration of terror, anxiety, and the uncanny.
- The historical emergence and development of the Gothic genre.
- The differentiation and adaptation of Gothic literature in the American context.
- Key characteristics, including the uncanny, trauma, and psychological depth.
- A detailed analysis of Edgar Allan Poe’s influence on modern Gothic fiction.
- A case study analysis of "The Fall of the House of Usher" as a narrative milestone.
Excerpt from the Book
Deconstructing Poe´s “The Fall of the House of Usher”
We will now take a closer look at one of Edgar Allan Poe´s classic short story “The Fall of the House of Usher” from 1839. This is a staple of American Gothic literature of the 19th century. What makes this tale so special and unique in the context of the development of the Gothic genre is to answer on the following pages. This shall act as an example of Poe´s style of writing and how certain aspects and twists of Gothic fiction were implemented into his stories and tales.
“The Fall of the House of Usher” is a master text in the history of Gothic literature. This is due to it being alluring and enigmatic, because in contrast to other Gothic tales, this short story deals with only suggested questions which are left to be answered at the end. This elusiveness ignites a fierce discussion amongst readers and reviewers to this day and manifests “The Fall of the House of Usher” as a timeless and widely criticised work for there are always people trying to answer the open question the text poses. The basic fields of discussion in “Usher” can be related to the concepts of trauma and the uncanny (Nadal 2016, pp. 178-180).
Trauma not only includes the psychological disorder many soldiers retrieve after coming home from war, but the concept of trauma can also be applied to literary criticism in the Gothic genre. It has become a paradigm “because it has been turned into a repertoire of compelling stories about the enigma of identity, memory and selfhood that have saturated Western cultural life”. Identity and memory are key concepts that “Usher” highlights (ibid.). It conveys uncanniness and trauma by dealing with characters who are obsessed by the past and even while they try to counteract against it, the memory of it keeps diminishing. This “burning memory” and its self-destructiveness are the foundation of an atmosphere of vagueness and uncertainty which dominates “Usher´s” narrative style. The core issue of the uncanny is here depicted as the conflict between the desire to know and the fear of doing so (ibid, p.181-182).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter outlines the paper's focus on the development of Gothic narratives and presents the central research questions regarding the genre's success and evolution.
2. The Genre of Gothic Literature and its History: This section provides an overview of the genre's origins in 18th-century England and its expansion into a long-lasting cultural phenomenon.
2.1 Gothic Literature in America: This chapter analyzes how American authors adapted European Gothic traditions and identified unique indigenous features like the frontier and Puritan legacy.
2.2 Key Features and Elements: This part identifies core Gothic elements, such as the uncanny, paranoia, and the use of extreme environments, which function to disturb logical perception.
3. A Case Study: Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849): This chapter details the biography of Poe and explains his significant role in shifting Gothic literature towards themes of horror.
3.1 Gothic Literature and Poe´s Work: This section examines Poe's specific contribution to the genre, particularly his multidimensional use of mental archetypes and psychological projection.
4. Deconstructing Poe´s “The Fall of the House of Usher”: This chapter performs a literary analysis of the short story, focusing on trauma, memory, and the "uncanny" as central themes.
5. Conclusion: The concluding chapter synthesizes the arguments, reaffirming the importance of American Gothic and Poe's enduring influence on literary history.
Keywords
Gothic literature, American literature, Edgar Allan Poe, The Fall of the House of Usher, The Uncanny, Horror, Trauma, Psychological exploration, Gothic vision, Narrative technique, Literary history, 19th-century fiction, Supernaturalism, American Gothic, Symbolic motifs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper explores the history and development of Gothic literature as a genre, with a specific focus on its successful adaptation and evolution within the American literary landscape.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
Key themes include the emergence of the Gothic genre, the influence of European origins, the role of psychology in narrative, the importance of place and atmosphere, and the specific impact of Edgar Allan Poe.
What is the main research objective?
The treatise aims to identify what distinguishes Gothic literature from other genres and why it maintains such significant, enduring influence on modern literature and culture.
Which methodology is employed in the study?
The author uses a historical literature review to trace the origins of the genre, followed by a case study approach of Edgar Allan Poe and a deconstructive analysis of his short story "The Fall of the House of Usher."
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body covers the transition of Gothic fiction into American contexts, defines key aesthetic elements of the genre, provides a biographical overview of Edgar Allan Poe, and analyzes his specific literary techniques.
How are the keywords defined for this study?
The keywords, such as "Gothic literature," "The Uncanny," and "Trauma," reflect the genre's aesthetic focus, its psychological core, and the specific narrative tools used by authors like Poe.
Why is "The Fall of the House of Usher" considered a special case study?
It is viewed as a master text that exemplifies the "uncanny" and "trauma," illustrating how Poe used the house as a metaphor for the psyche and the decline of an aristocratic line.
What role does the "Uncanny" play in the discussed narratives?
The Uncanny acts as a primary tool to establish a dark, uncertain atmosphere, where reality is distorted and logic is overwhelmed by the characters' inner experiences and mental states.
How did American authors differentiate their work from European models?
They shifted focus from feudal castles and legends to indigenous American concerns like the frontier, the Puritan legacy, democratic struggles, and deep psychological exploration.
What is the paper's conclusion regarding Poe’s influence?
The paper concludes that Poe pioneered the integration of complex psychological depth into Gothic tales, establishing a milestone that transformed the genre and continues to influence modern fiction.
- Citar trabajo
- Dominik Kruczinski (Autor), 2021, The American Gothic, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1224586
