Considered as one of the first American writers to produce American national literature, Charles Brockden Brown belongs to the forefathers of the American Gothic Fiction and embodies the pioneer spirit of the American Short Story. Although throughout the last decades, intense and prolific research has been conducted about his life and works, respectively Wieland and Edgar Huntly, Brown’s Somnambulism yet remains a relatively obscure and unexplored narrative. The goal of this paper is to bring fourth its literary relevance within the context of the American Gothic Fiction by analyzing the occurrence, narrative usage and effect of Gothic elements in Brown’s fragment Somnambulism. By doing so, I will firstly give a short overview about its publishing history, followed by a brief excursion to the definition of short story to underline that Brown’s account is both short and Gothic story. The definition of the Gothic Fiction describes the historical development of the Gothic story, explaining its relevance in the American context and broaching Brown’s political use of the Gothic mode. Finally, the main body of this paper will demonstrate the comprised gothic elements of the story, exemplifying the constantly rising construction of horror through the lovelorn protagonist’s sick double mental existence and the sinister description of his counterpart Nick Handyside.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Publishing History
- Short Story about the Short Story
- Definition of Gothic Fiction
- Analysis of Gothic Elements in Somnambulism
- The Double Mental Existence in Richard Althorpe
- Nick Handyside: The Incorporation of Human Evil?
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to establish the literary significance of Charles Brockden Brown's "Somnambulism" within the context of American Gothic fiction. It analyzes the use and effect of Gothic elements in the narrative, exploring how they contribute to the overall horror and suspense. The paper also briefly examines the short story's publishing history and its place within the development of the American short story genre.
- The development and characteristics of American Gothic fiction.
- The narrative techniques and stylistic elements employed in Brown's "Somnambulism."
- The role of somnambulism as a Gothic trope.
- The exploration of duality and the human psyche in the narrative.
- The relationship between "Somnambulism" and the broader context of early American literature.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter situates Charles Brockden Brown's "Somnambulism" within the broader context of American Gothic fiction and the early American short story. It highlights the relative obscurity of the work and states the paper's objective: to analyze the Gothic elements present in the narrative and their effect. The chapter provides a brief overview of the publishing history of "Somnambulism," outlining its initial publication in *The Literary Magazine and American Register* and its subsequent rediscovery. It also touches upon the definition of the short story genre, establishing "Somnambulism" as an early example of American short fiction. The introduction lays the groundwork for a detailed analysis of the Gothic elements in the story, focusing on the protagonist's mental state and the character of Nick Handyside.
Publishing History: This chapter delves into the circumstances surrounding the anonymous publication of "Somnambulism" in 1805. It discusses Brown's role as editor-in-chief of *The Literary Magazine and American Register* and how his own work often filled gaps left by other authors' contributions. The chapter explores the probable writing period of "Somnambulism" (around 1797) and its possible connections to other works by Brown. It also highlights Brown's subtle and overt challenges to the political body of the newly formed American nation through his narratives, reflecting the social and political climate of the time. The chapter concludes by contextualizing "Somnambulism" within Brown's broader literary project and its exploration of somnambulism as a human condition.
Short Story about the Short Story: This chapter examines the status of "Somnambulism" as an early example of the American short story. It acknowledges the previous critical neglect of early American short narratives and challenges the notion that they lacked influence on the genre's evolution. The chapter uses Alfred Weber's definition of the short story to analyze Brown's work, arguing that its brevity, self-contained narrative, and focus on a dramatic event align with the criteria. The inclusion of an authentic murder case from the Vienna Gazette is highlighted as supporting evidence for its status as a short story based on real events. The chapter concludes by reinforcing "Somnambulism's" significance as a pioneering work in American short story literature, and its place within American Gothic Fiction.
Definition of Gothic Fiction: This chapter provides a historical overview of Gothic fiction, tracing its origins to Horace Walpole's *The Castle of Otranto*. It explains the key characteristics of Gothic literature, highlighting its blend of horror and romance. The chapter emphasizes the influence of the French Revolution on the development of Gothic fiction in Europe and England. This section connects the theoretical framework of Gothic fiction to the American context, setting the stage for the subsequent analysis of the Gothic elements in Brown's "Somnambulism." The chapter implicitly highlights how Brown’s work reflects and responds to social and political upheavals, echoing themes present in European Gothic fiction.
Keywords
American Gothic Fiction, Charles Brockden Brown, Somnambulism, Short Story, Early American Literature, Gothic Elements, Duality, Madness, Horror, Narrative Techniques, Political Commentary, American Revolution.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Charles Brockden Brown's "Somnambulism"
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of an academic paper analyzing Charles Brockden Brown's "Somnambulism" within the context of American Gothic fiction. It includes a table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The paper explores the development and characteristics of American Gothic fiction; the narrative techniques and stylistic elements in Brown's "Somnambulism"; the role of somnambulism as a Gothic trope; the exploration of duality and the human psyche; and the relationship between "Somnambulism" and early American literature. It also examines the story's publishing history and its significance as an early example of the American short story.
What is covered in the "Introduction" chapter?
The introduction situates "Somnambulism" within American Gothic fiction and the early American short story. It outlines the paper's objective – to analyze the Gothic elements and their effects – and provides a brief overview of the story's publishing history, touching upon its initial publication and subsequent rediscovery. It also briefly defines the short story genre and introduces the key characters and themes for analysis.
What does the "Publishing History" chapter discuss?
This chapter delves into the circumstances surrounding the anonymous publication of "Somnambulism" in 1805, discussing Brown's role as editor and the probable writing period. It explores connections to other works by Brown and highlights his subtle and overt challenges to the American political body, reflecting the social and political climate of the time. The chapter contextualizes "Somnambulism" within Brown's broader literary project.
What is the focus of the "Short Story about the Short Story" chapter?
This chapter examines "Somnambulism's" status as an early American short story, challenging the notion that early American short narratives lacked influence. It uses Alfred Weber's definition of the short story to analyze Brown's work, highlighting its brevity, self-contained narrative, and focus on a dramatic event. The chapter reinforces "Somnambulism's" significance as a pioneering work in American short story literature.
What is discussed in the "Definition of Gothic Fiction" chapter?
This chapter provides a historical overview of Gothic fiction, tracing its origins and key characteristics. It emphasizes the influence of the French Revolution and connects the theoretical framework of Gothic fiction to the American context, setting the stage for the analysis of Gothic elements in Brown's "Somnambulism".
What are the main characters analyzed in the paper?
The paper focuses primarily on the protagonist, Richard Althorpe, and a significant secondary character, Nick Handyside. The analysis explores the duality of their mental states and their roles in creating the narrative's horror and suspense.
What are the key Gothic elements analyzed in "Somnambulism"?
The paper analyzes the use of somnambulism as a Gothic trope, exploring its contribution to the overall horror and suspense. It also examines other Gothic elements within the narrative, although the specific elements are not explicitly listed in the preview.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
The keywords include American Gothic Fiction, Charles Brockden Brown, Somnambulism, Short Story, Early American Literature, Gothic Elements, Duality, Madness, Horror, Narrative Techniques, Political Commentary, and American Revolution.
Where can I find the full academic paper?
The full academic paper is not included in this preview document. Further information on accessing the full text would need to be obtained from the publishing company.
- Quote paper
- Mario Nsonga (Author), 2012, Between Madness and Sanity: Gothic Elements in Charles Brockden Brown’s “Somnambulism”, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/207836
