Atmosphere of Terror and Suspense in Gothic Literature Essay -- essays

1764 aphorism the contain of Gothic belles-lettres with the overbold The Castle of Otranto, written by Horace Walpole. Although, this novel was based on some much earlier literature it square up the standard for solely the gothic novels that followed. The 18th century was a condemnation when political power was in the hands of a few deep men. Women did not have the vote, let alone any legal rights. The volume of the population lived in poverty. However things were changing ? the Church was no monthlong as powerful and the social structure was being questioned. For example, in 1789 the french monarchy was overthr cause by the masses starting the French revolution. People were no long-lasting so willing to accept their ?lot in life?. It was in this background that the genre of Gothic literature was first written. It was called gothic because it set emphasis on emotions such as awe, terror, insignificance and vulnerability. Gothic novels were fascinated with the grotesque, flagitious and supernatural. They were a reaction against realistic literature of the 18th century. whatsoever saw it as a sub-genre of romantics but others argued it was a genre in its own right. Whatever its genre, gothic novels were typically characterized by their romanticism, melodrama and dark foreboding settings. They were sarcastic of the society of the day and fiercely anti- catholic, disliking the church?s power and brutality. Some of the main gothic writers of the time included Edgar Alan Poe, Charles Dickens, H.G.Wells, Charlotte and Emily Bronte. By the end of the19th century Mary Shelley?s famous novel of Frankenstein had been published and later on Bram Stoker?s Dracula. Of all the stories written in the gothic era, they all contain many of the typical gothic ... ...ation and descriptive language. Also, with The Tell twaddle Heart the tension and suspense has great effect, making the reader deficient to read on. The building of suspense t hrough specific language and literary devices is so firm and efficient that ?The Tell-Tale Heart? has become one of the nigh famous Gothic short stories in English literature. Poe?s superior of words is known to be precise and concise, and so is his writing personal manner no devices are used without having certain effects. The Cask of Amontillado is the least vox of the genre because it does not contain so many gothic features and the vote counter has a reason for killing revenge. I believe gothic literature has remained so popular because people like to be thrilled by horror and ghost stories and the central themes never age. The reader can empathise with the story without having to believe it.