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Gothic fiction combines horror and fiction.
This genre touches on themes of the sublime, death, and sometimes even romance. Gothic fiction is stereotypically set in an old manor, abbey, castle, or any gothic German-like architectural building, etc., but it is not limited to these places.
Often times, gothic fiction alludes or allows for the horrific imaginary to become reality. Gothic fiction is often described as a pleasurable, subtle admiration and excitement, for horror.
To summarize my own thoughts about gothic fiction: there is something so fascinating and somber about gothic fiction; it’s the anticipation, the secret passages, and the shady and overly emotive characters that truly grip me to the genre.
Here is a list of my top 5 absolutely all time favorite classical pieces of gothic fiction.
1. “The Monk” by Matthew Gregory Lewis
“The Monk” was published in 1796 before the author – Matthew Gregory Lewis – turned twenty years of age. This was a great feat. However, this gothic novel was heavily criticized due to its scandalous plot and taboo subject matters.
To begin, the story takes place in Madrid, Spain. The story follows the most venerated Monk of the Catholic Church of Madrid. “The Monk” is an intricate piece of gothic fiction as it has two main plots and many subplots interweaving the main story lines. Every little bit that seems superfluous is actually not. Instead, they contribute to this heavy atmosphere of deceit and moral decay.
To keep it short and without spoilers, all I will say is that this book contains a compromised Monk. There are typical gothic figures such as an innocent young and beautiful nun (or two), and the devil at the very least.
In essence, it is a story about corruption (as most gothic novels are about) with a little supernatural twist. At its heart: this book is sinful, twisted, and at times, utterly horrifying and mortifying. Like many book of its time, this book explores the excess of passion and religious ideals. It also passes commentary on the “authorship” of one’s work.
I read this book during my undergraduate degree, and I absolutely fell in love with this one. I truly believe it does not get the recognition it should be getting outside of the academic world. Yet, “The Monk” is exceptional. It is well developed and brilliantly crafted.
2. “Frankenstein” by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
“Frankenstein” is yet another classic, much more well-known and read than “The Monk.” This is largely due to the fact that “Frankenstein” transcends time with its prevalent themes. It is an exploration of humanity, the ethics of scientific invention, and corruption. Although it was published in 1818, it has not lost its literary grit. Yes, even after two entire centuries.
Upon reading this classic, I am completely astounded that Mary Shelley wrote this at such a young age. Her book, a lot like Lewis’s, was also published by the time she was at the prime age of twenty.
Furthermore, Mary Shelley also manages to weave a story within a story (called “frame story”). She weaves these stories through the use of the epistolary (a narrative story told with letters).
This story has such a peculiar personalized touch because Mary Shelley implemented a lot of her life events and happenings around her. Some of her influences were the “year without summer” (which basically produced poor crops and endless rain) and the popularity of galvanism (a kind of electricity produced by chemicals in action).
Additionally, the numerous deaths in her family history also contributed to the story. Mary Shelley’s mother died at her birth, her half sister Fanny died by suicide and her first child unfortunately died in infancy.
In this story, the monster, created at the hands of young scientist Victor Frankenstein, is a highly complex and intelligible entity. He raises important questions about society, hypocrisy, as well as the stark importance of acceptance, literacy, and compassion. At times, the monster thinks and acts more humanly than Victor. By contrast, Victor acts more monstrously than human.
Essentially, the horrifying part of this story is the repercussions of one man’s crimes at the expense of others. Throughout this story, readers view this pattern of selfishness. The proof lies in Captain Walton’s letters. And thus, “Frankenstein” consistently transcends time and space even after two whole centuries later.
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3. “Northanger Abbey” by Jane Austen
You read the author’s name correctly. Jane Austen is the Victorian author renown for her romances such as “Pride & Prejudice” and “Emma.” In these Victorian romances, Austen mocks high society etiquette.
However, readers often ignore that Jane Austen also delivered this delicious gothic novel that is “Northanger Abbey.” This novel delivers a satirical twist. Along with the other gothic novels, this one was also published, although posthumously, in the early 19th century. “Northanger Abbey” is published in 1817, a year apart from Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein.”
Furthermore, “Northanger Abbey” is no exception to Austen’s other novels. We still find themes of money and marriage at the centre of the plot. If “The Monk” was a social commentary for catholic deception and “Frankenstein” for harmful scientific experimentation, “Northanger Abbey” is a social commentary about Victorian Regency.
In this story, Catherine Morland finds herself in a risky situation that could cost her love interest Henry Tilney and her friend, Tilney’s sister Eleanor. Things are never what they seem in gothic fiction… Catherine needs to distinguish, once and for all, the lines between fiction and reality.
Additionally, this novel discusses the gothic of the times at the centre of some conversation, titles such as Ann Radcliffe’s “The Mysteries of Udolpho.” The intertextuality heightens the reader’s awareness to the satire.
This novel is delves into family mystery, high society, and a good old gothic mansion. The young, low-society, naïve heroine, Catherine Morland, has to navigate this world of conceit and false appearances. Along her trajectory towards Bath and the mansion at Northanger Abbey, Catherine grows and matures. She develops skills that are invaluable to her. “Northanger Abbey” is the lightest of the recommendations on this list since it is a satire above all.
4. “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde
“The Picture of Dorian Gray” was one of my all time favourite gothic and queer pieces of fiction during my undergraduate degree. It is a gothic tale about vanity primarily and corruption as a result. It is a fictional novel that explores the depths and enchantments of fame, beauty, self-indulgence, conceit, and basically epitomizing gothic elements with the moral decay at its core.
At the time of its publication in 1890, Oscar Wilde had received a lot of public backlash for his “morally corruptive” novel. Wilde was a queer man and there are clear undertones of homoerotic feelings in his works. “The Picture of Dorian Gray” is no exception to his outlandish behaviour, therefore causing great scandal and criticism.
Wilde himself said that he recognizes himself in the three main characters he has written for different reasons; “Basil Hallward is what I think I am: Lord Henry is what the world thinks of me: Dorian is what I would like to be—in other ages, perhaps.”
The story follows Dorian Gray. The painter Basil Hallward beautifully paints this handsome young man. Through this prior connection, young Dorian Gray makes the acquaintance of Lord Henry, an aristocratic man who introduces him to the hedonistic lifestyle.
Without spoiling too much of the intrigue of this story, I will say that Dorian gradually succumbs to this new lifestyle and loses his soul. The enchantment of the oil painting is hauntingly the spark to the decline of Dorian Gray.
Once again, the gothic genre allows writers to explore society and pass a commentary through the horrific gothic passages presented in their plot and characters.
5. “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
In contrast to the other four gothic novels, “The Yellow Wallpaper” is a short gothic story. It is still a classical tale but a little closer to our times. This story was still published in the late 19th century and early 20th century, in 1892 to be precise.
“The Yellow Wallpaper” remains a highly acclaimed short fiction even after over a century has passed. At the time, it was so avant-garde to have the feminist voice disguised under the gothic mystery of the yellow wallpaper.
This story follows a woman who recently entered motherhood. This woman faces a “temporary nervous depression.” She consequently remains in an old colonial mansion. She follows the authoritative command of her husband, especially since he is a renowned physician.
Thus, this house arrest prescribed to her in order for her to rest her mind. Consequently, her husband-physician forbids her from her vocation of writing. This story has an autobiographical background as Charlotte Perkins Gilman herself experienced a similar situation.
This short tale is so gripping and haunting because of the claustrophobia it provokes as well as the main character’s obsession with the mysterious figure that lures behind the yellow wallpaper. The clever oppressive and frantic writing style highlights the oppression of women and the misconception of depression. The two combined makes this gothic short story truly horrifying.
The ending of this story cleverly subverts all of the elements presented as insanity does not seem so insane after all.
If you like spooky, thrilling books, you should definitely read my 7 Thrilling Book to Movie Adaptations! 🍂
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