Gothic fiction is definitely one of the most interesting literary genres of the Romantic period in the way it combines horror with Romanticism to create a unique atmosphere. It almost comes off as something like a highly professional take on horror for the upper class but with a dash of violence and sexuality thrown in for good measure. Prominent authors of this genre included Ann Radcliffe and Matthew Lewis, the former being known for works like "The Mysteries of Udolpho" and "The Romance in the Forest," and the latter for "The Monk." All these works are notable examples of the genre but novels from other authors like "Frankenstein," and "Dracula" are more well-known, mainstream works, perhaps because they appealed more to people with their supernatural elements. I think Radcliffe and Lewis are interesting because their influence on the genre is unmistakable and their imagery does a good job to represent Gothic fiction by conveying a sense of dread and evoking fear. For example, "The Monk" contains plenty of Gothic elements, and one passage from the story includes: "The ravisher stepped on, and found himself in the chamber where slept the innocent girl, unconscious how dangerous a visitor was drawing near her couch" (Lewis, 605). This is something you would find in a Gothic novel that makes sense, and Radcliffe uses similar strategies. Both utilize moments of fear and suspense as a driving element to their stories and manage to appeal to the psychological undertones that define the horror genre as a whole.
Jane Austen's "Northanger Abbey" takes a different approach, however. It serves as a parody of both the genre and the people who obsess over it, similar to today's fanboy culture. The story involves a young female character who reads numerous Gothic novels and then starts to believe that her life is becoming one. However, I would not entirely call it an effective parody based on my personal experience. It tackles the genre is subtle ways and draws humor from its interaction with characters in ways that do not always relate to Gothic or obsession. Rather, I would say it is more of a commentary on the genre as a literary phenomenon, because it still has something relevant to say. And while I fully expected a somewhat scathing critique, it still managed to point out certain aspects that related to literary obsession as a whole instead of one particular group.
Greenblatt, S. (2012). The Norton anthology of English literature (9th ed.). New York ; London: W.W. Norton.
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