Gothic Literature Flashcards, test questions and answers

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What is Gothic Literature?

Gothic literature is a genre of literature that combines elements of both horror and romance. It originated in the late 18th century, when authors began to combine elements of horror, romance, and the supernatural in their works. Gothic literature typically features dark themes such as death, decay, and despair. It is often set in haunted houses or other eerie locations and involves mysterious characters or events. Common elements include ghosts, vampires, werewolves, curses, demons, monsters, and other supernatural creatures.The Gothic genre has been popular for centuries due to its ability to evoke intense emotions from readers. Themes such as death, loss of innocence and coming-of-age are all commonly explored in Gothic literature. Furthermore its focus on the dark aspects of life can be seen as an exploration into the psychological depths which make up human nature itself making it an ideal choice for those looking to explore darker sides of life without needing to resort to explicit violence or gore. Gothic literature often relies heavily on setting to create moods and atmosphere; main characters often find themselves isolated within desolate landscapes filled with ruins or forgotten castles these magnify feelings of dread while also providing a canvas upon which further details can be added by the reader’s imagination. Symbolism is also frequently used within Gothic tales; certain objects may become imbued with meaning beyond their literal purpose candles may represent hope while graves symbolise death.