Gothic novels were very popular in the late 18th century, early 19th century, and were characterised by an atmosphere of mystery horror and a sense of the unknown.
Good examples include Ann Radcliffe's; The Mystery of Udolpho (1794) and Mary Shelly's Frankenstein (1818). In Gothic stories and tales, haunted settings such as castles, crypts, convents, or gloomy mansions, in images of ruin and decay, and in episodes of imprisonment, cruelty, and persecution were used. Until this day, the genre of the gothic has influenced the style of writing, poetry and also film making.Creating an ample setting and atmosphere are important features of the gothic.
Gothic literature is generally believed to have begun in the year 1765 with the publication of 'The Castle of Otranto' by Horace Walpole. He is said to be the one who set forth this the genre. It was at a time of industrial revolution when the gothic became increasingly popular. He made use of the superstitions of the past, without believing in them, as a means of freeing the imagination.
The title of the novel also gives us a clue to some of the essential elements of Gothic literature. The key word here is 'castle'.Because Gothic literature often focuses on huge and ancient buildings such as castles. Those ancient buildings may be viewed as symbolic of the unique atmosphere of Gothic literature. Cliff hangers and twists are often portrayed in the genre of short stories.
The basic elements of a short story include a beginning, in which the reader is thrown into action. The tension contained in the story rises to a high extent and the end usually consists of a cliff hanger or twist. High tension is usually sustained throughout a short story, as apposed to novels, which also incorporate anti- climaxes.Short stories can often be didactic and seek to tell a moral truth. I am comparing and contrasting three 19th century gothic short stories. The Stories in which I have chosen to about are: 'An Arrest' by Ambrose Bierce, 'Napoleon and The Spectre', Charlotte Bronte and the 'Signalman' by Charles Dickens.
'An Arrest' by Ambrose Bierce is written in a 3rd person narrative and is a violent story incorporating a ghost and the supernatural. Mystery and suspense are carried out dramatically throughout the story.This is one of the shortest short stories and fails in some ways to engage the reader due to its lack of length however as a ghost story it works well. Orrin Bower is sent to jail for committing the murder of his brother-in-law. Orin Brower, the main character, returns to the prison after being chased by what seemed to be his dead victim, leaving many unanswered questions.
This allows the reader to come to their own conclusion. Upon his return he is greeted with the dead body of the jailer lying on the reception desk. Before having read the first line, a preliminary interpretation of action is given, in the title, 'An Arrest.The story follows the short story convention of throwing the reader into the plot. 'Having murdered his brother- in- law.
' This line has already created a fear within the reader, towards the character being spoken about. Due to the shortness of this story there is not a lot of description in the story. The story follows the gothic convention of a gloomy setting and atmosphere, "from the county jail. " Jails are usually thought of as disgusting places, full of gloom horror and bad actions. A setting such as this gives a stereotypical image of Orrin Brower; a brutal and thug- like man.The setting later goes on to be in a forest, "forest into an old road.
" The use of a forest provides a perfect, chilling atmosphere without explicit detail since the emotion of fear is already associated with an isolated, gloomy forest. The night sky is deficient of stars and the moon, and this sets a very gothic mood; "the night was pretty dark, neither moon nor stars visible" this is very typically gothic and creates an atmospheric mood. The setting of the forest "wilder than it is now" this promotes the idea of darkness and the fact that Orrin Bower does not know the area which creates tension.This is presented again but about the sky "moon sealed into a patch of unclouded sky" this also promotes an eerie feeling and a very gothic image with moons and dark sky typical gothic features. Simple and spare language is used at the beginning of this story, "and opening the outer door, walked out into the night. " The listing used here also helps to aid the rhythm and pace.
The language tone soon turns from simple to mundane, "he did not wish to assist in his own pursuit. " The change in language adds to the gothic atmosphere and also mounts tension.High and intense action can be seen from the very beginning of the story, when Brower attacks the jailer, "knocking down his jailer with an iron bar. " The language used here adds to the shock of the event. There is a slight fall in tension, when the reader is informed "this was many years ago.
" When reading the story, it seems as though the action is taking place there and then. However, this reminds the reader that it was a past event, which relives the tension. The presence of the supernatural is hinted when Bierce describes what is in the sight of Brower, "saw the visible embodiment of Law lift its arm and point. Yet again, this is a further example of the gothic conventions.A combination of short and long sentences steps up the climax of the story, "..
... him. He understood. " Building tension quickly is a major element of the genre, short stories.
Evidence of the supernatural is again indicated, later, "deep shadow. " This is referring to a ghost; however, the reader does not know this. Extra climax is built, given to the fact that we only find out what is happening, as the murderer does. A mysterious atmosphere is again emphasised when Brower is alone with this unknown character, "they entered the town, which was all alight, but deserted. The mystery and suspense seen here follows conventions of both the gothic and short story genre.
And this scene is embodied in horror films and novels of today with gothic origins.The dramatic end of the story is unusual as well as definite. It consists of an extremely short paragraph: "On a table in the corridor lay the dead body of Burton Duff. " The simple, spare, monosyllabic choice of lexis helps to add shock to the twist of the story. This is a didactic gothic short story. It holds a message; justice, face up to the conscience.
This message is hinted earlier in the story, describing Brower as a 'haunted man'.The Signalman' by Charles Dickens is the second story to be examined and was written at a height of technological influence. Science, technology and rational thought were all used to explain most things. Dickens confronts these by writing about the supernatural. The Signalman' also explores mental insecurity. The main character, the signalman believes that he can see a figure who is warning him about something very terrible.
This leaves the signalman distressed and concerned, but he fails to realise is that this figure was warning him of his own death.The signalman goes on to tell a passer by about some of the perplex visions that have been occurring in his mind. Supernatural visions are a typical example of the Gothic genre. The Signalman' is set on a railway in a steep cutting, "the cutting was extremely deep and unusually precipitate", with little sunlight and thick undergrowth. Eerie lexis is used and there is, "rough zigzag descending path.
.. clammy stone...
dripping wet wall. " The setting is unwelcoming to the reader and also allows the writer to build up the tension. For the most part, the story takes place in the signalman's box, which is positioned along side the track.On one side of this box, is a 'black tunnel,' suggesting images of hell when Dickens writes, "terminating in a gloomy red light," the "jagged stone" and "angry sunset. " As in 'An Arrest,' there is very little light, "The night was pretty dark, with neither moon nor stars visible. " The absence of light can add fear to a story.
Set in a lonesome, dark cutting in a track continues to make 'The Signalman' a classic example of a Gothic story. In this story the main character, the signalman, often describes himself as "troubled" and "disturbed. " This creates an atmosphere of fear and mystery, regarding the main character.The signalman has 'dark hair,' 'heavy eyebrows' and 'hollow eyes,' this is a common characteristic of Gothic stories, which encourages the reader to view the character as more mysterious and sometimes intimidating and maybe even scary.
A significant feature in each of the stories is the use of the supernatural. Ghosts commonly feature in Gothic stories primarily because they can create fear and increase tension. The figure in 'The Signalman' is a mysterious character, his face hidden at all times as he holds his arm across it, "keeping the sleeve across its eyes.Perhaps the figure is trying to hide something or does not want to be recognised.
There is no character development here, leaving the figure as mysterious as possible; adding to the Gothic intensity felt by the reader. The reader is unsure until the very end of its purpose in the story. The mysterious figure also leaves the main character anxious and distressed; this is a typical Gothic emotion. No detail is given on the passer by.
The story commences with direct speech which brings impact to the story straight away, "Halloa! Below there! " when no voice replies, the first sign of tension and suspense begins to mount.The exclamatory phrase spoken by the passer by is found out to be a tremendously important part of the story. The Gothic vocabulary used throughout this story aids to continuously let the tension build, 'dark sallow man,' 'solitary and dismal place. ' The negative connotations and premodifiers emphasise the miserable and melancholy feel to the story.
The jumpiness of the story adds to the Gothic tension, "turned his face towards the little bell and when it did NOT ring... " Only the signalman hears this bell ringing which allows the reader to regard the signalman as strange and almost frightening.The premonitions from the signalman drive the tension on through the story.
'"The voice seemed hoarse with shouting, and it cried 'Look out! Look out! '"' The visions from the signalman give a horrific image of impending doom, significant to the Gothic elements of the story. In' The Signalman,' the first person narrative creates a feeling that the narrator is being honest and is a reliable source. Dickens achieves this by including thoughts and feelings from the narrator. The narrator is wary of the character, adding to the character's profile of being unstable. The story also starts with direct speech, "Halloa! Below there! " This can intrigue the reader and catches attention.
It also introduces both characters straight away, in contrast with "An Arrest. "The narrator is not omniscient and finds out what is happening as the reader does, adding to the feel of mystery and the unknown. At the end of the story, it is found out that the visions of the signalman have been of significant importance, as they forewarned his death. There was no rational explanation for this occurrences and this story teaches that science and technology cannot explain everything and the inexplicable can happen.The story holds within it a stark and shocking ending, "not only the words which the unfortunate signalman had repeated to me as haunting him, but also the words which I myself-not he-had attached, and that only in my own mind, to the gesticulation he had imitated. " The dramatic twist to this story adds to make this a perfect example of a short story.
The beginning is filled with an air of mystery; the middle consists of tension mounting elements and the story concludes with a shocking twist. Dickens was able to achieve this more so than Bierce in 'An Arrest' as it is a lot longer.Charlotte Bronte, the author of 'Napoleon and the Spectre' and wrote this at the age of 17, this is another example of a Gothic short story. 'Napoleon and the Spectre,' concerns the Emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte, who is led by a gruesome spectre, from his bedroom, through the streets of Paris and to a large marble hall where he meets his rather surprised and concerned wife. The Emperor, who is confused by his haunting journey, falls into a cataleptic fit for the night and the greater part of the next day.It is a dramatic ghost story with great use of the supernatural.
Napoleon and the Spectre' begins in the Emperor's bedroom. The characters then move into the deserted streets of Paris, this is similar to the deserted town in 'An Arrest. ' Bronte's story uses a subterranean passage to add mystery, therefore building tension. In addition, the story uses shadows and the darkness to great effect as did the previous stories. "A black, opaque shadow obscured it. " This story continues the convention of minimal characters, by including only two main characters.
Napoleon, however, is very unlike the characters described in the other stories studied as he leads a free life which is very unlike the other characters in the other two short stories. He also has a very powerful status. There is a clear image of the physical appearance of the spectre. Bronte goes to great lengths to describe the figure, "A tall, thin man, dressed in a blue surtout," "eyes are all glazed and bloodshot and started with frightful prominence from their sockets. " Bronte includes various gothic characteristics such as 'tall' and 'dark.
' The character is therefore more frightening and intimidating.And create a horror atmosphere and a clear vivid image of the character The story quickly takes the reader into a field of high drama, "In a few minutes the Emperor felt his pillow becoming rather hard, and he got up to shake it. " Action and tension are easily carried out throughout this story as it has a quick pace, allowing the tension to continually rise. Changes in paragraph lengths add to the dramatic intensity of the story, allowing the reader to become involved. Juxtapositions of short and long sentences provide an anti- climax for the reader, "Half ashamed of himself he returned to bed.
Rational explanations are a further way of releasing the tension. 'Napoleon and the Spectre' uses much direct speech to introduce the characters. '"It was but an ocular delusion. "' In contrast, 'An Arrest' uses none at all.
The sense of the gothic is delivered through the detailed description of setting and character. The spectre uses imperative lexis when ordering Napoleon, "'Silence,' said the guide. " This shows powerful retort along with force and aggression. Third person narrative is used in 'Napoleon and the Spectre. ' This creates a sense of reporting the story.In neither, 'An Arrest' and 'Napoleon and the Spectre,' does the narrator reveal a personal thought or opinion.
A sense of detachment can be formed as if the narrator has nothing to do with the story and is just telling it. The reader is encouraged to come to their own conclusion about the supernatural happening. In this story, the spectre is teaching a moral lesson; your past will catch up with you. The Emperor cries, "Where in the world is Piche! " This immediately connects the spectre with Pichegru who is a being whom Napoleon had wronged.
A powerful element of the Gothic is the use of the supernatural, which is perfectly conveyed within 'Napoleon and the Spectre. ' The spectre is a reflection of Napoleon's conscience. It is uncertain as to whether or not Napoleon has really sighted the spectre or it is all in his mind. There are indications that Napoleon has wronged this individual. There is also a hint of an omen or prophecy which again is a Gothic convention. "No! All thou hast heard and seen is sad and forewarning reality.
" The exclamatory phrase emphasises the fear of the spectre within the reader. The use of Gothic language and setting adds to the Gothic sensation.The concluding paragraph of the story continues on with features of the Gothic by finishing off with a stark and shocking ending. The short paragraph length adds to the bluntness of the ending: "The Emperor immediately fell into a fit of catalepsy, in which he continued during the whole of that night and the greater part of the next day. " The twist in this story is that with the mystery and suspense built up throughout the story does not end with a major incident or event. Gothic lexis and themes are used throughout all the three short stories and build up suspense and tension (some better than others) and create very gothic elementsIn all of the stories there is some sort of form of the supernatural apparent.
The presence of the supernatural is unsettling and makes the reader uneasy. This is a perfect technique for building tension, as in many well structured Gothic short stories. Another feature that is vital to Gothic stories is the setting and atmosphere. Dramatic and almost symbolic details create the foreboding and mysterious atmosphere desired by the writers. The landscape is often dark and plots may be set in hostile places.
Settings of dungeons, cellars and vaults are also used because they offer gloomy and damp conditions, reminiscent of threatening, malevolent actions taken place in Gothic stories. The dramatic use of tension is vital to a gothic story's success; it is particularly effective where the tension is allowed to build and increase and is then released. A common gothic theme is an examination of the psychological unstable. In each of the short stories the author often hints at insanity and mental insecurity. To conclude, all stories were reasonably successful as gripping gothic short stories.
The Signalman' was most successful however as a Gothic tale because Dickens was able to reveal the plot gradually in the story, due to its long length allowing tension to rise to a great height. 'Napoleon and the Spectre' did not have an effect such as this because the atmosphere created around the Spectre was less ominous, despite to gruesome appearance. I felt that 'An Arrest' was too concise and did not elaborate on enough to be effective in achieving fear and suspense within the reader; it was unable to achieve this due to its short length and fails to engage the reader.
