FMS408GothicHorrorSalmonM: The First Gothic Horror Novels

In order to have a better understanding of Gothic Horror novels and the various genres introduced in the novels from the 1800's, I did some research on a few novels and analysed the themes and Gothic settings of some of the novels. It was interesting to find out the development and change of Gothic Horror novels and how different authors introduced the 'creatures' and 'monsters' we fear and re create today in films, books, myths etc.

The Castle of Otranto By Horace Walpole.

"The world is a tragedy to those who feel, but a comedy to those who think."

- Horace Walpole.

- This was the first Gothic Horror Novel

- The Novel was published in 1764

- In this Novel Horace Walpole combined the supernatural and horror together

- Horace Walpole introduced the first Gothic Horror elements in his novel creating a 'Gothic setting' which would be recreated throughout history

- Romance, devastation, death, foreign/ deserted location, Death, lust and betrayal; these are all emotions, elements and themes that are created in this novel

More about Horace Walpole and his literature -

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0054792

http://www.bl.uk/britishlibrary/~/media/bl/global/english-online/collection-item-images/w/a/l/walpole%20horace%20gothic%20b20114%2047.jpg?w=608&h=342

The Mysteries of Udolpho: The Dawn of the Female Gothic By Ann Radcliffe.

“Such is the inconsistency of real love, that it is always awake to suspicion, however unreasonable; always requiring new assurances from the object of its interest.”
- By Ann Radcliffe

- In Ann Radcliffe's extremely successful novel she introduces 'The Explained Supernatural'
- This novel was published in 1794
-'The Explained Supernatural' Is when horrifying supernatural activities and events have logical explanations and reasoning
- Similarly to the Gothic Horror author Sophia Lee, Ann Radcliffe carried on the Female Gothic literature style and 'perfected' it in her novel 'The Mysteries of Udolpho'

http://study.com/cimages/multimages/16/ann_radcliffe.jpg

The Monk; Shocking Society By Matthew Lewis.

"She sealed his lips with a wanton kiss; 'Though I forgive your breaking your vows to heaven, I expect you to keep your vows to me.”

- By Matthew Lewis

http://www.bl.uk/britishlibrary/~/media/bl/global/english-online/collection-item-images/l/e/w/lewis%20matthew%20matthew%20c13742%2084.jpg?w=608&h=342

- This novel is said to be the 'Mans Gothic' due to the novels themes of loneliness and the main male character being an outsider in society

-This Novel was published in 1796

- Matthew Lewis's novel explores themes of cannibalism, gore, incestuous necrophilia and voyeurism

-Matthew Lewis was a young MP at the time of publishing the book and themes within the book and his personal life caused controversy

The Vampyre; Birth of the Tale in English By John William Polidori 1816.

“all those upon whom it was bestowed, inevitably found that there was a curse upon it, for they were all either led to the scaffold, or sunk to the lowest and the most abject misery.” - By John William Polidori

http://www.bl.uk/britishlibrary/~/media/bl/global/english-online/collection-items-more/p/o/l/polidori-john-vampyre-b20120-39.jpg?w=608&h=342

- This Gothic Horror is set on the shores of Lake Geneva

-John Polidori wrote the first vampire novel in English

- His Novel introduced the 'Vampyre' as a deadly attractive and misunderstood monster

- John Polidori's representation of 'The Vampyre' had been re created in many other gothic novels, thriller stories, films etc

-Like Lord Byron, both he and John Polidori introduced the first 'Vampyres' in their novels

-Lord Byron introduced the first 'Modern Vampire'; which is still inspiring vampire characters today, etc Robert Pattison 'Edward Cullen' in the Twilight films by Stephanie Myers

Frankenstein By Mary Shelley 1816.

"Beware; for I am fearless, and therefore powerless" - By Mary Shelley