- Castles.
- Many Gothic novels are set in a castle, as is Dracula.
- Mystery and suspense.
- In Gothic novels, no one knows the fate of the characters until the (often tragic) end. In Dracula, we lose sleep over Jonathan Harker's safety under the Count (who we eventually learn has a thirst for blood), as we did with Victor Frankenstein, who we believed was to die on his wedding night.
- Omens
- Gothic novels often foreshadow coming events with an omen or vision; a depiction or warning of coming events. Dracula contains a few of these, including the villagers warning him and giving him various gifts related to superstition, such as a crucifix and rosary. Mary Shelley's Frankenstein also involves omens, especially when Victor witnesses the monster grinning at him through his window.
- The supernatural
- Most Gothic novels involve a chain of inexplicable and fantastical events. Dracula, a tale of vampires and wolves seemingly overwhelmed by the moon, is clearly one of those novels, as is Frankenstein, which involves necromancy.
- Intense emotion
- The characters in Gothic novels often feel emotions to the extreme, especially negative emotions. Jonathan Harker from Dracula is overcome with intense feelings of longing, imprisonment, terror, paranoia, and desperation throughout his stay with the Count. Victor Frankenstein of Frankenstein feels similar emotions to the point where he falls ill after the creation of his monster.
- Distressed women
- Gothic novels love to toy with our emotions by harming the women in the novel. This happens in Dracula when the Count kidnaps a woman's child.
- Gloomy and mysterious diction and imagery.
- Gothic novels tend to create a dark and creepy atmosphere with the words and imagery used. Dracula is full of this, as Jonathan Harker takes to a life lived at night and the ancient furniture is blanketed with a dusty film. Frankenstein also creates this since of desolation with rainy nights and a terrorized childhood home.
The list of Gothic elements primarily used to compare the novels to others of its genre may be found here.
The comments may include examples of these elements as well as discussions on how Dracula relates to Frankenstein, why these elements are used in Gothic novels, why certain ones are or are not used in Dracula, etc.
The comments may include examples of these elements as well as discussions on how Dracula relates to Frankenstein, why these elements are used in Gothic novels, why certain ones are or are not used in Dracula, etc.
A common element in gothic novels is the "First-person-diary" approach. Many gothic writers try to capture the essence of being in the situation. When done well, the technique actually works and makes the reader sympathize with the unfortunate soul. (Like anyone who has the displeasure of making Dracula's acquaintance.)
ReplyDeleteOkay, but what does the first-person-diary approach do for the novel aside from, "the author did it to make you feel like you were there *uncomfortable smiling 4th grader*"?
ReplyDeleteThe journal entrees aim to develop the character on the basis that journal entrees are often rather secretive, and stepping into the world of the character by delving into there inner most thoughts generally allows for more readers to connect with the character on a personal basis. The entrees often set up the history of the characters that look to past hardships and even conversely describe past moments of happiness. These moments often foreshadow further hardship as the main character soon spirals into a pit of despair while engulfing themselves in often self-destructive desires.
ReplyDeleteStoker in his writing implies heavily on what happens than telling you. It makes your skin crawl not knowing but having to interpret what Stoker wants you to.
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ReplyDeleteThis is a great discussion.
ReplyDelete