The haunted wilderness as the Sublime in Canadian Gothic fiction in the 19th century

Dossier / Travail , 2009 , 12 Pages , Note: 1,3

Philologie Américaine - Littérature

This work focuses on the question how and why nature can be seen as the Sublime in
Canadian Gothic fiction of the 19th century. This will be shown on the poem “Death in the
Arctic” by Robert W. Service. A short summary will be given at the beginning and will be
followed by a sketchy interpretation. The concept of the Sublime in Gothic fiction in general
will be explained briefly. The next paragraph will deal with general Gothic elements that
appear in Canadian Gothic fiction and that all together form the basis for the statement that
nature is the source for the Sublime.
A detailed analysis of the primary source will be given in the then-following section,
showing how the Sublime is created in this particular piece, using the elements that were
stated in the previous section.
At the end, a conclusion will be drawn.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• Introduction
• Introduction to the primary source: "Death in the Arctic" by Robert W. Service
• The Sublime in Gothic Literature
• "The haunted wilderness" – Harmful nature in Canadian Gothic
• "Death in the Arctic" - a structural analysis
• Conclusion
• Bibliography

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte

This work aims to explore the concept of the Sublime in Canadian Gothic fiction of the 19th century, specifically focusing on the poem "Death in the Arctic" by Robert W. Service. The analysis will examine how and why nature is portrayed as the Sublime in this context.

• The Sublime in Gothic Literature
• The Role of Nature in Canadian Gothic
• The "Haunted Wilderness" as a Source of Terror
• The Impact of Canadian History and Geography on Gothic Fiction
• The Sublime in "Death in the Arctic"

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel

The introduction sets the stage for the analysis by outlining the research question and the chosen primary source. It provides a brief summary of "Death in the Arctic" and introduces the concept of the Sublime in Gothic literature.

The chapter on "The Sublime in Gothic Literature" delves into the historical development of the concept, particularly focusing on Edmund Burke's ideas about terror as the driving force behind the sublime. It connects this concept to the portrayal of nature in Canadian Gothic fiction.

The chapter titled "The haunted wilderness" – Harmful nature in Canadian Gothic" explores the specific characteristics of Canadian Gothic, highlighting the significance of the wilderness setting and its role in creating a sense of terror. It examines the historical and geographical context of Canada, emphasizing the influence of its vast and often hostile natural environment on the genre.

The chapter "Death in the Arctic" - a structural analysis" provides a detailed analysis of the poem, examining its structure, themes, and imagery. It explores how the poem utilizes elements of the Sublime to create a sense of awe and terror, drawing connections to the concepts discussed in previous chapters.

Schlüsselwörter

The keywords and focus themes of the text include Canadian Gothic, the Sublime, nature, wilderness, terror, "Death in the Arctic," Robert W. Service, Edmund Burke, and the "haunted wilderness." The analysis explores how these elements contribute to the creation of a unique and powerful literary experience in Canadian Gothic fiction.

• Université: University of Hamburg (Institut für Anglistik und Amerikanistik)
• Cours: American Gothic of the 19th century
• Note: 1,3
• Auteur: Daniela Schröder (Auteur)
• Année de publication: 2009
• Pages: 12
• N° de catalogue: V132601
• ISBN (ebook): 9783640419227
• ISBN (Livre): 9783640419166
• Langue: anglais
• mots-clé: Sublime, Canadian, Gothic