In this essay, the author will look into the five aspects of sublimity, using an example from Horace Walpole’s "Castle of Otranto" (1764), Matthew Gregory Lewis’s "The Monk" (1796) and Mary Shelley’s "Frankenstein" (1818), in order to trace the transformation of the Gothic genre from mid-18th century, when the genre began, to early 19th century, when the most famous novel of the genre was written.
The conventions of the Gothic genre have always been changing as time goes on. The most notable and central one is the notion of sublimity, which can be further categorized into five aspects, namely passion, terror, obscurity, power and vastness.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of Sublimity
- The passion of astonishment in the Gothic genre
- Main characters facing terror in the Gothic genre
- Obscurity in the Gothic genre
- Power in the Gothic genre
- Vastness in the Gothic genre
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay examines the transformation of the Gothic genre from the mid-18th to the early 19th century, focusing on the evolution of the concept of sublimity. It uses examples from Walpole's Castle of Otranto, Lewis's The Monk, and Shelley's Frankenstein to trace this transformation.
- The evolution of the concept of sublimity in Gothic literature.
- The role of passion, terror, and other elements of the sublime in shaping Gothic narratives.
- The shifting sources of astonishment and terror in Gothic novels across different time periods.
- Comparisons of how main characters in different Gothic novels react to and overcome terror.
- The influence of philosophical ideas on the development of the Gothic genre.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory section establishes the essay's central argument: that the conventions of the Gothic genre, particularly the concept of sublimity, have undergone significant transformations over time. It introduces the five key aspects of sublimity – passion, terror, obscurity, power, and vastness – that will be analyzed throughout the essay, using examples from three seminal Gothic novels: The Castle of Otranto, The Monk, and Frankenstein. The introduction sets the stage for a comparative analysis of how these aspects of sublimity evolve across the chosen novels, representing a transition in the genre from its inception to its peak.
Definition of Sublimity: This chapter delves into the historical understanding of sublimity, tracing its origins from Longinus's concept of "the echo of greatness of spirit" to Edmund Burke's association of the sublime with terror and pain. The chapter emphasizes Burke's influential categorization of sublimity into passion, terror, obscurity, power, and vastness, a framework that the essay adopts. It further incorporates Immanuel Kant's contrasting of sublimity with beauty, highlighting the significance of uncertainty and scale in the sublime. This chapter provides the crucial theoretical foundation for analyzing the evolution of sublimity in Gothic literature.
The passion of astonishment in the Gothic genre: This section explores the element of "passion" within the sublime, specifically focusing on astonishment as a key characteristic. The analysis contrasts the sources of astonishment in the three chosen novels. In Castle of Otranto, astonishment stems from uncontrollable external events; in The Monk, from the protagonist's internal struggles and moral failings; and in Frankenstein, from the consequences of unchecked ambition. This comparison illuminates a shift in the nature of astonishment, moving from external forces to internal moral failings and ultimately to the consequences of excessive ambition, demonstrating a progression in the thematic concerns of the genre.
Main characters facing terror in the Gothic genre: This chapter analyzes how the experience and response to "terror" evolves across the three novels. In Castle of Otranto, Manfred's response to terror is characterized by a pragmatic, almost self-serving attempt to overcome it. Conversely, Ambrosio in The Monk faces a more complex and multifaceted terror, stemming from conflicting forces. This contrast highlights a growing complexity in the depiction of terror and the characters' responses to it, reflecting broader shifts within the genre. The chapter also implicitly connects this evolving portrayal of terror to the philosophical ideas of Kant, specifically highlighting the element of uncertainty as a key aspect of terror in The Monk.
Keywords
Gothic literature, sublimity, terror, passion, astonishment, Castle of Otranto, The Monk, Frankenstein, Horace Walpole, Matthew Gregory Lewis, Mary Shelley, genre transformation, literary analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this essay?
This essay analyzes the evolution of the concept of sublimity within the Gothic genre from the mid-18th to the early 19th century. It traces this transformation using examples from Horace Walpole's Castle of Otranto, Matthew Lewis's The Monk, and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.
What are the key themes explored in the essay?
The essay explores the evolution of sublimity in Gothic literature, the role of passion, terror, and other sublime elements in shaping Gothic narratives, the shifting sources of astonishment and terror across different time periods, how main characters react to and overcome terror in different Gothic novels, and the influence of philosophical ideas on the Gothic genre's development.
What are the five key aspects of sublimity analyzed in the essay?
The essay focuses on five key aspects of sublimity identified by Edmund Burke: passion, terror, obscurity, power, and vastness. These aspects are examined across the three chosen novels to demonstrate their evolution within the genre.
How does the essay define sublimity?
The essay traces the historical understanding of sublimity, from Longinus's concept to Burke's association with terror and pain. It uses Burke's categorization (passion, terror, obscurity, power, and vastness) as a framework for analysis and also considers Kant's contrasting of sublimity with beauty, emphasizing uncertainty and scale.
How does the essay analyze "passion" in the Gothic genre?
The essay analyzes "passion," specifically astonishment, comparing its sources in the three novels. In Castle of Otranto, astonishment stems from external events; in The Monk, from internal struggles; and in Frankenstein, from unchecked ambition. This shows a shift from external forces to internal moral failings and excessive ambition.
How does the essay analyze "terror" in the Gothic genre?
The essay analyzes how characters experience and respond to terror. Manfred in Castle of Otranto reacts pragmatically, while Ambrosio in The Monk faces more complex terror. This highlights the growing complexity of terror's depiction and characters' responses, reflecting broader genre shifts. The analysis implicitly connects this to Kant's ideas, emphasizing uncertainty as a key aspect of terror, particularly in The Monk.
What novels are used as case studies in this essay?
The essay uses The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole, The Monk by Matthew Gregory Lewis, and Frankenstein by Mary Shelley as primary examples to illustrate the evolution of sublimity within the Gothic genre.
What is the overall argument of the essay?
The essay argues that the conventions of the Gothic genre, especially the concept of sublimity, underwent significant transformations over time. It demonstrates this through a comparative analysis of how the five aspects of sublimity evolve across the three chosen novels, representing a transition from the genre's inception to its peak.
What are the keywords associated with this essay?
Keywords include Gothic literature, sublimity, terror, passion, astonishment, Castle of Otranto, The Monk, Frankenstein, Horace Walpole, Matthew Gregory Lewis, Mary Shelley, genre transformation, and literary analysis.
- Quote paper
- Kwan Lung Chan (Author), 2020, The Conventions of the Gothic Genre, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/906429
