5 Surefire Ways to Ace Your Essay on a Gothic Novel
"The Nun", which is showing in theaters, has all the features of Gothic fiction. Corin Hardy may have used Umberto Eco's "The Name of the Rose" as his reference while composing the plot, but there wouldn't be any doubt about the (virginal) nun, the older (and possibly foolish) abbess, and the night walks. If these characteristics aren't constant, then you might not be studying it on your second, if not third, year in the English Department.
If you're assigned to write a paper on a Gothic novel, then you must remember that the story doesn't have to include the supernatural elements. In this regard, the Brontë sisters should be part of the module. This may surprised you, but think for a minute (or less). Fear, if not the emotional aesthetic of the story, should be the core where the characters, locations, and the entire plot would come from. In other words, unsettling emotions could be the cause of fear. It would sow terror on the audience. There's more to Gothic fiction than a walk on the dark side, though.
Political memory could have an unsettling effect, which isn't hard to figure out. (In the case of "The Nun", the events took place in 1952. It marked the fourth year since the Eastern European nation became a satellite of the Soviet Union. And southern Transylvania was a backwater.) Cultural fears would factor as well. (Are you scared of the black cat? Think twice.) It would turn Gothic fiction into an exciting literary genre, and there's no need to think too hard about the titles. ("A Christmas Carol" should be a good reason.) Before you reach this point, it's important to identify the distinctive elements that define Gothic fiction. You wouldn't struggle in your assignment writing after you sort it out.
Gothic Fiction Didn't Spring From Nowhere
The Medieval one. This may be the most definite component of a Gothic novel, prompting you to wonder why not a modern setting. It would be possible, but authors (of Gothic fiction) couldn't help but include a cemetery. There would be carvings that should recall the Middle Age. It should be the mystery that lures readers to a Gothic story, even if they're aware of a (possibly) fatal outcome. Furthermore, a medieval one adds layers to a scary tale. It would be history, which should put a unique perspective into an otherwise simple story. It's up to you to make one.
If it's not the castle, then it must be the abbey. Director Hardy would know that Transylvania is equivalent to horror, but there's no sighting of Count Dracula in the southern part of that so-called dark region. James Wan and Gary Dauberman have thought of a sprawling castle, probably constructed in the 10th century, and includes a portal to a netherworld. Horror film fans may recall Michele Soavi's "The Church", which should dispel any doubts about other kinds of dwellings. It would validate the Medieval hype, and the fatalistic atmosphere in the Benedictine monastery (in "The Name of the Rose") should make you look forward to the next component.
Weak clergy. There's a religious aspect behind Gothic fiction, which would be linked to Biblical tales about man's fall from grace. It might make you wonder about the other (literature) genres overlapping a particular Gothic novel, but there's no need to discuss each genre in great detail. Keep in mind that the clergy has been a force to reckon with. They have always been. (Elizabeth Kostovo didn't make it a primary theme in "The Historian", which explored the vampire legends that might influence the course of events in Europe during the last ten centuries or so. There were brief mentions instead.) It should be tempting to go into American culture, citing Edgar Allan Poe in particular. There's nothing wrong about it, which the next component points out.
The macabre and the morbid. It won't be called Gothic fiction without the scenery of decay and death. Poe would do a brilliant job in putting a curtain over it while describing the castellated abbey of Prince Prospero. It doesn't make “The Masque of the Red Death” less intriguing to readers, as the effects hardly affect the overall impact (on readers). There are other factors that must be taken into play, which would be highlighted later. The final component could take you back.
Miraculous survival. Your first guess would be a happy ending, which depends on how you look at the story. It could be the inevitable (like "The Masque of the Red Death") or a probable open ending (like "Rebecca"). It would be mixed emotions, without a doubt.
The Important Role of Architecture (in Gothic Fiction)
It's impossible not to take note of the author's description of the architecture, where you may appreciate the details. If you lose interest, then you would be in serious trouble. It's a stern reminder of how you must set the tone on your paper, as the architectural design would suggest that Gothic authors favor the imagination over rationalism. It's the only way to heighten the emotions, leading to fear.
The other components include the notable presence of bandits, the gradual descent into insanity, and heroes (or villains) possessing supernatural powers. These factors seem to represent other genres, which should serve as a warning. Your essay on a certain Gothic novel, which consists of several pages or more, might turn out to be incomplete. Your professor would appreciate the great extent that you would do. You must not worry about the limited time, as facts would matter less here. Think of the long (winter) nights. Imagine what could break the silence, which may unnerve you. Autumn is around the corner, but you fear that it might turn out to be shorter than you think.
