How to Study... Gothic fiction
"Beautiful things are fragile. At home, we have only black moths. Commitable creatures, to be sure, but they lack beauty. They thrive on the dark in a cold. They feed on butterflies, I'm afraid."
- Lucille Sharpe ("Crimson Peak", 2015)
Guillermo del Toro surely knows his Gothic fiction. Fans of the Mexican filmmaker didn't expect him to do a Gothic picture, as his previous work was a throwback to Toho's monster flicks. "Crimson Peak" was about Edith Cushing's search for an inspiration for her novel. The young heiress recalled her mother's funeral, and a specter, resembling her mother's, warning her of what was about to happen in the distant future. Edith couldn't be blamed for not trying to understand it, as she wanted to follow Mary Shelley's footsteps.
Edith became the young wife of Sir Thomas Sharpe many years later. He brought her to Allerdale Hall, a dilapidated mansion far from London. The house was more than she wished for. She lost count of the number of rooms. The roof was partially damaged, which would make the interior colder. And the howling wind could be heard at night. It reminded her of those who have met violent death. All of these would play tricks on Edith's mind.
The screenplay of "Crimson Peak" could have been written by Edgar Allan Poe. Some would see a mash-up of "Washington Square" and "Rebecca", but this was Guillermo del Toro admiring Gothic fiction. And those who study this genre can learn a few things. There's a pattern. Let's analyze it:
The story must be set in a humongous house. It wouldn't be a Gothic picture if it's a cramped space with basic necessities. Think of Jonathan Harker's journey to Transylvania, and his first reaction upon meeting Count Dracula. Some will be overwhelmed by the castle, where Bram Stoker laid striking details. This would elicit our romantic aspirations, only to be distorted along the way. You may not like what comes next, but it's too late to back off.
You're looking at a blank space. It has nothing to do with Taylor Swift. Expect empty sections in a mansion, which revealed a disturbing picture. The owner missed something (or someone). A transformation took place. And the outcome wasn't a pretty sight. Readers would notice it, after staring at a damp spot on the ceiling. It could be a cobweb in the corner. And the shadow. It won't be hard to imagine a frightening scenario.
It can be the man in the mirror. Gothic novels can scare anyone, which makes it fun to read. But readers won't encounter monsters from the netherworld. It can be a representation of a corrupt soul. (Think of Dorian Gray.) In the case of "Crimson Park", the mansion is the product of diabolic thoughts and unspeakable deeds. Abuse, slaughter, incest. Time for a good night sleep.
