Studying American Gothic Fiction: A Practical Guide

American Gothic pic

Umberto Eco once quipped that writers would write for others writers while the non-writers were thinking of their neighbors and the manager of the local bank, afraid that they might be snowflakes. You squirmed at the statement, as you don't see yourself in the company of the great American authors. Yet. And the subject was American Gothic Fiction. Roald Dahl conducted a study on ghost stories, and found out that the best works were written by women. It's true that there's an overlapping of ghost stories and American Gothic Fiction, so let's differentiate one from the other.

Gothic would be more than the shadow, even if it would be one of its defining traits. It alludes to the dark side of human nature, and a Gothic story wouldn't be complete without a humongous house as its setting. The architectural design would suggest bygone times, which should pique your curiosity. If those walls could talk, then you might listen for several days, if not more than a week. And don't be surprised if the tales would include sinister elements. American Gothic Fiction wouldn't be less appealing, if not worse, than the Gothic stories written by British authors. There wasn't any doubt about the influence, yet some titles could hold on its own. If you're thinking of Edgar Allan Poe's short stories, then you're perfectly right about it. You would cite "The House of the Seven Gables:", even if the ending won't be the one you've been expecting (while reading the earlier chapters). Some would cite "American Gods", but Neil Gaiman's origin might make him an exception. It doesn't matter, as you're about to learn the other notable titles under this genre.

The study of American Gothic Fiction doesn't limit to the finest works by the authors who were believers of Transcendentalism. Your professor would be impressed if you could cite recent works, if not titles that were published during the second half of the 20th century. And it would be a waste of time if you would praise these works. After all, literary criticism suggests eating more than you can chew. Don’t be afraid.

Notable Books to Read (and Write About)

Lewis Barnavelt novels. John Bellairs published "The House with a Clock in Its Walls" in 1973. It was about Lewis Barnavelt, a chubby orphan, who relocated to New Zebedee, Michigan. Bellairs must have been a huge fan of Poe, as his description of this northern community would remind Poe fans of his hair-raising tales (such as "The Pit and the Pendulum"). Lewis lived with Jonathan Barnavelt, his uncle, and his next-door neighbor, Florence Zimmermann. Uncle Jonathan was a mediocre warlock while Mrs. Zimmermann preferred the color purple. The three-story house, which had clocks all over, was once owned by another warlock, Isaac Izard. If you've seen the big-screen adaptation of the novella (starring Jack Black and Cate Blanchett as Uncle Jonathan and Mrs. Zimmermann respectively), then you would wonder why director Eli Roth turned Bellairs's unsettling tale into another Potter-esque adventure. Roth might suggest that J.K. Rowling found her inspiration from the young Barnavelt, Some would point out the young wizard of Earthsea, but they might forget that eleven sequels followed "The House with a Clock in Its Walls". (Lewis became an astronomer. Brad Strickland penned the latter sequels.) Do you think that Poe wouldn't connect to the younger viewers (or readers)? This could be a good essay topic if you have all the information to make an interesting comparison (and contrast as well). Citing Roger Corman should help you persuade your professor.

Did Shirley Jackson believe in ghosts? The opening paragraph and final paragraph of "The Haunting of Hill House" would contain these exact words: "Hill House, not sane, stood by itself against its hills, holding darkness within; it had stood so for eighty years and might stand for another eighty years. Within, walls continued upright, bricks met neatly, floors were firm, and doors were sensibly shut; silence lay steadily against the wood and stone of Hill House, and whatever walked there, walked alone." Jackson would hint on ambiguity, making readers wonder if Eleanor Vance witnessed restless souls (wandering Hill House) or her emotional turmoil affecting her better judgment. It should remind you of "The Turning of the Screw", yet it must be important to compare this novel to the terrifying short stories of Rosemary Timperley (or A. M. Burrage), who wouldn't doubt about ghosts. Pick a side.

Did Elizabeth Kostova celebrate her (Eastern European) heritage? It might seem odd that vampire folklore would define Eastern Europe. After all, author Elizabeth Kostova wrote about the rich Bulgarian culture in "The Shadow Land", her third (and most recent) novel. But nothing would top "The Historian", her debut novel. Kostova should be commended (or criticized) for the ambitious scope of her epic novel, as her book would span three millennia. From the old abbey in the Pyrenees to a remote monastery in the Bulgarian countryside, Kostova would suggest that the vampires would shape European history. If you find it hard to believe, then you must do your research into other cultures. You might find an interesting piece of information about a temple in Bali.

Here’s an Important Thing about American Gothic Fiction

You’re not writing from a point of view of a fan, but rather argue if the younger audience still finds Gothic elements interesting at all. You must be able to conclude if the recent titles would be better than the classics. In this regard, you must search for other authors (under this genre). It won’t be difficult to start a conversation on it. Don’t get carried away, as you have other modules to look into.

 

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