Gothic novel: Encyclopedia II - Gothic novel - Origins of the gothic novel

Gothic novel - Origins of the gothic novel

The term "gothic" was originally a disparaging term applied to a style of medieval architecture (Gothic architecture) and art (Gothic art). The opprobrious term "gothick" was embraced by the 18th century proponents of the gothic revival, a forerunner of the Romantic genres. Gothic revival architecture, which became popular in the nineteenth century, was a reaction to the classical architecture that was a hallmark of the Age of Reason.

In a way similar to the gothic revivalists' rejection of the clarity and rationalism of the neoclassical style of the Enlightened Establishment, the term "gothic" became linked with an appreciation of the joys of extreme emotion, the thrill of fearfulness and awe inherent in the sublime, and a quest for atmosphere. The ruins of gothic buildings gave rise to multiple linked emotions by representing the inevitable decay and collapse of human creations -- thus the urge to add fake ruins as eyecatchers in English landscape parks. English Protestants were inclined to associate medieval buildings with a dark and terrifying period, characterized by the Roman Catholic Church's oppression of people with harsh laws, torture, and superstitious rituals.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Origins of the gothic novel", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki