Gothic Novel, as
explained during the class is basically a mixture of several categories such as
horror, thriller, and Romanism. However, through further researches I did after
class I was able to find out that there was a whole lot of more story behind
this Gothic style. As it turned out this "The Tell-Tale Heart"
doesn't actually fit in cozily into the definition of Gothic but covers the key
compositions needed to build a Gothic story. So first I would elaborate on the elements
of Gothic covered by the text, and then move on to the other components that
makes up the rest of Gothic Fiction.
There are mainly
three elements blended in this story.
The atmosphere
of mystery and suspense(Horror)
It is no bluffing to say that this is the most
important point in the Gothic Literature. For the whole point of the Gothic is
focused on to create a gloomy mood. There are several parts found in this text that shows this kind
of atmosphere. To begin with there is "I think it was his eye! yes, it was
this! One of his eyes resembled that of a vulture - a pale blue eye, turning my
blood cold whenever it fell upon me." From this the readers are able to sniff
the suspected tension that is building between the man and the old man. Moving
on the part "I undid the lantern cautiously - oh, so cautiously -
cautiously - I undid it just so much that a single thin ray fell upon the
vulture eyes" can also show the readers how strained situation was taking
place. Lastly from the scene where the man cuts the old man's body with absolutely
no remorse at all creates the kind of horror that just makes your hair stand on
end.
Overflow of
emotion(Romanism)
Another factor that couldn't be missed is the overflow
of emotion exploding in a short period of time. For example at the time when
the man finally sees the blue eyes opened at the 8th day of his visit. His fury
basically explodes and his urge to kill and to savor the moment strongly imitates
through the text. In addition to that, the other situation when the man snaps
at the end of the story(" Villains! I shrieked, dissemble no more! I admit
the deed! - tear up the planks! - here here it is the beating of his hideous
heart!") also projects huge over flow of emotion such as remorse and
confusion.
Metaphors
that resemble such things as gloom and horror
Lastly there are not much to say about this topic. But
is insisted to pick out some things that might have different meanings, there
would be Blue Eyes, Lantern, Old man, Police officers, etc..... Mere as this
may seem like this provides the way for this story to be understood in various
ways.
So to leave the
previous part behind I would next move on to the elements not handled by the
text. But before we elaborate there is a need to know more about the
backgrounds of the Gothic Literature.
To make the long
story short we only need to know the fact that the Gothicism's origin is attributed to
English author Horace Walpole, with his 1764 novel The Castle of Oranto. So after having our mind based on these facts we would know
look at other elements that composes the Gothic Style.
Setting in Caste
As
mentioned before for the very start of the Gothic novel was The Castle of Oranto its
main settings was usually held in Castles.
Ancient Sayings
Although
it wasn't presented in the story, Ancient sayings are usually included to emit
more horror or uncertainty to the atmosphere. For example, 'it is said that the
ghost of a old man still wonders these halls."
Women in distress
As a
way to highlight the sympathy to the readers, the writer includes the scenery
where the women are put into a situation which often leaves them fainting,
sobbing, screaming, etc... And through this, the writer can lead more attention
to the literature itself.
To
wrap it up, these 6 factors are the composition of the Gothic fiction and the
first three mentioned are the one covered by the story.
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