Abstract
The paper looks at the use of American Gothic in three works, John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress," Richard Wright's "Native Son" and the Charles Laughton directed film, "The Night of the Hunter". The paper shows how gothic elements such as terror, heightened emotionalism, foreboding, dreamscapes and the supernatural are all used to broaden the reading or viewing experience of the audience. The paper also explains the underlying concept of "inescapability". The paper concludes that these works are all among the finest of the American Gothic tradition.

From the Paper
"In Pilgrim's Progress, at least three elements of American Gothic - the use of foreshadowing, emotional tension, and the use of the supernatural ("Typical Elements of American Gothic Fiction," no.5 and no.8) - are immediately apparent. For one thing, the opening scene of the text depicts the narrator in a dream-like state wherein he envisions a man, clothed in rags with a "great burden" upon his shoulders, reading what is (ostensibly) the Bible and weeping with trepidation; it is shortly thereafter that we discover the man's city is about to be destroyed by heavenly fire and that he sees no escape for his family and for himself (Bunyan, "Part I," para.1-2). Not long thereafter, the spectral Evangelist appears to the distraught Pilgrim and tells him to proceed towards a spot of light (the pilgrim is standing in a great field) which will guide him to a wicket-gate at which he will find all the answers he seeks (Bunyan, "Part I," para.8). The dramatic introduction of this inscrutable figure is wholly in keeping with the supernaturalist elements of the gothic tradition ("Typical Elements of American Gothic Fiction," no.6) and it helps also to make Bunyan's protagonist likeable inasmuch as it emphasizes how the pilgrim is at the inescapable mercy of forces beyond his control."

Tags:terror, emotionalism, foreboding, dreamscapes, supernatural

Abstract
This paper analyzes Edgar Allan Poe's Gothic literary style as seen in his short story "The Black Cat." The paper describes Poe's use of the Gothic in light of the turbulent political changes taking place in the U.S. Literary critic David Punter's definition of Gothic and its application to Poe is cited throughout the paper. The paper concludes that Poe used the Gothic conventions of terror, mystery, and the supernatural to reflect the growing tensions of his society, the burgeoning United States.

From the Paper
"And there are few who would argue that the short stories of Edgar Allan Poe do not encroach onto the fear of their readers. Through a heavy emphasis on terror, "The Black Cat" is a prime example of gothic fiction in the late nineteenth century. Even in the first paragraph, the narrator stresses the terrible story that is about to ensue, "In their consequences, these events have terrified--have tortured--have destroyed me" (Poe 2496). Poe emphasizes the effects of this terror with the narrator's dashed interruption "have tortured", creating a darker mood with each sentence. The simple placement of terror right at the outset of the story foreshadows a dark tale, creating a frightening mood much like what Punter describes."

Tags:19th century literature, short stories, Black Cat

Abstract
This paper explains that, through the medium of sleep, the authors highlight important issues of the age, personal psychology, and the state of the psyche of the nation. The author points out that, through his textual illustration, Brown was highlighting a common fear of time brought about by the birth of liberated thinking and of psychology, a type of hidden monster syndrome, the battle between the subconscious and the conscious mind. The paper relates that Irving intends for sleep to be the medium through which he can examine the past and present states of America, rather than the internal struggle of his character, Rip.

From the Paper
"In the text of "Somnambulism", the main character Althorpe is obsessed with thoughts of imaginary dangers that his love might fall prey to. During an inner dialogue Althorpe says "The evil that menaced was terrible" (1) although he even admits to himself that his fears were "groundless and ridiculous" (2). However, through his uncontrolled obsession he brings about his own greatest fears. While sleeping walking he fulfills his own prophecy and murders the girl by the oak tree. Althorpe looses all control of his own actions and wishes while sleeping."

Tags:psychology, history, althorpe, nation, control

Abstract
The following paper will discuss the differences and similarities between gothic architecture in England and gothic architecture in France and argue that, while the two styles or schools can be differentiated in many ways, the one thing that they each have in common is that each one sought to impress upon the credulous, God-fearing worshipper the might of God and the might of the Church which, in its earthly form, served as God's emissary. To gain a proper appreciation of gothic symbolism, however, a great deal of context is required and many different things will have to be touched upon. Specifically, the next several pages will define the concept, "gothic," will briefly define "gothic" architecture, will describe/define gothic architecture as it manifested itself in England and France, and will take some time to highlight the Romanesque influences (and Islamic influences) which made possible what we now know today as "classic" gothic architecture. With these matters resolved, the paper will discuss why the gothic style would have been adopted in both England and in France (besides the obvious desire to glorify the Christian God) and the distinctions that exist between English and French gothic architecture (they are rather substantial) will be highlighted along with any similarities which might exist to link the two.

From the Paper
Gothic Architecture in England vs. Gothic Architecture in France: A Description of both, Basic Similarities, the Key Differences, Generative Influences, and (most of all) Symbolism The following paper will discuss the differences and similarities between gothic architecture in England and gothic architecture in France and argue that, while the two styles or schools can be differentiated in many ways, the one thing that they each have in common is that each one sought to impress upon the credulous, God-fearing worshipper the might of God and the might of the Church which, in its earthly form, served as God's emissary. To gain a proper appreciation of gothic symbolism, however, a

Tags:symbolism, gothic, architecture

Abstract
Gothic is defined in literature as a genre that has both horror and romance in its plot. Gothic literature-or should I say good gothic literature-has terror and romance. The terror is psychological and physical-there are ghosts, houses that are haunted and all the supernatural things a creative mind can conjure up. However, gothic is romance too. There are secrets, madness and perversity in this genre's love. In gothic fiction, characters represent the self that we struggle to keep hidden from the other people in our lives. This is what makes gothic literature fantasy.

From the Paper
Expectations in Gothic Literature What is Gothic Literature: Gothic is defined in literature as a genre that has both horror and romance in its plot. Gothic literature--or should I say good gothic literature--has terror and romance. The terror is psychological and physical--there are ghosts, houses that are haunted and all the supernatural things a creative mind can conjure up. However, gothic is romance too. There are secrets, madness and perversity in this genre's love. In gothic fiction, characters represent the self that we struggle to keep hidden from the other people in our lives. This is what makes gothic

Tags:gothic, fulfillment, literature

Abstract
The author reviews in detail the "The Last of the Mohicans" and "Wieland". She concludes that they are different in style and genre. Both Cooper and Brown contributed greatly to the development of a distinctly American literature. Cooper adapted the Romance; Charles Brockden Brown adapted the European Gothic novel to the American context. Cooper's influence is seen in frontier fiction; Brown's influence, in the works of Poe and Hawthorne.

From the Paper
"James Fenimore Cooper wrote in the vein of European Romantic writers like Walter Scott, while Charles Brockden Brown recreated the new form of the Gothic novel. Both adapted the original forms to the American experience, which meant not only embedding them in the land but also shifting the focus from aristocratic European characters to the common man in the democratic social order in America. Both Cooper and Brown elevated the common man over any ideas about the superiority of the aristocracy and did so in the American setting."

Tags:land, beauty, savagery, new, world, romance, european, gothic, novel, revolution, common, man, novelist, colonial, period, indian, wilderness, farmhouse, rural, pennsylvania, religion

Abstract
This paper discusses interior design during and after the Gothic revival of the late eighteenth century, noting that True Gothic architecture originally developed from the Romanesque style, emerging in the twelfth century. According to the paper, this style dominated until the beginning of the Renaissance in the fifteenth century. Gothic architecture is noted for size and elaborate decoration. However, Gothic architecture is first defined in terms of a change in Romanesque church architecture when diagonal ribs were added to the groin-vault, as is first seen at the Abbey Church of St. Denis near Paris.

From the Paper
"Gothic architecture developed in the twelfth century and was revived several times, notably with a major revival beginning in the eighteenth century and spreading throughout Europe and to America. Gothic interior design was included, though it changed over this time and was often more an evocation of the Gothic rather than an actual copy of the original style. From the mid-eighteenth century until the rise of Fascism in this century was a long era in Italian history during which certain trends cold be observed that linked the decades together. At the beginning of this era, Italy as a country did not exist. "

Tags:gothic, interior, design

Abstract
The paper discusses what gothic literature is and what its chief features are. From there, the paper looks at how the story is as much a tale of personal decay and a tragic fall as it is anything else, and also shows how Frankenstein has inadvertently created death and chaos. The paper touches upon four other elements of the gothic - the grotesque, horror, despair and the super-natural - and reveals how each one underscores the moral lesson Shelley is trying to impart. The paper demonstrates how Shelley wants to stress the dangerous folly in man thinking he is God - and the gothic genre allows her to do this to an extent that might not otherwise be possible.

From the Paper
"The following paper will provide a literary analysis of Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein". In doing so, the essay will start by briefly stating what gothic literature is and what its chief features are. From there, the paper will then look at how the story is as much a tale of personal decay and a tragic fall (quintessential features of gothic literature) as it is anything else; Victor Frankenstein, for all his failings, seemed to have ahead of him a gilded future until his hubris got in the way. After that theme has been exhausted, the paper will explore how death (another...)"

Tags:gothic, novel, frankenstein

Abstract
The paper explores how the premise of the "Gothic" in Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper" reveals the social, domestic, and psychological factors that imprison and terrify the narrator. The paper demonstrates how the Gothic sensibility of this story is revealed through the psychology that is used in a patriarchal construct in order to control housewives in male dominated 19th century Gothic households. The paper also discusses how the domestic sphere of the narrator's house severely limited her ability to find broader social spheres in which she might find liberation from this patriarchy.

Tags:gilman, gothic, wallpaper

Abstract
The paper describes how the majority of Williams' work is set in the American South, and depicts a gothic feel of the area in which the contemporary decay is pitted against the old refined ways of previous generations. The paper further analyzes the character of Blanche Du Bois from "A Street Car Name Desire". The paper discusses how Williams claimed that the overarching theme in this play was the negative impact that conventional society has upon the sensitive nonconformist individual.

From the Paper
"Laura is based on Williams' sister, who had a frontal lobotomy with her parents' approval and who spent most of life in an institution (Jacobs). Tom is based on Williams himself, who went to work at a shoe factory to help support the family while his father traveled as a traveling salesman (Jacobs). He also explored issues such as homosexuality, sex, domestic violence, and the falsehood of religion within his work, which usually shocked his audiences (Jacobs)."

Tags:O'Connor, Faulkner, Gothic, South, Stella, Jessica, Tandy, 1947