Compare and contrast three 19th Century gothic short stories commenting upon the authors' use of gothic conventions of horror and the supernatural

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English Coursework                                                                              Mrs. Spalton

Compare and contrast three 19th Century gothic short stories commenting upon the authors’ use of gothic conventions of horror and the supernatural

Gothic novels were very popular in the late 18th century, early 19th century, and were characterised by an atmosphere of mystery horror and a sense of the unknown. Good examples include Ann Radcliffe’s; The Mystery of Udolpho (1794) and Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein (1818). In Gothic stories and tales, haunted settings such as castles, crypts, convents, or gloomy mansions, in images of ruin and decay, and in episodes of imprisonment, cruelty, and persecution were used. Until this day, the genre of the gothic has influenced the style of writing, poetry and also film making. Creating an ample setting and atmosphere are important features of the gothic.

Gothic literature is generally believed to have begun in the year 1765 with the publication of ‘The Castle of Otranto’ by Horace Walpole. He is said to be the one who set forth this the genre. It was at a time of industrial revolution when the gothic became increasingly popular.  He made use of the superstitions of the past, without believing in them, as a means of freeing the imagination. The title of the novel also gives us a clue to some of the essential elements of Gothic literature. The key word here is ‘castle’. Because Gothic literature often focuses on huge and ancient buildings such as castles. Those ancient buildings may be viewed as symbolic of the unique atmosphere of Gothic literature.

Cliff hangers and twists are often portrayed in the genre of short stories. The basic elements of a short story include a beginning, in which the reader is thrown into action. The tension contained in the story rises to a high extent and the end usually consists of a cliff hanger or twist. High tension is usually sustained throughout a short story, as apposed to novels, which also incorporate anti- climaxes. Short stories can often be didactic and seek to tell a moral truth.

I am comparing and contrasting three 19th century gothic short stories. The Stories in which I have chosen to about are: ‘An Arrest’ by Ambrose Bierce, ‘Napoleon and The Spectre’, Charlotte Bronte and the ‘Signalman’ by Charles Dickens.

‘An Arrest’ by Ambrose Bierce is written in a 3rd person narrative and is a violent story incorporating a ghost and the supernatural. Mystery and suspense are carried out dramatically throughout the story. This is one of the shortest short stories and fails in some ways to engage the reader due to its lack of length however as a ghost story it works well. Orrin Bower is sent to jail for committing the murder of his brother-in-law. Orin Brower, the main character, returns to the prison after being chased by what seemed to be his dead victim, leaving many unanswered questions. This allows the reader to come to their own conclusion. Upon his return he is greeted with the dead body of the jailer lying on the reception desk.

Before having read the first line, a preliminary interpretation of action is given, in the title, ‘An Arrest.’ The story follows the short story convention of throwing the reader into the plot. ‘Having murdered his brother- in- law.’ This line has already created a fear within the reader, towards the character being spoken about.

Due to the shortness of this story there is not a lot of description in the story. The story follows the gothic convention of a gloomy setting and atmosphere, “from the county jail.” Jails are usually thought of as disgusting places, full of gloom horror and bad actions. A setting such as this gives a stereotypical image of Orrin Brower; a brutal and thug- like man. The setting later goes on to be in a forest, “forest into an old road.” The use of a forest provides a perfect, chilling atmosphere without explicit detail since the emotion of fear is already associated with an isolated, gloomy forest. The night sky is deficient of stars and the moon, and this sets a very gothic mood; “the night was pretty dark, neither moon nor stars visible” this is very typically gothic and creates an atmospheric mood. The setting of the forest “wilder than it is now” this promotes the idea of darkness and the fact that Orrin Bower does not know the area which creates tension. This is presented again but about the sky “moon sealed into a patch of unclouded sky” this also promotes an eerie feeling and a very gothic image with moons and dark sky typical gothic features.

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Simple and spare language is used at the beginning of this story, “and opening the outer door, walked out into the night.” The listing used here also helps to aid the rhythm and pace. The language tone soon turns from simple to mundane, “he did not wish to assist in his own pursuit.” The change in language adds to the gothic atmosphere and also mounts tension. High and intense action can be seen from the very beginning of the story, when Brower attacks the jailer, “knocking down his jailer with an iron bar.” The language used here adds ...

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