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An Exploration of Gothic Horror Stories Essay

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An Exploration of Gothic Horror Stories Gothic horror is a type of romantic, horror fiction based on irrational fear that predominated in 18th century England. The term 'gothic' originated from the architectural style of the middle ages, but came to describe the dark, terrifying tales that achieved such popularity. Gothic horror can be determined by many things which exist in all gothic horror stories, for example eerie settings such as gothic monasteries, bleak comfortless castles, grave yards and cobwebbed rooms lit by guttering candles. It can also be determined by a unique character such as a beast, monster, ghost, evil creature and innocent person. Usually the innocent person is killed …show more content…

All three stories were written in the 19th century. They were all set at the same time when they were written. This is a good effect because at the time when they were written, horror stories containing superstition and the macabre were popular because the people at that time believed in witchcraft, ghosts and demons. The location of the action is of great importance in the gothic novel because it creates an atmosphere and feeling to the story. 'The Judges House' is located in the dining room of an old, quiet and isolated house. An old, rambling, heavy built house, this creates a scary atmosphere thus matching the typical setting of a gothic horror story. It goes on to describe the dining room as a, room in darkness, this also creates a scary and terrifying atmosphere because you cant see in the dark and you don't know what's in the dark, this also is an essential gothic horror element because darkness creates a creepy and scary atmosphere. 'The Tell Tale Heart' is located in a house that is probably old as a lantern is used by the narrator, this creates a scary atmosphere like the 'Judges House' because you cant see in the dark and you don't know what is in the darkness so the reader imagines things that create the scary atmosphere,

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