To what extent do you think gothic literature is characterised by a fascination with death? Notions of 'death' manifest themselves into gothic texts in numerous ways, throught plot, setting and through both characters perceptions, and reactions to death, thus one interpretation is that gothic literature has become fascinated by death. Death, represents arguably one of the main provokers of human fear. It is the ultimate unknown and stimulates feelings of both horror and terror, the sickening apprehension at the mere thought of death and consequently the dismal realisation.Gothic texts are known for the promise of the sickly addictive combination of both horror and terror, thus it is almost inevitable then, that 'death' too has become an archetypal feature. To an increasingly large extent gothic literature is concerned with and obsession or fascination with death, however some may argue that this notion of death presents merely a sole characteristic of the gothic, and that perhaps there are alternative features that take predominance over it, such as the supernatural.
Henry’s death is one of the most important moments of the novel and is another in the sequence of deaths of people close to Victor. He recalls those of William and Justine, and Elizabeth’s murder at the hands of the monster is yet to come. These deaths arouse in Victor not only a sense of grief and loss, but also strong feelings of guilt and despair because he realises that, ultimately, he is responsible for what has happened . Victor is the narrator of the passage and his only listener is Captain Walton. Walton recieves what is the first of many rhetorical questions in this passage.
Autumn, in literature, frequently symbolizes the weakening of life. Fall is a melancholy time of dryness and crumbling decay, much like Gatsby when he loses Daisy for a second and final time. Also, when a dream dies, many deaths are sure to follow. Gatsby’s death was foreshadowed when his dream – the American Dream that he clung to for all his young adult life – was shattered. He died along with his hopes.
These intense moments include discovering death, which is expressed through the poem “South of my days” and “Looking for Alibrandi”, this is also a negative discovery, The idea that times and memories are lost when people pass. Another discovery made is the discovery of something shocking, experienced in “Martin and the hand grenade” and “Looking for Alibrandi.” This would be a negative discovery too. These composers use a variety of techniques to show these intense discoveries and moments such as imagery, personification, metaphors, similes and alliteration.
Literary Analysis Essay Edgar Allen Poe’s poem, “The Raven,” shows commonly known characteristics that are repeated throughout the Dark Romanticism era. Dark Romanticism is known for its very dark view of the world, insanity, murder, death, evil, supernatural events, sins, etc. “The Raven” is about a man who is visited by a raven one December night. In the poem we learn that the narrator is trying to get over his lost love, Lenore. He thinks the raven might be Lenore.
Since he had so many deaths in his life he wrote this poem to express how he sees death taking over locations that were once spectacular and are now in grieve and the absence of the liveliness. This poem shows an image of how death rises and becomes a higher power and taking away the light. The outcome of all the pain and horror that follows in deaths footprints in a city isolated by water is seen as a putrid
Lady Macbeth’s Suicide Note My dearest partner in heinous crime, the dark has come. Hell enshrouds me. I am like a child afraid of the dark. I must keep the candles lit at all hours. My childhood eyes see in the darkness the “painted devils.” (Act 1 Scene 2) My ears hear the “owl scream” and the “crying crickets” and the “croaking raven” (Act 2 Scene 5) - all rob my sleep.
(Edgar, np) Later in life Poe suffered from alcoholism and depression. (Edgar, np) In the short stories “Cask of Amontillado” and “Fall of the House of Usher” Poe’s influences of death and mental illness are clearly shown. Edgar’s life is evident in his literature. Poe was surrounded by death in his life and this influence can be seen in the “Cask of Amontillado”. The death of his mother tormented him severely.
The Cask of Amontillado There are many different occasions where readers see that Poe used foreshadowing to show that Fortunato will ultimately die within the catacombs. Edgar Allan Poe also uses irony throughout the whole story as well to show that Fortunato will perish. Poe has a very unique and dark style of writing and it is shown greatly throughout this story. In "The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe, the author shows foreshadowing and irony of Fortunato’s death through the actions, dialog, and setting of the story. Edgar Allan Poe, who was born in 1809 has works of art that have influenced many other writers throughout time (Kirszner and Mandell).
Life in the midst of death is a popular theme in literature. This theme was portrayed in the short story "A Prayer from the Living" and the poem "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night". These works of literature analyze a person’s thought as they die. How you might expect a person to feel and react to the idea of death might be different from how they actually do. I chose these pieces specifically because they describe death in multiple situations and personalities.