The Gothic Within 19Th Century Literature

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19th Century Literature Discuss the ways in which the Gothic genre shaped 19th Century literature. The influence of the Gothic genre is undeniable in the shaping of many 19 Century novels and short stories. In order to illustrate this I will examine the influence of the Gothic as a genre on three texts that span this period. Firstly, Jane Austin’s Northanger Abbey first published in 1803, secondly Emily Bronte`’s Wuthering Heights written a little later in 1847 and finally a short story called The sign of The Four, written in 1890 by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. In each of these texts the Gothic influence is used to shape the literature in differing ways, creating different effects. In this essay I will highlight these influences and explain reasons why the Authors chose to use the ‘Gothic’ devices. The earliest of these is Austin’s Northanger Abbey. This Austin’s first published Novel is often referred to as a "Gothic parody"1 because it satirizes the form and conventions of the Gothic novels that were popular during the time. A number of Gothic novels are mentioned in the book, including most importantly The Mysteries of Udolpho and The Italian by Ann Radcliffe. Austen also satirizes Clermont, a Gothic novel by Regina Maria Roache. As well as a list of seven somewhat minor Gothic works, known as the ’Northanger Horrid Novels’ . In the novel Isabella Thorpe claims to have a library of such literature and recommends these books to Catherine Morland. Catherine reads Udolpho during her time at Bath, and it is suggested that she has read similar novels before, the two women plan to further their reading of the gothic once Catherine has finished Udolpho. “Dear creature! how much I am obliged to you; and when you have finished Udolpho, we will read The Italian together; and I have made out a list of ten or twelve more of the same kind for you.” “Have you,
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