19th century american gothic novels

The 19th - century American Gothic novels often had elements of the supernatural. Ghosts, witches, and other uncanny beings were common. Also, they frequently explored themes of madness and the breakdown of the human psyche. The social and cultural context of the time, such as the fear of the unknown in a rapidly expanding nation, influenced these elements. For instance, Hawthorne's works often delved into the Puritan past and the sense of guilt associated with it, which added to the Gothic atmosphere.

Edgar Allan Poe was a very prominent one. His works, such as 'The Fall of the House of Usher', are full of Gothic elements like decay, madness, and the supernatural.

American Gothic short stories from the 19th century are typically defined by their focus on the macabre, complex characters with hidden secrets, and a sense of foreboding. Settings are often old, decaying, and isolated.

The 20th century gothic novels are marked by certain features. They tend to blend elements of horror and romance. There are often themes of isolation, as seen in characters being cut off from the outside world in some way, whether it's in a remote castle or a small, secluded village. The use of symbolism is also common, such as the storm representing chaos or a particular flower symbolizing death or love. These elements work together to create a unique literary experience that both thrills and makes the reader think.

They often feature supernatural elements such as ghosts, vampires or other unearthly creatures. For example, in some 17th - century gothic novels, the appearance of a ghostly figure in an abandoned wing of a castle drives the plot forward. The characters in these novels are usually complex, with the hero or heroine often being in a state of distress or facing some sort of inner turmoil. This could be due to a family curse or being trapped in a menacing situation within the gothic setting.

They often have elements like gloomy settings, such as old castles. There's also a sense of mystery and the supernatural. For example, in 'The Castle of Otranto', the appearance of giant figures and strange happenings create an eerie atmosphere.

These serial novels were sometimes a reflection of the changing society. As America was evolving in the 19th century, with industrialization and westward expansion, novels like those in the list often incorporated these elements. They might show the contrast between rural and urban life, or the impact of new ideas on traditional communities. For example, some novels explored how new religious or philosophical ideas were affecting people's lives in different regions of the country.

American literature in the 19th and 20th centuries covered many different schools and some famous works are listed below: 19th century: - The Adventures of Tom sawyer by Mark Twain - Owen's The Jeff Bezos Story - Oliver Twist by Dickens - Jane Austen's Pride and Predict - The creator of the Harry Potter series, JK Rowling 20th century: - The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemmingway - Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury - Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude - Nabokov's Lolita - Maugham's The Moon and Sixpence - Lao She's Teahouse In addition to the works listed above, there are many other famous American literary works such as Ernest Hemmingway's The Sun Also Rises, Wilson's War and Peace, Calvino's One Hundred Years of Solitude, etc.

Typically, they have elements of mystery. For example, in 'The Castle of Otranto', there are strange happenings like the appearance of a gigantic helmet that crush people, and the mystery of why these things occur keeps the reader intrigued.

Well, 'Carmilla' by Sheridan Le Fanu is a notable 19th - century gothic novel. It features a female vampire, which was quite different from the more common male vampire stories at the time. Then there's 'Uncle Silas' by Sheridan Le Fanu as well. It has a suspenseful plot filled with mystery and a sense of impending doom. And 'The Mysteries of Udolpho' by Ann Radcliffe, which was extremely popular in the 19th century. It has all the hallmarks of gothic literature like a young heroine in a forbidding castle, secret passages, and an air of mystery.