Gothic literature is characterized by:
Grosteque Characters
Bizzare situations
Violent events

It originated in the 19th century
Poe, Hawthorne, and King

Romanticisim: limitations of reason
Celebrate individual spirit, emotions, imagination are the basic elements of human nature
Fascinated by the super natural

Washington Irving
Romantic preoccupation with atmosphere, sentiment, and optimism.

Transcendentalism:
transcendant forms of truth exist beyond reason and experience.
Every individual is capable of discovering this higher truth on his or her own through intotion.

The Dark side of individualism
Gothic architecture- Towers, gargoyles
High stain glass windows to inspire awe and fear
Imaginate destortion of reality

Threshold of the unknown- fantastic, demonic and the insane reside

Romantics see hope
Gothics see evil

Edgar Allen Poe:
Dark midevil castle, decaying ancient estates, weird and terrifying events
Male is insane
Girl is dead or dying, beautiful
Extreme situations, live burials, mental torture

Only when you put to the extreme can you see the dark side.

Hawthorne- fear, greed, vanity, mistrust, betrayl