-Period marked by an emphasis on reason, science, and individualism, significantly influencing literature and culture
-Contrasted gothic as in the age of enlightenment reason and rationality were favoured over mystery and emotion
-Period also promoted themes of progress and individualism
French revolution [1789-1799] (early gothic)
-Period has a profound impact on the gothic genre
-Key themes included chaos and disorder; fear of the unknown; Tyranny and Oppression; Violence and Horror; Class struggle and social change; Ruins and Decay; Psychological Turmoil; Subversion of tradition
Romantic period [1800-1850] (romantic period)
-Romanticism emphasised intense emotion and imagination, which Gothic literature amplified through its exploration of fear, passion, and the sublime
-The Romantic fascination with the mysterious and the supernatural was central to Gothic literature
-Romanticism's celebration of rebellion against societal norms and conventions paralleled the Gothic genre's exploration of transgressive themes
Queen Victoria reign [1837-1901] (Victorian era)
-The Victorian era's strict social norms around gender and sexuality influenced Gothic literature's exploration of repressed desires and forbidden relationships
-The rapid growth of cities and industrial landscapes created a backdrop of progress and alienation.
-Despite the era's outward prosperity, Gothic literature often focused on decay and ruin, symbolising the fragility of human achievements
Queen Victoria reign [1837-1901] (Victorian era)
-As traditional religious beliefs waned, Gothic literature explored themes of spiritual crisis, moral ambiguity, and existential dread
-The expansion of the British Empire introduced Gothic literature to exotic locales and colonial anxieties
-The Victorian era's stark class divisions influenced Gothic narratives, which frequently depicted the tensions between the wealthy elite and the impoverished masses
-First wave Femnism [1848-1928] (Victorian era):
-Focus on women suffrage(All women get the vote in 1928)
-The Gothic genre reflected the emergence of the "New Woman," a feminist ideal of an independent, educated, and self-sufficient woman
-Gothic literature began to emphasise the importance of female solidarity and friendship
-The Gothic genre frequently explored themes of madness and hysteria, reflecting contemporary anxieties about women's mental health
First wave Femnism [1848-1928] (Victorian era)
-Gothic novels often subverted traditional ideals of domesticity, portraying homes as sites of horror rather than safety
-Themes of confinement and escape became prevalent in Gothic literature, symbolising women's fight against societal and domestic restrictions
-Gothic literature increasingly featured strong, complex female protagonists who challenged traditional gender roles
-First-wave feminism's challenge to traditional gender norms also influenced Gothic literature's exploration of female sexuality
Fin de siécle [1880-1900] (Modern era)
-As the 19th century drew to a close, there was widespread anxiety about the future and the stability of social structures
-The fin de siècle period was marked by a fascination with decadence and moral decline
-The advancements of the Industrial Revolution and the rise of modern technology introduced new anxieties about the impact of these changes on human life
-The fin de siècle period was marked by a growing openness to exploring previously taboo subjects, including sexuality
Second wave feminism [1960s] (modern era)
-Gothic writers began to subvert traditional narratives and conventions, offering alternative perspectives that centred women's experiences
-The violence and trauma experienced by women, both physical and psychological, became important themes
-Themes of madness and mental health, particularly in relation to women, were explored with greater depth and sensitivity
-Second-wave feminism's focus on sexual liberation and the right to bodily autonomy influenced Gothic literature's exploration of female sexuality
Second wave feminism [1960s] (modern era)
-Gothic literature during the second-wave feminist era often featured critiques of patriarchal power and its oppressive effects on women
-Traditional female archetypes such as the damsel in distress or the femme fatale were reimagined in more complex and nuanced ways