Time periods

• Age of Enlightenment [1685-1815](early gothic)


  -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