Gothic Genre Conventions in Dracula
English Lit: OCR A Level Dracula, topic 1.1.3
Gothic Genre Conventions in Dracula
You don't need to know an exhaustive list of Gothic genre conventions for the exam. But the following ideas are significant in relation to Dracula:
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The past
- Gothic tales are rooted in the past, both in terms of setting and narrative, relying on superstitious beliefs.
Supernatural beings
- Supernatural beings, such as ghosts, monsters and demons.
Real-life locations
- These supernatural elements are incorporated within real-life locations - typically isolated buildings, castles and country manors. These buildings are home to dark family secrets, hidden knowledge gradually discovered by the protagonist.
Dreams and nightmares
- Dreams and nightmares, where the boundaries between reality and illusion become difficult to discern.
Test yourself on Gothic Genre Conventions in Dracula
Which of these is NOT a common feature of Gothic literature?
In which time period are Gothic novels rooted in?