Elements Of Gothic Literature Essay

Gothic Literature is a unique form of writing that encompasses: fiction, horror, death, and romance. This type of writing uses the idea of the supernatural as well as the capacity for evil in a human being which ultimately thickens and intensifies the plots of the stories and makes them more intriguing. In the following three works: Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, “The Raven”, and “The Black Cat”, there are many unique elements of gothic literature, however the most prominent are: psychological issues, ambiguity, the color black, spirits/demons, and violence.

In the book, Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs, the use of the gothic elements ambiguity and psychological issues are noticeable throughout. Several characters show signs of having psychological issues for example: the grandson (Jacob), as well as the Grandpa. “The monsters aren’t coming for you. You killed them all in the war, remember?” (Riggs 27) is an example of how the Grandpa is suffering psychological issues from traumatic events that occurred when he
The elements of the color black and the use of the raven as a spirit/demon are presented in the poem which aid in establishing a somber and spooky mood . “This ebony bird” (Poe 438) describes the black color of the raven and the symbolism the color has on the deeper meaning of the story. The black raven signifies the darkness and death that has ultimately taken over the man’s life since the passing of his wife, Lenore. The raven, “and his eyes have all the seeming of a demon that is dreaming” (Poe 440) characterizes the raven as a demon (dark spirit) that has come to haunt the man after his wife’s passing. This ultimately creates a haunting mood and allows the reader to understand the deeper connection the raven has to the man and the recent event of his wife’s