Gothic horror writing has been known for decades, but what makes this way of writing so unique to others can be shocking to some. Gothic writings unlike most integrate a sinister, mysterious and malevolence tones into the story along with some supernatural or paranormal twist. Author Edgar Allan Poe is famous for his use of gothic literature. His well known stories are: “The Black Cat”and “The Masque of the Red Death”. In “The Black Cat” the narrator slowly goes insane by his pet cat. He soon tried to kill it and ended up killing his wife instead. The narrator decided to hide his wife’s body in an old cellar wall that was under his house. He got caught by the police due to a loud scream that came from the wall where the body was, turns out
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The setting takes place in an old castle that has seven chambers and each one is in a different color. The black chamber looks like death with its blood red windows and a grand clock with its spine-chilling chime. Poe illustrates to the reader, “the western or black chamber [had] the effect of … firelight that screamed upon the dark hangings through the blood-tinted panes, was ghastly in the extreme, and produced so wild a look” (2) to add trepidation and mystery to the story. In addition the death of Prince Prospero was insanely bizarre when the narrator explains, “There was a sharp cry -- and the dagger dropped gleaming upon the the sable carpet, upon which, instantly afterwards, fell prostrate in death the Prince Prospero” (Poe 6) portraying gothic horror at its finest by having death itself kill the protagonist in the short story.
Both Edgar Allan Poe short stories “The Black Cat” and “The Masque of the Red Death” are perfect examples of gothic horror. The short stories have delusional characters, sinister settings which include an old cellar and ancient castle that represents the mysterious, terrifying atmosphere showing the dark side of gothic quality. Also gothic literature is shown by the inexplicable deaths that each story portrays. Gothic horror uniqueness from other literature makes it more exciting and intriguing to
The setting takes place in an old castle that has seven chambers and each one is in a different color. The black chamber looks like death with its blood red windows and a grand clock with its spine-chilling chime. Poe illustrates to the reader, “the western or black chamber [had] the effect of … firelight that screamed upon the dark hangings through the blood-tinted panes, was ghastly in the extreme, and produced so wild a look” (2) to add trepidation and mystery to the story. In addition the death of Prince Prospero was insanely bizarre when the narrator explains, “There was a sharp cry -- and the dagger dropped gleaming upon the the sable carpet, upon which, instantly afterwards, fell prostrate in death the Prince Prospero” (Poe 6) portraying gothic horror at its finest by having death itself kill the protagonist in the short story.
Both Edgar Allan Poe short stories “The Black Cat” and “The Masque of the Red Death” are perfect examples of gothic horror. The short stories have delusional characters, sinister settings which include an old cellar and ancient castle that represents the mysterious, terrifying atmosphere showing the dark side of gothic quality. Also gothic literature is shown by the inexplicable deaths that each story portrays. Gothic horror uniqueness from other literature makes it more exciting and intriguing to