The supernatural

Definition

The supernatural refers to phenomena or entities that transcend the natural world and its laws, often involving magic, ghosts, deities, or otherworldly beings. In literature, especially within the Gothic genre, the supernatural is used to evoke fear and explore human psychology by presenting elements that challenge reality and rationality, creating an unsettling atmosphere that captivates readers.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The supernatural often manifests in Gothic literature through ghosts, monsters, and unexplained events that defy logic.
2. This element serves as a reflection of societal fears and anxieties during the 18th and 19th centuries, such as the fear of death and the unknown.
3. Key works of Gothic literature utilize the supernatural to develop complex characters who grapple with their own morality and sanity.
4. The presence of the supernatural can also symbolize inner conflicts or repressed desires within characters, making it a powerful narrative tool.
5. Authors like Edgar Allan Poe and Mary Shelley effectively employed supernatural elements to heighten suspense and provoke deep emotional responses from their readers.

Review Questions

• How does the use of supernatural elements in Gothic literature enhance its emotional impact on readers?
  • Supernatural elements in Gothic literature heighten emotional impact by creating an atmosphere of fear and suspense. These elements introduce uncertainty and challenge characters' perceptions of reality, which resonates with readers on a psychological level. By invoking feelings of dread or fascination with the unknown, authors engage readers' imaginations and emotions more profoundly.
• Analyze how the supernatural reflects societal fears during the 18th and 19th centuries in Gothic literature.
  • The supernatural in Gothic literature reflects societal fears of death, isolation, and the unknown prevalent during the 18th and 19th centuries. As societies faced rapid changes due to industrialization and shifts in beliefs, these fears manifested in stories filled with ghostly apparitions and monstrous beings. This genre served as a means for authors to address these anxieties indirectly, allowing readers to confront their fears through fictional narratives.
• Evaluate the role of the supernatural in character development within key Gothic texts.
  • The supernatural plays a crucial role in character development within Gothic texts by exposing characters to their innermost fears and desires. For instance, encounters with ghosts or otherworldly beings often force characters to confront moral dilemmas or unresolved pasts. This struggle not only reveals their vulnerabilities but also allows for significant growth or tragic downfall, deepening readers' understanding of human nature and the complexities of consciousness.

Related terms

Gothic Fiction: A genre characterized by elements of horror, mystery, and the supernatural, often set in dark, eerie settings with a focus on emotional extremes.

Sublime: Aesthetic quality that inspires awe and terror, often linked to nature or the supernatural, highlighting the limits of human understanding.

Haunting: The lingering presence of spirits or memories that evoke feelings of nostalgia, fear, or unresolved issues, often a key theme in supernatural narratives.