Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde deals with the relation of the baser parts of man to his nobler—of the capacity for evil that exists in the most generous natures. — Henry James, American author Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was based on a nightmare that was so strange that Robert Louis Stevenson decided to use it for a novel.
In just six days, Stevenson turned his nightmare into a novella well known for evoking fear and exploring a hidden part of humanity.It, like many other works written during the Victorian era, is considered a Gothic work.
Notable gothic works:
The term Gothic originally described Germanic tribes living during the Middle Ages.
It was then used to describe art and architecture from the 1200s to the 1500s, primarily created during the medieval period but lasting into the early Renaissance, most notably in the Alps Mountains region of Europe.
Then elaborate style that can still be seen in cathedrals, abbeys, palaces, and castles was given the label of Gothic by those who favored the more Classical style; Gothic at the time meant “barbaric” and “gloomy.”
It was later used to describe fictional works that create atmospheres of horror and dread, portray the deterioration of the world, and evoke extreme emotions. These fictional works were given the label Gothic because they, too, were perceived by some to be barbaric, bloody, and gloomy. Some of the most common elements of Gothic literature include abandoned castles, wild and lonely landscapes, doppelgangers , darkness, visions, monsters, and supernatural events.
Today, Gothic, or Goth, describes a highly diversified culture. The imagery and mood of Gothic novels and horror films have had a profound influence on modern Gothic music and fashion.
Dracula
Interview with the Vampire
Shutter Island
Batman movies and comic books
The Fall of the House of Usher
The Phantom of the Opera
The Shining
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
The Twilight series
