Gothic Tropes within "The Ruins"

     “The Ruins of Abbey Fitzmartin” contain the same gothic tropes in which we have been studying since the beginning of the semester. To begin with, the setting is a decaying abbey. Our main characters are heroic women. The story is centered around an deception and unjust murder all due to a forced marriage by a controlling father. This plot is identical to the stories we have been studying thus far, and just like these stories, we are provided with ways to address these fears.

     The Ruins tells us not to trust strangers, they can deceive you. Learn someone’s true identity before trusting them (and even then they may not be trustworthy). It also tells us that if we need to seek refuge, then we need to find somewhere else other than a religious establishment. Religion and its followers are not always pure. We also learn to avoid the darkness because that is where the skeletons and ghosts lurk. The ultimate resolution to this story, and a lesson we learn is the dead may not be truly dead and could still be able to seek revenge on those that have wrong them. This teaches us to try not to harm others because they could pay us back. 

Fear

     Horace Walpole’s The Castle of Otranto highlighted many fears of 17^th Century England. These fears were so prevalent in this time period, and yet the ways to deal with them were not spoke of. That was what made The Castle of Otranto so popular and a basis for gothic works to come. Walpole used these fears to frighten his readers and offered solutions to them. Darkness is profound throughout the novel. Walpole’s solution to this fear was to stay in the light, or bring one with you. The best example of this is when Isabella is running from Manfred and her candle is blown out. The reason Isabella is fleeing from the castle is because Manfred is trying to rape her and force her to marry him. This fear was one that was definitely not spoken of during this time because it was considered the woman’s fault if these actions occurred to her and her reputation would be ruined. Speaking of marriage, marrying out of caste was a fear prevalent in the novel. The whole story line was based upon that Alfonso’s proper heir did not inhabit the castle. This is because he married out of caste and had to keep it hidden. This novel is showing its audience the consequences they could face if marrying out of caste, and keeping inheritance hidden. Also, keeping identities hidden was a fear for this time. This is brought to light with Theodore, who started out as just a peasant, or Fredric who ended up being Isabella’s father. Walpole is basically saying, check who people are before you invite them into your life, let alone your home.

     These were legitimate fears for that time period. People were drawn to The Castle of Otranto just like today people are attracted to movies that portray fears in our society. Religion is something that our society fears today. Now more than ever, people have so many questions and differences concerning religion. These differences have a tendency to separate us from those that believe differently. Movies like Red State attract audiences today because this is a fear we are currently dealing with.    

My Personal Definition of Gothic

     When reflecting upon the word "Gothic", it automatically evokes feelings of uneasiness. I would apply the term gothic to anything, whether it be writing, movies, and other works, or even experiences, that make me feel somewhat scared or anxious. However, a work or experience does not have to be a scary situation to be labeled gothic (that is just one example). I base my definition of gothic visually, aurally, and emotionally. If the situation or work has a dark shadowy lightning, and castle like architecture, I would consider it gothic. If the sounds that I am hearing are suspenseful or eerie, I would consider it gothic. If it makes me feel tense and frightened I would consider it gothic. Not all of these aspects need to be combined together for me to consider it gothic. A good example of this is the movie “Beetlejuice”. I would consider this movie gothic because it contains dark lightning, odd characters, and the architecture of the house is pointy and squared. “Beetlejuice” however, is not a horror movie; it is actually more of a dark comedy. 

     There are other things that I immediately identify gothic when I see them such as skulls and bats, pointy Victorian architecture with gargoyles perched atop, or a pale person wearing intense makeup, and an all black wardrobe. Just one aspect could change my definition though, an example of this being the picture of the mountains that were shown in class. The lightning alone really changed the feel of the picture from peaceful to gothic. Perhaps, it really depends on specific aspects of each item or situation as to whether or not I consider it gothic.