Sandman Response

     The creepiest page was in "Dream a Little Dream of Me" when they discover Rachel in the bed naked. She is

 naked and her skin appears to have sore all over it, her hair is falling out and she looks like an addict. Which is

creepy to me because I can see the connection to her addiction to drugs and her addiction to the sand. When

 John last saw her she was a drug addict and he now see her dependent on the sand for dreams. Rachel talks

about all she has to do is dream, and she has a hand filled with sand and when Dream takes back his bag of sand

she talks about how it hurts. She needs the sand to stay alive, to live, to easy the pain this is the behavior of an

addict. I found it interesting how Gaiman combined these two world into one world of abuse. It made be think

that anything can be an addiction and any addiction can destroy your life, which is why I thought it was creepy.

     The power of the sand and Dream where both supernatural which makes this a Gothic story and not horror.

There is also elements of decay; the smell of the house and Rachel's bedroom, and Rachel herself is decaying.

The supernatural ability of the dreams on the walls that after Constantine touches it, he goes into a dream about

falling to his death. John is saved by the supernatural control that Dream has over all dreams.

The Sandman series are very interesting and I can see how people become addicted to them.

Dana Wise
Professor Benander
World Literature
24 February 2013
“The Adventure of the Speckled Band:” A Gothic Tale? Why?
Gothic can refer to elements as different as architecture, fashion, movies and literatures. Gothic architecture is represented by the pointed roofs, windows and archways; the ornate detailing of the windows archways, and gargoyles. Gothic fashion is represented with clothing that is reminiscent of centuries past mourning garb and make-up that is intense and dramatic. Gothic movie directors like Tim Burton have created a long list of gothic films such as Sweeny Todd, Dark Shadows, and Alice in Wonderland. Clifford J. Kurkowski explains in his essay The Gothic Phenomenon in The Castle of Otranto: A Critical Essay, that “the word Gothic can encompasses a wide range of definitions.” The gothic genre is easier to see with the eye since the aesthetics are more readily identifiable; however, Gothic literature is more difficult. What separates a gothic novel from other novels? How does the reader know when Gothic literature is presented?
Gothic literature is often recognized by the word chosen by the author. If the author presents a decaying building rather than an old house, then it is gothic. If there is a runner headed down a dark and foggy path opposed to a jog through the park, it is surely gothic. If thing are happening that seem mystical or supernatural, such as ghost appearing, moving or aging pictures, then it is a gothic story.
There are many gothic tropes, starting with deep emotional expression: anger, sorrow, fear, or shock, sometimes to the point of insanity. There is fear: fear of the unknown, of superstition, of oppression, of death, of loss of wealth and/or status, fear of darkness and the fear of science. There are sign of decay or neglect: decay of buildings, neglect of land, and decay of the living. All of these tropes are often represented in a Gothic novel, these are what give the novel it’s eerie, suspenseful and mysterious feeling, which will either propel the reader forward or push the reader away.
Gothic tropes also apply to many other genres, so it is hard to pin point at times. According to Chris Baldick, in The Oxford Book of Gothic Tales “the term ‘Gothic’ has become firmly established as the name for one sinister corner of modern Western imagination, but it seems to work by intuitive suggest rather that by agreed precision of reference.” (xi) So the gothic genre is often considered evil, but it is truly a genre that is hard to place limits upon. In Arthur Conan Doyle’s “The Adventure of the Speckled Band,” Doyle creates a world of suspense, by using many of the classic tropes; decaying buildings, oppression, and mysterious death. Doyle’s character Sherlock Holmes, shows how the power of observation, logic, and action can destroy the Gothic straw-man he sets up by using very traditional tropes of 19th century horror.
As in most gothic stories there is usually decay, and “The Adventure of the Speckled Band” is no different. The character Helen Stoner talks to Holmes about the structure of “the manor house…very old and only one wing is now inhabited.” (Doyle 268) This decay is due to years of neglect and misappropriation of the families funds by several generations of the Roylotts. A reader can consider the lost of status among the Roylott family a symbolic form of decay. As the story continues the reader will discover bits of decay of Dr. Roylott’s mind, for example: “he shut himself up in his house, and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious quarrels with whoever might cross his path.” (Doyle 267) No previously prominent doctor would become a recluse or a person of such irrational behavior if not by means of psychological decay. “The Adventure of the Speckled Band” exhibits the decay present in most gothic story.
Another trope that a gothic novel cannot do without is oppression, especially the oppression of women. As is typical in a gothic tale her oppressor is a man, Helen Stoner livelihood depends on her step-father, Dr. Roylott’s, generosity. Stoner’s mother plays a part in her daughter’s oppression by leaving her estate to Roylott. She meaning the mother “she bequeathed Dr. Roylott entirely whilst we resided with him, with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to each of us in the event of our marriage.”(Doyle 267) The oppression in the gothic novel is often related to the era. It demonstrates how although the woman is oppressed she often accepts it as the norm. A perfect example is Stoner response to Sherlock’s discovery of Roylott’s abuse “he is a hard man…and perhaps he hardly knows his own strength.” (Doyle 272) This statement is saying I must protect my oppressor. Doyle establishes this dependency to show the oppression which is prevalent in gothic novels.
While decay and oppression serves its purpose what is most frightening is the fear of the unknown. Be it phantom or superstition or simple a misunderstanding, the unknown is an undeniable gothic trope. Baldick states in his “Introduction,” “The conservative tendency of such tales lies in their dedication to overcoming modern skepticism on behalf of an older belief which has been foolishly abandoned. Gothic fiction, on the other hand, usually shows no such respect for the wisdom of the past, and indeed tends to portray former ages as prison of delusion.” (xv) That being said Doyle is able to deliver these illusions of the unknown, however, by ever using Sherlock Holmes he is able to unveil the unknown as in “The Adventure of the Speckled Band.”
When Helen Stoner visit Sherlock Holmes, observes how demeanor, noticing that she is shivering, believing it from the cold but later finds out that it was due to fear. Doyle writes “she was indeed in a pitiable state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless, frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal.” (265) which allow you to see how Doyle demonstrates Holmes power of observation. Doyle goes on to express how observation is important when solving a mystery. The death of Julia Stoner was caused by Dr. Roylott and his fear of being poor again. If the women were to marry he would lose two-third of his current income. Holmes discovers this after viewing the will of the late Mrs. Roylott.
After realizing that Dr. Roylott is a murder and examining the manor. Holmes discovers how the strange adjustment that had been made to Julia’s bedroom allowed the doctor to execute his plan: the useless ventilator, the inoperable bell-rope and the bed that was bolted to the floor. These all became a straight pathway for the speckled band, “a swamp adder…the deadliest snake in India.” (285) Holmes was willing to stay in the deadly bedroom to prove his hypothesis.
Helen’s oppressor had appeared to be supportive of the marriages of his step daughters, yet he was overcome with an oppression of his past experience of being poor. When he went to visit Holmes it was his madness that stated differently. Corinna Wagner states in “the dream of a Transparent Body: Identity, Science and the Gothic Essay” that “even in utter silence, then the face speaks.” (83) This quote means that even if you are saying one thing your body maybe saying another.  So with Holmes power of observation he was able to pickup on this, uses logical thinking and with willingness to spring into action he was able to save the damsel from her oppressor. Although in earlier gothic literature the oppressed would have either had to die, go insane or die, but in Doyle story it is the oppressor who was insane and dies.
“The Adventure of the Speckled Band” proves that although it is filled with tradition tropes it also varies from earlier gothic literature, proving again that there is a lot of gray when it comes to Gothic writings. According to a quote by Richard Gray feature in “the Dream of a Transparent Body” “one of the most persistent fantasies held by the human intellect: the desire to develop a kind of penetrating interior vision that would infallibly reveal the psychological constitution of any human being.” This quote is related to the Gothic genre because just like humans trying to understand other humans and make sense of each other, humans are trying to make sense of Gothic literature. Gothic literature is and has been defined and analyzed to find the true meaning but just like humans it will not fit into a box. Gothic literature continues to grow and evolve in meaning just as its writers grow and evolve as people.

Works Cited
Baldick, Chris. “Introduction.” The Oxford Book of Gothic Tales. Ed. Chris Baldick. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009. xi-xxiii. Print.
Doyle, Arthur Conan. “The Adventure of the Speckled Band.” The Oxford Book of Gothic Tales. Ed. Chris Baldick. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009. 264-285. Print.
Kurkowski, Clifford J. “The Gothic Phenomenon in The Castle of Otranto: A Critical Essay.” LitGoth.com. n.d. Web. 15 Feb. 2013.
Wagner, Corinna. “The Dream of a Transparent Body: Identity, Science and the Gothic Novel.” Gothic Studies. 14.1 (2012): 74-92. Print

 

GOTHIC REVISED

     As discuss in an earlier blog posting, Goth/gothic can refer to many things. Gothic architecture is represented by the pointed roofs, windows and archway; the ornate detailing of the windows, archways, and gargoyles.

                                                                             GOTH

NOT

Gothic fashion is represented with clothing that is reminiscent of centuries past mourning garb and make-up is intense and dramatic.


NOT



GOTH

Gothic movies directors like Tim Burton have created a long list of gothic films such as Sweeney Todd, Dark Shadow, and Alice in Wonderland to name a few.

GOTH NOT

GOTH



NOT

So far what we have observed are thing that are easily seen with the eye, the aesthetics. I would like to express my understanding of gothic literature. What separates a gothic novel from other novels? How to know when you are reading a Gothic literature?
Gothic literature is often recognized in the word choice. If the author makes a point of telling you that a building is decaying and not simply old, or if one is running down a dark path and knows not where it led, and not just running down the street or if things are happening that seem mystical or supernatural, such as ghost appearing, moving or aging pictures, then it is a gothic story.

There is always some type of deep emotion expressed: anger, sorrow, fear or shock, sometimes to the point of insanity. A woman is often threatened or oppressed by a man, who may hold her fate in his hands or have influence as to the outcome of her physical being. This power over women is usually used to obtain or maintain wealth or power, which helps develop the damsel in distress. All of these things are often represented in a Gothic novel, these are what give the novel it’s eerie, suspenseful, and mysterious feel and propels you forward or pushes you away. So the next time that you start reading a book look for think about the setting, is it creepy? Is there a damsel in distress? Are there unexplained events that seem supernatural? Thinking about these things can change your reading experience.

GOTH NOT

The Yellow Wallpaper

   

 In The Yellow Wallpaper, by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, she describes a maddening tale of a man's power over a woman. Charlotte, a woman suffering from depression, becomes completely insane due to the restrictions place upon by her husband/doctor, John. 

Charlotte believes that there is something wrong, she doesn't feel like herself. How can she receive help?  If "You see he does not believe I am sick!" What gives John the right to decide whether or not Charlotte is well or not? Is it his manhood or that he is a doctor or both? John believes that Charlotte is simply "temporary nervous depression-a slight hysterical tendency." I do understand the John is a "high standing" doctor and so is her brother who is in agreement with John, but a doctor is suppose to listen to their patients. Well to make her better he prescribes the "rest cure" which makes things worst.

John is very controlling he tells Charlotte when to eat, sleep, dress, go outside and how to feel. A Charlotte talks about how she gets angry sometimes and John tells her, "I shall neglect proper self-control." He directs her every move, as she states "He is very careful and loving, and hardly let's me stir without special direction." He tells her, "I have a schedule prescription for each hour in the day," really each hour, that a lot of control.

When she tries to take some control for herself he is dismissive as if she could possibly know anything. She tells him that she is not making progress there and that she wants to leave. John states, "You are gaining flesh and color, and your appetite is better," and Charlotte replies, "I don't weigh at bit more....nor as much...my appetite may be better in the evening...but it is worse...when you are away." His response with, "bless her little heart!" She tries to tell he that her mind is not well and he tell that her imagination is of danger to her, that "it is a false and foolish fancy."

The rest of the story details how she goes insane, was it the house that may have been haunted that pushes her over the edge? Or was it the "rest cure" with its isolation from the rest of the world and her imagination taking over that pushed her? Whether it was the house or her mind it was a man that placed her in this position. A man that was supposed to be her protector, well he protected her right into madness. I am sure that for the 19th century, that he and she both believe that a man knew what was best, however, no one should dictate how a person should or does feel and believe that is what Gilman is saying.

The latest movie made regarding this story has depicted the woman as stronger individuals, it takes a nice twist, it was released in 2011 I think, check it out.

THE RUINS OF THE ABBEY OF FITZ-MARTIN

There many Gothic tropes in this story; A decaying abbey, forced marriage, secret love and identity, ghost, evil men, religious persecution, and the list goes on. All of these thing surround the death and unheard story of Anna.

Anna is part of the story within the story. The story explains how the naive Anna falls in love with a Stranger and marries him. He leaves telling her he will return soon. However, in the mean time Anna's father the Knight has arranged Anna's marriage to a Lord, to help secure the Knight's financial welfare. So of course Anna being married the the Stranger cannot marry the Lord. Her husband returns to tell her to take refuse in the church. After being in the church for sometime, the church insist that she become a nun. After becoming a nun, it is discovered that she is with child, which is punishable by death, if your a nun. Before her death she writes a letter explain the events of her demise and why she haunts the decaying abbey, which is never found until the young Rosaline discovers it.

Anna's letter also allow her to warn Rosaline of the true and evil nature of men. That being good is a curse upon a woman, and that she should never to trust a man. Anna is also able to torture her husband the Stranger, who in a twist of the story is the Baron at the beginning of the story, by haunting the abbey that he now owns until he goes insane. Got to love that revenge.

We know that in the 20th/21st century that evil does not discriminate when it comes to who or what can be evil. You have women (Lizzy Borden, true story), men (Helter Skelter: Charles Manson, true story), children (Fire Starter or Children of the Corn), animals (Cujo) and toys (Chuckie) that are evil. I know these are all from the 20th century but I haven't really seen or read enough horror in the 21st century to evaluate.

The Castle of Ortranto

                        
                         

In the book The Castle of Otranto, the author Horace Walpole, displays many fears that haunted the people of the 17th century Europe. The fear of the continuation of the family, the lack of power of women in a men dominated world, the fear of the supernatural; ghost, unexplainable events and curses, and the fear of the dark. These things were of great concern during this time and things that Walpole draws attention to in his story.

The thing that I felt must strongly about we're the suppression of women. The character Manfred, is the main male in charge, he is determining the lives of three of the women in the story: Hippolita, his wife, Matilda, his daughter, and Isabella, the fiancé of his late son. Due to the loss of his only male heir he believes that he must do something to continue his line. So Manfred comes up with a plan to divorce Hippolita so that he can marry Isabella. Hippolita is so oppressed that when she finally hears about the plan that she is more than willing to submit to the terms. However, Isabella is not willing, escapes from Manfred aggressive grip. Fearing for her virtual she flees into the darkness,not knowing what to expect. Poor Matilda devoid of her fathers affection believes she is destine for the convent, but falls in love with a handsome stranger. Despite Matilda finding true love, her father offer her in a trade to Frederick, Isabella's father, for Isabella. As a woman of the 21st century I find all of this disturbing, so I have to assume that this is a fear that Walpole was trying to shine a light on. During the 17th century.

However, I believe that this same fear is what made this book so popular. Women could live vicariously through Isabella or relate to the pious Matilda or feel sorry for the totally oppressed Hippolita. Isabella tried to take control of her unfortunate situation showing great strength for a woman of this period. Even Matilda showed periods of strength; the release of Theodore and meeting him in the cemetery. This would have been intriguing reading for the time and after reading it myself loved the drama.

Personal Definition of Gothic

What does the word Gothic mean to me? I have always associated it with deep dark emotional thoughts, dark clothing and make-up, and the occult. It's not joyful, colorful, or sunshine and puppies, a least that was my opinion.
However, what I have recently learned, is that there were actually tribes of Gothic people; Vandals, Ostrogoths and the Visigoth.

The Sack of Rome, by Alaric I.

Gothic also refers to a type of architectural design. You may have seen those building with the pointed roofs and the gargoyles sitting on the ledges and rooftops, those building are of Gothic design. However, in contrast to the Goth are the Neo-Classical designs which have a rounded rooftops and columns. Here are two pictures, one of each design.                                                        

The Dexter Mausoleum, at Spring Grove Cemetery and the Union Terminal Museum Center, both
structures are located in Cincinnati, Ohio. Each of these buildings are equally artistically beautiful, yet, the mausoleum has a creepy feel to it. Cincinnati has many Gothic buildings, which I have never truly acknowledged until now.



I was right about it being a sense of style. The dark dramatic make-up and clothing are greatly associated with the Gothic culture. Black is often the basic color but you will also see deep red, purples, blues and grays.

Although some of the people appear to be out on sunny days, their clothes are heavy and dark, not light, bright and colorful which is what makes it Goth. The make-up on both the men and women is very dramatic, not what you would expect to see in the middle of the day.

Goth is also a form of entertainment from music to movies. from haunted houses to literature. I don't know a lot about any of these forms of entertainment, but I do know of some. Bram Stroker's Darcula both a book and a movie. The Vampires Chronicles book produced two movies; Interview with the Vampire and The Queen of the Damned. I know that Stephen King was very popular in the 1990's with his books, often turned movie, but I am not a big fan of Goth or I should say that I never real gave it an opportunity.

Goth is not just one thing, it crosses into many arts and style, it is not right or wrong it simply is. I will admit that there was a time when I would look at certain people, things or ideas and think that is weird, but to each their own.
I will keep you posted as I become more enlighten regarding the literature of Goth.


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