Gothic Revival and Halloween Imagery

Victorian horror literature, with its eerie atmospheres and spine-tingling tales, has long captured the imaginations of readers. The Victorian era bore witness to a resurgence of interest in the Gothic, aptly named the Gothic Revival. Characterised by its dark, ornate designs and enigmatic landscapes, the Gothic Revival unwittingly intertwined with Halloween imagery, fashioning a hauntingly fascinating narrative.

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In the Victorian lexicon, medieval castles took on an intriguing new dimension. They ceased to be mere historical artefacts, instead evolving into enigmatic, often decaying fortresses that captured the collective imagination. These settings became fixtures in Gothic literature, offering the same spooky allure as the haunted houses that dot Halloween landscapes. Count Dracula resided in one such castle, and we’re treated to one of the best openings to a novel ever written when Jonathan Harker journeys to the piece of Transylvanian real estate to literally discuss real estate.

Victorian writers held an unmistakable fascination with graveyards. The tombstones, moss-draped mausoleums, and creeping ivy wrapped these burial grounds in an aura of sombre mystery. This eerie atmosphere became the ink that penned Gothic narratives, mirroring the allure of graveyards and burial sites that we now associate with Halloween. Poor Lucy Westenra occupies a cemetery of this nature in Dracula. In The Tomb by HP Lovecraft (admittedly published after the Victorian Era, but an author who will likely feature heavily here in the future) and The Body Snatcher by Robert Louis Stevenson, we’re shown that cemeteries are not exclusively for the dead! I have a whole article about Cemeteries and Victorian Horror HERE.

Characters of enigma, often elusive and shrouded in secrets, wove their narratives through Victorian Gothic literature. In a way reminiscent of costumed trick-or-treaters on Halloween night, these figures injected a potent dose of intrigue and suspense into the stories. They moved in and out of the narrative, adding layers of mystery to the stories. Spring-Heeled Jack is a mysterious figure from Victorian urban legend, known for his incredible leaping abilities and bizarre, sometimes sinister, pranks. He is often described as a caped and sometimes demonic figure. His true identity and motives remain a mystery, adding to his enduring folklore.

Within the Gothic Revival, a shade of Dark Romanticism emerged, delving into the sublime, the supernatural, and the mysterious. Renowned authors like Bram Stoker and Edgar Allan Poe took these themes to heart, birthing literary works that resonated with the eerie sensibilities of Halloween. The tales they crafted, where the otherworldly dances with the macabre, now stand as timeless companions to our modern celebration of the haunting season. Edgar Allan Poe's dark romanticism can be found in his poem The Raven. In this poem, the narrator is visited by a mysterious raven, and he descends into madness as he grapples with the loss of his love, Lenore. The poem explores themes of grief, the supernatural, and the eerie, creating a sense of melancholy and foreboding.

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The Victorian era also witnessed a surge of interest in the supernatural, with spiritualism and séances becoming popular. Spiritualism and attempts to contact the spirit world were common, and these themes often found their way into horror literature. Authors explored the possibility of supernatural encounters, often blurring the line between the living and the dead. Authors like Charles Dickens (A Christmas Carol), and Algernon Blackwood (Smith: An Episode in a Lodging House), explored supernatural elements and the possibility of otherworldly encounters. I also wrote a whole article about Ghosts & Hauntings in Victorian Literature.

Incorporating elements of the Gothic Revival and supernatural themes allowed Victorian writers to create narratives that resonated with the eerie and uncanny sensibilities of their readers. The resulting works continue to captivate audiences today, showcasing the enduring influence of these Victorian preoccupations on the horror genre. Our modern Halloween imagery and celebrations often reflect these elements.