Gothic Architecture

There is a obvious difference between Georgian buildings and the buildings that arose during the Victorian Era. From large white walls with little detail, came the extreme detailing that creates a dark and strong emotion from the on looker. It links to the sublime of people enjoying these emotions of terror that they feel when they see these buildings. This influenced a lot of writers to use buildings like this from alternate generations to stir emotion for their novels. The novels also revolve around this ancient architecture such as in Anne Radcliff’s novel the Mysteries of Udolpho 1794 and Horace Walpoles The Castle of Otranto 1764.

Wikipedia. (No Date). Victorian Architecture . Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victorian_architecture. Last accessed 15th February, 2015.

Horrace in particular found buildings influential in his writing. He chose to get his own “gothic castle”, he renovated two cottages at Chopp’d Straw Hall in Twickenham. The setting was meadows and gardens and the buildings had pinnacles, battlements and a round tower like the gothic cathedrals of the time. The doors and ceilings were based on medieval tombs and the passageways were gloomy and opened into the greatness of a room. He got the inspiration for The Castle of Otranto while dreaming in the castle, he imagined a giant armoured fist on the staircase which influenced his writing.

Dark Romance Editor. (June 18). Strawberry Hill: the birthplace of gothic literature. Available: http://www.darkromance.com/dr-bod/dr-bod-vol_1_06/dr-bod-060618-strawberry_hill.html. Last accessed 15th February, 2015.

Gothic Cathedrals were the main buildings to be influenced by the Gothic. Although other buildings include Castles, churches and Follies which are miniature buildings that have no purpose other than for sceneary. The décor is classically linked to what you would expect of the times. Such as arches and spirals, this was said to be like the building stretching for the heavens. The windows also have stained glass, some of which show the interaction of supernatural and human worlds, a common theme in Gothic novels. Even the carvings depict the same interaction. Not all these forces are evil, such as the Saints. Wild carvings that depict the supernatural such as demons, gargoyles, monsters and angels are incorporated into many gothic designs and shows the separation between real life and the infinite. 

 Reference:

Strawberry Hill House Editors. (No Date). Horace Walpole. Available: http://www.strawberryhillhouse.org.uk/horace-walpole.php. Last accessed 15th February, 2015.

Gothic Origins Editors . (No Date). Textual Characteristics of the Gothic. Available: http://resources.mhs.vic.edu.au/creating/pages/origins.htm. Last accessed 15th February, 2015.