The Gothic – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 32

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The novel tells the story of Count Dracula, a vampire who moves from Transylvania to England to spread terror and create more vampires. The story begins with Jonathan Harker, an English solicitor, who travels to Transylvania to finalize the sale of a property to Count Dracula. Upon discovering Dracula's true nature, Harker barely escapes with his life. Dracula then travels to England, where he targets Harker's fiancée, Mina, and her friend Lucy. A group of characters, including Professor Van Helsing, Dr. John Seward, and Quincey Morris, band together to hunt down and destroy Dracula. The novel explores themes of good vs. evil, modernity vs. tradition, and the fears and anxieties of the Victorian era, including immigration, sexual desire, and the role of women in society.

Published in 1764, 'The Castle of Otranto' is considered the first Gothic novel. The story revolves around Manfred, the lord of the Castle of Otranto, whose son Conrad is killed by a giant helmet on the day of his wedding to Isabella. This event triggers a series of supernatural occurrences and human tragedies, driven by an ancient prophecy that threatens Manfred's lineage. The novel explores themes of horror, fate, and the fragility of human connections, blending medieval and modern literary motifs. It was initially presented as a translation of an ancient Italian manuscript but was later acknowledged as a modern creation by Walpole.

Written in epistolary form, the novel tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant and ambitious scientist who, driven by Enlightenment-era ideas of progress and science, creates a living being from dead body parts. However, upon seeing the creature come to life, Frankenstein is horrified and abandons it. The creature, shunned by society due to its appearance, seeks revenge against its creator, leading to a series of tragic events. The novel explores themes of guilt, loss, and the emotional and moral consequences of scientific hubris, blending elements of Gothic and Romantic literature.