Southern Gothic

This episode offers a foundational look at Gothic literature, defining it as a genre that occupies the liminal spaces between reality and the supernatural. Since its 18th-century origin with Horace Walpole, this tradition has utilized haunted settings and ancient curses to mirror societal anxieties and scientific transitions. The source tracks the genre's evolution from Romanticism to the psychological depth of the Victorian era, highlighting its transition from external monsters to internal madness. By examining core themes like inherited guilt and religious doubt, the text explains how Gothic stories confront the unknown facets of the human experience. Ultimately, the material serves as a roadmap for a course dedicated to understanding how this enduring style reflects cultural upheaval and the darkness of the mind.