The Gothic and de Crevecoeur

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The Gothic and de Crevecoeur

• By Stephanie Leong
• Becky Diel
• Tommy Hiscocks

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Gothic

• Definition noting or pertaining to a style of
  literature characterized by a gloomy setting,
  grotesque, mysterious, or violent events, and an
  atmosphere of degeneration and decay
• Development of the genre is attributed to Horace
  Walpole and his 1764 novel, The Castle of Oranto

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Conventions

• Combines elements of romanticism and horror
• A pleasing sort of terror (both psychological and
  physical)
• Includes death, decay, darkness
• Element of the supernatural
• Embodies an appreciation of the joys of extreme
  emotion, the thrills of fearfulness and awe
  inherent in the sublime

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Southern Gothic

• Sub-genre that grew from traditional gothic
  literature
• Unique to American Literature
• Uses conventions of traditional gothic to explore
  social issues and reveal the cultural character
  of the American South
• Most notable feature is the grotesque

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The Grotesque

• Includes situations, places, or characters that
  often possess some cringe-inducing qualities
• Typically racial bigotry or egotistical
  self-righteousness
• Also has enough good qualities to keep readers
  interested
• Highlights unpleasant aspects of Southern culture
  without appearing too moralistic

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American Gothic

• Teresa A. Goddu, in her book Gothic America
  Narrative, History, and Nation, grounds
  nineteenth-century American gothicism in the
  history and politics of American racialism.
• She argues that the gothic stands as an elaborate
  code for slavery, race, and oppression, including
  the oppression by the new capitalist marketplace.

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Gothic America, contd.

• Goddu claims that American gothic literature
  criticizes Americas national myth of New World
  innocence by voicing the cultural contradictions
  that undermine the nations claim to purity and
  equality
• Dispels the myth of America as a Garden of Eden

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The Dreaded Questions

• What elements of gothic literature do you see de
  Crevecoeur use in Letter IX?

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• De Crevecoeur uses a disturbing scene to show the
  horrors of slavery, he is pushing an agenda, and
  that is to change the mindset of Americans toward
  slavery
• From the edges of the hollow sockets and from
  the lacerations with which he was disfigured, the
  blood slowly dropped and tinged the ground
  beneath. No sooner were the birds flown than
  swarms of insects covered the whole body of this
  unfortunate wretch, eager to feed on his mangled
  flesh and to drink his blood. (p. 178)

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• 2. Do you think the gothic element serves a
  social function?

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YES!

• De Crevecoeur writes in gothic style to expose
  the corruption and degeneracy of America. It is
  a social commentary on slavery, racism, and other
  social injustices
• Even under those mild climates which seem to
  breathe peace and happiness, the poison of
  slavery, the fury of despotism, and the rage of
  superstition are all combined against man! (p.
  176)

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• 3.How does Letter IX agree/disagree with the tone
  of Letter III?

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• Letter IX is the virtual opposite of Letter III
• De Crevecoeur uses a pessimistic tone, where
  previously he was optimistic
• Seems disillusioned with America and the
  corruption within it
• Like Gulliver, de Crevecoeur seems to have lost
  faith in humankind

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Some Final (pessimistic) Thoughts from de
Crevecoeur

• these must to the geographical eye seem as if
  intended for terrestrial paradisesyet there in
  general we find the most wretched people in the
  world. (p. 176)
• Hence the most unjust war, if supported by the
  greatest force, always succeeds hence the most
  just ones, when supported only by their justice,
  as often fail. (p. 174)
• He has lost hope in justice prevailing and is
  convinced that we are all doomed.