I want to do my research paper on gothic writers and I need help?

Question

I have to do a 6-10 page research paper on the short stories we have been reading. I know Edgar Allan Poe, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, and Flannery O' Connor are among the ones that write gothic fiction. I was wondering if anyone knows of any other writers that write gothic fiction? Also I would appreciate any tips on writing the research paper.

Answer 1

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I'd recommend two other writers of Gothic short stories:

Robert Loius Stevenson.
- Any copy of 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' usually has his other Gothic short stories, such as 'The Body Snatchers', 'Olalla', and 'Markheim'. Stevenson is very into the "dual-nature of mankind", good vs. evil desire, and Gothic doubles and such like. There tends to be less supernatural creatures (except for the werewolf/vampire in Olalla), and more internal, psychological horrors and problems.

Sheridan Le Fanu - 'In a Glass Darkly'.
- A collection of his Gothic short stories, but laid out as if they were the case-files of a psychiatrist looking into supernatural events. Lots to do with science vs. religion and the material vs. the spiritual.


As for tips, if you buy any books, make sure they're Penguin Classics of Oxford World Classics editions. They have good introductions which are VERY helpful for essays - they basically give you a line of thought and pick out all the important quotes for you. I own the Penguin Classics edition of Poe's short stories, and the Oxford World Classics edition of Le Fanu and Stevenson's stories.

Other than that, just have a browse on sparknotes and other study-guide websites. When it boils down to it though, your teacher will much prefer references to introductions than study guides!

Hope this helped, and good luck!

Answer 2

Mary shelley-frankenstein

Oscar Wilde-The picture of Dorian Gray

Brahm stoker-Dracula

Oscar wilde and Stoker are both Irish.Maybe irish poverty inspired them.

Both mary shelley and Stoker were inspired by a nightmare.

Answer 3

H.P Lovecraft.

Answer 4

You might also try Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen. This is a parody (i.e. a book that pokes fun at something) of the gothic genre.

You might also consider Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte.

Of course, these are both novels and if you are looking at short stories, they might not work.

Good luck!