Horror vs Gothic: Is there a difference?

For today's blog post, I thought I would delve deeper into the genre of horror and how different of similar it's subgenre of the gothic is. What makes a piece of Gothic fiction or literature different from standard horror?

First of all, the horror genre is a subgenre of speculative fiction. For publisher Penguin's online website, two differing ideas on what speculative fiction are have been put forward. ‘To some, including stalwart of the genre Margaret Atwood, speculative fiction is a sub-genre where the narrative plays with the elements of what is possible in our world; a descriptor for “what if?” stories examining alternative histories, futures and societies that seem possible within the parameters of reality.’ Thinking of this definition, does horror fit within this idea? I am unsure on this one. This element of an alternative history or future is something that I have found in horror books that I have read. When referring specifically to gothic, it is not something that comes to mind. Nevertheless though, the what if element is something I would associate with the gothic horror genre. For me I can read gothic horror and often find that I am asking myself what choice will be made when someone is given a decision.

Penguin's other definition considers that ‘speculative fiction is an umbrella term that encompasses genres such as fantasy, science fiction, dystopian fiction, and horror – in other words, any fiction that speculates about life beyond the world we know.’ This I can agree with. Horror and its subgenre the gothic, toy with this idea of the world as we know of it to be. From ghosts to zombies, I find that horror and the gothic subgenre get us to think of the otherworldly.

If all this is the case, then what makes horror and gothic differ from something such as science fiction or fantasy? One thing that horror does so well is that it has this job of creating feelings of horror on people. That it what it is.

When it comes to gothic literature and fiction, it strikes terror deep in the reader's heart. The gothic genre shocks readers and leaves you wandering oh my, or what the? I have read horror books which are grim and nasty. I have read gothic books to which grim and nasty do not cut it. Works of the gothic genre are stomach-turning and unbelievable. There have been some strong examples of gothic including The Italian (1796) by Ann Radcliffe, The Monk (1796) by Matthew Gregory Lewis and Dracula (1897) by Bram Stoker. Gothic horror takes things to another level and crosses boundaries that standard horror would not often dare to go near.


Until next time,


Thomas.

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