The Gothic Novel: Origins and Influence on English Literature

Abstract

This article explores the origins and development of the Gothic novel and its influence on English literature. Emerging in the late eighteenth century, the Gothic novel combined medieval settings, supernatural elements, and emotional intensity to challenge Enlightenment rationality. Beginning with Horace Walpole’s The Castle of Otranto, the genre quickly expanded through the works of Ann Radcliffe, Matthew Lewis, and others. Gothic conventions later shaped Romantic and Victorian literature, influencing major works such as Frankenstein, Jane Eyre, and Dracula. The article concludes that the Gothic tradition remains a vital force in modern fiction, cinema, and popular culture.