GOTHIC ELEMENTS IN VICTORIAN LITERATURE: INVESTIGATING THE USE OF GOTHIC MOTIFS IN VICTORIAN NOVELS AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE

Abstract

This research article explores the pervasive influence of Gothic elements in Victorian literature, examining how Gothic motifs such as the supernatural, doppelgängers, decaying architecture, and psychological horror are woven into the fabric of Victorian novels. By analyzing key texts such as "Jane Eyre," "Wuthering Heights," "Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," "Dracula," and "Heart of Darkness," the study highlights the significance of Gothic themes in reflecting the cultural, social, and psychological anxieties of the Victorian era. The investigation reveals that these motifs are not merely decorative but serve as profound metaphors for the era's moral dilemmas, scientific advancements, class structures, gender roles, and colonial tensions. The Gothic tradition in Victorian literature offers a lens through which the complexities of the human condition and societal transformations are examined, demonstrating the enduring power of Gothic narratives to evoke fear, challenge norms, and explore the depths of the human psyche.