Global Ambiguity in Nineteenth-Century American Gothic: A Study in Form, History, and Culture

This book explores the global ambiguity of American gothic literature in the 19th century, examining how it produces culturally meaningful readings and reimagines social realities in politically constructive ways. It reexamines canonical works and obscure ones from authors such as Charles Brockden Brown, Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Herman Melville, Louisa May Alcott, and Henry James.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 126 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive volume delves into the intricate interplay between gothic form and ideology, with a specific focus on a prominent formal element of American gothic literature: global ambiguity. By examining the profound cultural significance of this feature, the author aims to unravel its narrative origins and explore how it generates culturally rich interpretations. Through a rigorous analysis of canonical works and lesser-known pieces by renowned American gothic authors such as Charles Brockden Brown, Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Herman Melville, Louisa May Alcott, and Henry James, the study unveils the transformative journey of the gothic genre in nineteenth-century America. It reveals that these writers harnessed the gothic's aesthetic sophistication to engage deeply with pressing societal issues, including moral citizenship, slavery, and the social status of women. Moreover, they reimagined social realities in politically constructive ways, challenging dominant narratives and promoting social change. Literary scholars, students, and enthusiasts of gothic literature, American literature, and narrative theory will find this book invaluable for its insightful exploration and thought-provoking revelations.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367539023