Mid-Century Gothic: The Uncanny Objects of Modernity in British Literature and Culture After the Second World War

In the mid-1940s, a literary and cultural movement known as Mid-Century Gothic emerged in Britain, exploring the trauma of fascism and war and the emergence of commodity culture. The movement featured gothic narratives that reflected the autonomous agency and intimacy of modern objects, challenging old assumptions about the human subject. This book offers new readings of novels, plays, essays, and films of the period, unearthing neglected texts and reassessing canonical works, providing a fresh perspective on a neglected historical moment.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 01 March 2019
Publisher: Manchester University Press

Mid-Century Gothic is a significant literary and cultural phenomenon that emerged in Britain during the post-war era, spanning from 1945 to 1955. This period was marked by the lingering effects of fascism and war, as well as an unease with the emerging norms of peacetime and the resurgence of commodity culture. As traditional notions of human subjectivity began to feel unsettled, culture responded with gothic narratives that captured two unsettling aspects of modernity: the uncanny autonomy of these new objects and their unsettling proximity to the reified human body.

The book delves into a comprehensive examination of novels, plays, essays, and films from this period, unearthing neglected texts and reevaluating canonical works. By engaging these literary and cultural artifacts with mid-century architecture, exhibitions, and material culture, the book offers a fresh perspective on a historically overlooked era, challenging previous narratives that portray post-war culture as timid.

The mid-century Gothic movement emerged in response to the social and political upheaval of the post-war era. The horrors of World War II and the rise of fascism had left a profound impact on the British psyche, and many writers and artists sought to explore the darker aspects of human nature and the consequences of modernity. Gothic literature and art often depicted eerie landscapes, mysterious characters, and supernatural elements, reflecting the fears and anxieties of the time.

One of the key themes of mid-Century Gothic is the exploration of the human subject in the context of a rapidly changing world. The novels and plays of this period often depicted individuals who are struggling to adapt to the new social and economic realities of post-war Britain. They are often portrayed as isolated, lonely, and vulnerable, as they navigate the complexities of a society that is still grappling with the legacy of war and fascism.

At the same time, mid-Century Gothic also explored the boundaries between the human and the non-human. The emergence of technology and science in the post-war era led to a fascination with the possibilities and limitations of artificial intelligence and the nature of the human-machine relationship. Gothic narratives often depicted humans as being controlled or manipulated by these new technologies, as they struggle to understand their place in a world that is increasingly dominated by machines.

Another theme of mid-Century Gothic is the exploration of the supernatural and the occult. The post-war era was marked by a growing interest in spiritualism, astrology, and other forms of supernatural belief, and many writers and artists sought to incorporate these elements into their work. Gothic narratives often depicted characters who are caught up in supernatural forces, either as victims or as agents of change.

Despite its dark and unsettling themes, mid-Century Gothic was also a period of innovation and experimentation in literature and art. Many writers and artists of this period pushed the boundaries of traditional forms and styles, creating new and innovative ways of expressing themselves. They were often influenced by the emerging fields of psychology and sociology, which provided new insights into the human mind and the social world.

In conclusion, mid-Century Gothic is a significant literary and cultural phenomenon that emerged in Britain during the post-war era. It was a period marked by the lingering effects of fascism and war, as well as an unease with the emerging norms of peacetime and the resurgence of commodity culture. Through the exploration of gothic narratives that captured the uncanny autonomy of modernity and the unsettling proximity of the reified human body, mid-Century Gothic offered a new perspective on a historically overlooked era, challenging previous accounts of the supposed timidity of post-war culture. The book provides a comprehensive examination of novels, plays, essays, and films from this period, unearthing neglected texts and reevaluating canonical works. By engaging these literary and cultural artifacts with mid-century architecture, exhibitions, and material culture, the book offers a fresh perspective on a historically overlooked era, challenging previous narratives that portray post-war culture as timid.

Weight: 540g
Dimension: 162 x 240 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526132772