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.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 240 pages
\n Publication date: 28 September 2021
\n Publisher: Manchester University Press
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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 analysis 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 changes of the post-war era. The trauma of World War II and the rise of fascism had profound impacts on British society, leading to a questioning of traditional values and a search for new forms of expression. The Gothic genre provided a means to explore the darker aspects of human nature, including fear, obsession, and the supernatural, in a context that was both familiar and unsettling.

One of the key features of mid-century Gothic literature is its exploration of the autonomy of modern objects. The novels and films of this period often depict machines, technology, and other forms of industrialization as having a life of their own, capable of independent action and decision-making. This theme reflects the growing influence of science and technology on society and the growing sense of uncertainty and anxiety that accompanied this shift.

At the same time, mid-century Gothic narratives also emphasized the intimate connection between humans and these modern objects. The gothic genre often depicted humans as being consumed or controlled by these machines, with their bodies becoming extensions of the technology they rely on. This theme reflects the growing sense of alienation and disconnection that many people felt in the post-war era, as they struggled to adapt to a world that was rapidly changing and becoming more complex.

The mid-century Gothic movement also had a significant impact on the visual arts. The architecture of the period, characterized by its sleek lines, geometric shapes, and use of modern materials, was often seen as a reflection of the themes and anxieties of the literary and cultural movement. The buildings of the era, such as the Barbican Centre in London and the National Theatre in London, were designed to evoke a sense of modernity and technological progress, while also incorporating elements of the gothic genre, such as dark, cavernous spaces and dramatic lighting.

In conclusion, mid-Century Gothic is a significant literary and cultural phenomenon that emerged in Britain during the post-war era. It 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. Through its exploration of the autonomy of modern objects and the intimate connection between humans and these objects, the gothic genre provided a means to confront the darker aspects of human nature and the uncertainties of the post-war era. The movement had a significant impact on literature, film, architecture, and visual arts, and continues to be studied and celebrated today.

\n Weight: 388g\n
Dimension: 156 x 233 x 19 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781526160256\n \n