Key Issue 1: Role of the Supernatural (Ata, Nadir, Ross, Mohammed R)

KEY ISSUE: SUPERNATURAL IN GOTHIC LITERATURE

-Supernatural is usually used in relation with the fear of the unknown. An integral part of the human psyche, the typical human trait of being afraid of thing we don’t understand is taken advantage on in gothic literature. Antagonists in Gothic books take on supernatural traits, such as Dracula from Dracula and Dorian Grey from the famous book series by Robert Downey Jr., Dorian Gray, and Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. All of these play off the fact that the protagonist has no idea as to what is going on. As the Victorian era progressed, the practice of Spiritualism began to grow, both in practice and in notoriety. Because of this spike in interest, the frequency of séances and supernatural phenomenon soon drew the attention of the public. 

Supernatural in Dorian Gary,

Unconsciously, Dorian makes a pact with the Devil in Basil’s studio. He does so by expressing his wish to preserve his youth, and desires that the painting that Basil made of him should age instead of him. Little did he know that he was making a pact with the Evil one, which would lead to his eventual downfall. His flirting with the unknown became the catalyst to his demise.