• DR. SMITA MISHRA

The term ‘Gothic’ was used as a medieval style of intricate architecture and ornate around the 12th century which also originated in France. It was in the Romantic age in the late 18th century when this was actually applied to literature. Gothic literature was mentioned in 1764 for the first time, in English writer Horace Walpole’s, ‘The castle of Otranto’. A Gothic novel consists of supernatural events and combine elements from horror and romanticism. It can also be explained in a way that it deals with such elements or happening in nature which cannot be explained easily or over which humans have no control. It’s most common plots are mystery and suspense. Gothic literature contains characteristics like horror, mystery, magic, clanking of chains, ghosts, supernatural activities, dark elements, dark castles to create an uncanny effect. Over the period of time Gothic elements have shifted from the outer aspect to an inner aspect of human psyche. Shirley Jackson’s novel ‘We have always lived in the castle’ depicts the power of Gothic through the hands of a master artisan. My paper will introduce the background of Gothic fiction in Literature and will also explore the elements used in crafting this novel which makes it a remarkable work in the genre of mystery, thriller and Gothic.

Gothic, mystery, horror, supernatural, haunting, death.

"A STUDY OF GOTHIC ELEMENTS IN SHIRLEY JACKSON’S “WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN THE CASTLE”", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 12, page no.222-224, December 2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1908499.pdf

"A STUDY OF GOTHIC ELEMENTS IN SHIRLEY JACKSON’S “WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN THE CASTLE”", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 12, page no. pp222-224, December 2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1908499.pdf