• HIMANSHI CHATURVEDI

In English literature, there is a fairly broad classification of the gothic genre. The study delves into the consequences of Julia Kristeva's 'Power of Horror' theory in order to gain a deeper comprehension of the Gothic genre. The present research compares the themes of historical and contemporary Gothic literature, showing how gothic genres thematically vary with time. The initial gothic novels were mostly concerned with exaggerated thriller and horror themes, such as monsters, demons, and supernatural evils. The emphasis of the current gothic novels is primarily based on social issues of exploitation, subjection, and suffering for weaker groups of people. The contemporary gothic novels began to shape from real criminal cases or actual life events, compared to the superstitious and convictions in traditional ones. The criticism of local social views, race, politics, gender, and religion that characterizes contemporary Gothic literature is combined with aspects of the paranormal, magic realism, and satire. The writers and artists of Gothic literature altered the Gothic subgenre by including certain characteristics like mystery, darkness, and obscured areas. The exaggerated romances of the traditional gothic novels were given less emphasis in their contemporaneity while seeking to examine psychological insights. Gothic writers began to develop their emotional impacts through the gothic aspects, which allowed gothic literature to offer a fitting atmosphere that corresponded within the genre. This article attempts to present an overview of Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights (1847) from past gothic novels and Toni Morrison’s Beloved (1987) as contemporary classic gothic novels, contrasting thematically how they developed.

Gothic literature, Past, Contemporary, Sensibility, Feminism, Post Colonialism, Consequences

"Comparative Re-evaluation of Gothic Genre through Toni Morrison’s Beloved and Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights.", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 1, page no.b68-b76, January-2024, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2401108.pdf

"Comparative Re-evaluation of Gothic Genre through Toni Morrison’s Beloved and Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights.", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 1, page no. ppb68-b76, January-2024, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2401108.pdf