What is the difference between gothic literature, and american gothic literature?

Jor Mel: What is the difference between gothic literature, and american gothic literature?
If you can share some insight, or have some literature that would help me better understand, that would be greatly appreciated!

Answers and Views:

Answer by Jst4e
Gothic Literature has both horror and romanace elements in it’s writing. Orginally,it was invented by the English author Horace Walpole, with his 1764 novel The Castle of Otranto.

American Gothic Literature is an literary subgenre, also known as dark romanticism, popular in 19th century America, popular writers were: Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau and Margaret Fuller and my Fave Edgar Allen Poe.

American Gothic Literature is a dark, gloomy place, often (but not always) full of supernatural powers. The people are tormented with strong emotions, obsessive love and deep grief. The taboos are broken although the supernatural elements seem to be present everywhere, they are not essential?

Hope this helps 😛

Answer by booknik
American Gothic is a sub-genre so it shares many of the characteristics the big difference though is in influence and concepts. Gothic Literature is influenced by the idea of ruins and builds from there thus basing it in the demolishing of civilized culture. It is going to have themes of degradation or abuse. It’s historical backdrop is in the shear age of Western society and passing of time. American Gothic is marked by chaos and the absence rather than the destruction of culture. Compared to Europe America is considered a baby in the sense of Western society’s definition of culture. Instead is draws from the horrors of racial tensions and vastness of the unknown.