Gothic Culture as Catharsis: From the Emergence of an Artistic Genre to the Construction of a Sociocultural Identity

Abstract

The Gothic is an artistic tradition that has prevailed in Western culture for more than 250 years. Emerging in eighteenth-century literature and spreading to different mediums, the Gothic aesthetic developed around the exploration of time, terror, taboos, and anxieties. In fact, the Gothic mode allows the interpretation of fear in specific contexts, and through various forms of art. Gothic culture relies on catharsis, the purgation of negative emotions through art, and this aspect is a propelling force in the creation of Gothic works. As an inspired and constantly renewing genre, the Gothic transcends time and is disseminated in different cultures and art forms. It directly impacts the audience’s minds as it provides closure on shared historical issues such as wars, political changes, or social progress. In postmodern societies, postpunk Goth music continued Gothic cathartic expressions and engaged listeners in the scene’s lifestyle. This subcultural movement led audiences to participate through a redefinition and affirmation of their tastes and practices. As a cathartic sociocultural identity, Goth offers a way for people attracted to it to better understand their sense of self. This thesis will explore the numerous instances of catharsis emanating from the Gothic aesthetic in literature, theatre, visual arts, cinema, television, videogames, and music. Finally, it will demonstrate how the Goth sociocultural identity stems from these instances, as a contemporary actualization of the genre’s functions.