The Gothic fragment is a type of

Gothic fiction Gothic fiction, sometimes referred to as Gothic horror (primarily in the 20th century), is a literary aesthetic of fear and haunting. The name of the genre is derived from the Renaissance era use of the word "gothic", as a pejorative to mean me ...

characterized by short, atmospheric stories with abrupt beginnings and ends. Widely popular in the late 18th century, gothic fragments are narratives driven by

supernatural Supernatural phenomena or entities are those beyond the Scientific law, laws of nature. The term is derived from Medieval Latin , from Latin 'above, beyond, outside of' + 'nature'. Although the corollary term "nature" has had multiple meanin ...

motifs without explanation. Many were inspired by the works of

Nathan Drake Nathan Drake ( Morgan) is a character and the protagonist of the ''Uncharted'' franchise, most notably in the Uncharted, video game series, developed by Naughty Dog. He appears in all mainline games: ''Uncharted: Drake's Fortune'', ''Uncharted 2 ...

, Anna Aikin, and

John Aikin John Aikin (15 January 1747 – 7 December 1822) was an English medical doctor and surgeon. Later in life he devoted himself wholly to biography and writing in periodicals. Life He was born at Kibworth Harcourt, Leicestershire, England, son of ...

Definition and analysis

The Gothic fragment is a type of short

popular in the late 18th century, perhaps approaching the popularity of the Gothic novels of the time. Unlike the Gothic tale, fragments focus mostly on atmosphere instead of plot, and they are written mostly to astonish the reader rather than provide a moral conclusion. While some fragments attempt to explain

elements of their stories, most do not, and fragments typically start abruptly and end without resolution. In this way, Gothic fragments are largely dissimilar from Gothic novels. Although their beginnings and endings are abrupt, they are not incomplete narratives. Many fragments were published in literary magazines like the ''

Lady's Magazine 1795–1820 in Western fashion#Women's fashion, London Regency-fashionable Walking Dresseses, often referred to as Promenade Dresses, July 1812, including a spencer ''The Lady's Magazine; or Entertaining Companion for the Fair Sex, Appropria ...

'' and the '' Lady's Monthly Museum''. Several are inspired by "Sir Bertrand: A Fragment" (in ''Miscellaneous Pieces in Prose'', 1773) and "Montmorenci, a Fragment" (by

, 1790). While distinctions between Gothic tales and fragments are not entirely well-defined – some stories, like "Fitzalan" (1797), tend to belong in both categories – most fragments are distinctively fragmentary.

Examples

* "Sir Bertrand: A Fragment" – the first Gothic fragment, written by

Anna Anna may refer to: People Surname and given name * Anna (name) Mononym * Anna the Prophetess, in the Gospel of Luke * Anna of East Anglia, King (died c.654) * Anna (wife of Artabasdos) (fl. 715–773) * Anna (daughter of Boris I) (9th–10th c ...

and/or

(1773) * "A Fragment. In the Manner of the Old Romances" – story inspired by "Sir Bertrand: A Fragment" by

Mary Hays Mary Hays (1759–1843) was an autodidact intellectual who published essays, poetry, novels and several works on famous (and infamous) women. She is remembered for her early feminism, and her close relations to dissenting and radical thinker ...

(1789) * "Story of Sir Gawen" – story by Nathan Drake (1790) * "The Two Knights. A Fragment" – story inspired by "Sir Bertrand: A Fragment" by W. G. (1795) * "Lothaire: A Legend" – story by Harriet Lee * "Sir Edmund, a Gothic Fragment" – story by "Fredericsberg Germanicus" (1796) * "Montmorenci, a Fragment" – story by Nathan Drake (1798) * "

Raymond; a Fragment "Raymond; a Fragment" is a short Gothic story published in 1799. Signed under the pseudonym Juvenis, it was reprinted, plagiarized, and served as the inspiration for other Gothic tales; it was likely inspired by a 1796 Gothic story. It is part of ...

" – story inspired by "Sir Edmund, a Gothic Fragment" by the

pseudonymous A pseudonym (; ) or alias () is a fictitious name that a person assumes for a particular purpose, which differs from their original or true meaning (orthonym). This also differs from a new name that entirely or legally replaces an individual's ow ...

Definition and analysis

Examples

Notes and references

Notes

Citations

Works cited