The term "Gothic" conjures images of grim settings, such as crumbling castles and wild landscapes.
Gothic genre includes mysterious creatures like vampires, werewolves, and ghostly apparitions.
Gothic narratives explore themes of the unseen, repressed fears, uncertainty, anxiety, sexual danger, inheritance, and transgression.
Originated with Horace Walpole's "The Castle of Otranto" (1764) and popularized by authors like Ann Radcliffe.
Continues today through modern literature and media like "Twilight" and "The Haunting of Hill House".
Australian Gothic Tradition
Initially, Australia was thought unsuitable for Gothic due to its lack of European history and old ruins.
Despite this, a distinct Australian Gothic tradition evolved, influenced by colonization.
Examples include:
Albert Tucker’s painting "Apocalyptic Horse" (1956)
Kenneth Cook's novel "Wake in Fright" (1961)
Joan Lindsay's "Picnic at Hanging Rock"
George Miller's "Mad Max" films
Nick Cave and Kylie Minogue's song "Where the Wild Roses Grow"
Themes in Australian Gothic
Explores the dark side of the Australian experience, focusing on:
The natural environment's perceived hostility
Violence of colonization
Convict experiences of exile
Settler alienation
European fears of the racial "Other"
Depicted in works like Marcus Clarke's "For the Term of His Natural Life" (1874) and Henry Lawson's "The Bush Undertaker" (1892).
Contemporary Australian Gothic
Modern works continue exploring colonial anxieties and other themes.
Kate Grenville's "The Secret River" (2005) tackles the legacy of colonization.
Indigenous writers like Alexis Wright and Kim Scott redefine Gothic tropes, casting colonizers as the monstrous figures.
"Tasmanian Gothic" addresses colonial genocide and environmental issues.
Films like "The Hunter" (2011) explore the haunting of landscapes by extinct creatures.
Urban and Modern Takes
Jennifer Kent's "The Babadook" (2014) places Gothic themes in urban settings, exploring grief and parenting.
Tropical Australia features in Gothic portrayals, as seen in works by Janette Turner Hospital and Thea Astley.
Gothic's Cultural Impact
Gothic thrives during times of upheaval, addressing fears and social norms.
Remains popular as it continuously engages with historical and cultural anxieties, particularly concerning Australia's colonial past, race, gender, and cultural differences.