Classic Horror - (Historical Explorations of Literature) by Anne DeLong (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

A valuable resource for readers exploring the classic horror genre, this book presents primary source documents alongside analysis in an examination of the social, political, and economic factors reflected in 19th century Gothic literature.

The nineteenth century was a time of social, cultural, and economic change; revolutionary scientific developments; and enduring imaginative works. This book explores the classic horror genre of Gothic literature in its historical and social contexts. It contains chapters on four major works of classic horror, with each chapter providing a mix of background information, primary source historical documents, and analysis that will appeal as much to high school and college students as to lovers of literature and the Victorian era.

Coleridge's The Rime of the Ancient Mariner is contextualized through documents pertaining to British imperialism, Antarctic Exploration, and the burgeoning environmentalist movement. Shelley's Frankenstein is explored through sections on galvanism, electricity, grave robbing, and the vitalist debate. Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is read through explanations of nineteenth-century drug use and addiction and early theories of psychology and criminology. Stoker's Dracula is studied with reference to such topics as mesmerism, clairvoyance, alienism, medical ethics, xenophobia, and Victorian pseudoscience.

Review Quotes

"A wealth of primary documents is included, and they will help students discern connections between gothic texts, sometimes seen as escapist in their appeal, and the cultural cross-currents and controversies that inspired them. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower- and upper-division undergraduates; general readers." --Choice

"This work would make an excellent addition to either a public, academic, or school library. The text is written to appeal to a wide range of readers, understandable to younger students or those with a general interest in the subject while also providing primary source material and discussion of themes that would appeal to students of higher education and academics." --ARBA

"2018 Top Community College Resource" --Choice

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