Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Is The Outsider by H.P Lovecraft more of a horror story or an example of the Gothic genre?

"The Outsider" by H.P. Lovecraft is a piece of Gothic fiction that contains elements of horror. Gothic fiction, a genre that can be described as the extreme of Dark Romanticism, often reflects elements of horror in its writings, as well as sadness, gloom, the supernatural, personal torment, and romance. While the genre of Horror tends to present outright terror and fear as the central motif of the novel, Gothic literature often presents a more subtle and complicated presentation. Horror is often presented in Gothic literature through a character's personal torment or tragic life.
For instance, in "The Outsider," the monster, who is the narrator of the short story, is not terrifying to the readers simply by being a monster, but through its torment at the realization of its personal identity and relation to the rest of the world. The personal torment and loneliness that resides in the monster's soul and the desolate and isolating setting of its home is what creates a sense of horror.

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