Why Gothic Stories Appeal Across Generations

Gothic explores the mysterious but it relates to each generation a little differently.

This past weekend, snowed in, watching and reading the news, I felt the grip of darkness. So, I wanted to continue my conversation about gothic because I think it's relevant to what we're experiencing.

Last week I mentioned that among the various writer-related groups I belong to, Boomers, Gen X, and Millennials all find something captivating in gothic literature. I think our current environment contributes to the appeal, as human emotion is looking for expression.

In contrast, I don’t find the same broad appeal for, say, hockey romcom or culinary cozy mysteries or military thrillers. I'm not saying those aren't entertaining genres, because they are. And if you're a reader or writer who enjoys those genres, great! But I have observed many different age groups feel an emotional connection to gothic, especially recently, unlike other genres, and this got me wondering why.

So, I've been doing some reading and thinking about gothic, and would love to have a conversation with you about its appeal. Here are my thoughts:

For All Generations

At its foundation, gothic boldly explores big human emotions and themes, which are connective tissue across generations, allowing many people of different ages and backgrounds to enjoy a shared experience with a well-told story that takes on issues of life and death, power and inequality, morality, gender, human failings, and even human triumphs. Instead of offering an escape from what's real and human, gothic provides a safe space to confront difficult and confusing issues, using features like suspense, the supernatural, secrets, curses, etc.

Boomers & Gothic

Many boomers, like me, grew up with what became classic films (many from the golden age of Hollywood, which is earlier than the Boomers), such as Dracula (and multiple reboots), Rebecca and Dragonwyck. For this generation, gothic stories evoke nostalgia and a connection to literary works. What resonates deeply for me and others I’ve spoken with is the genre’s exploration of human vulnerability, combined with themes of love, redemption and hope.

Gen X & Gothic

Based on what some Gen Xers have told me, Gen X readers appreciate the genre’s darker, psychological aspects. Gothic stories offer a way to explore feelings of alienation, otherness, isolation and anxieties about who or what to trust. That feels very relevant for today. Think about films like Edward Scissorhands and The Lost Boys. Maybe for a Gen X reader, a gothic tale offers a way to navigate uncertainty.

Millennials & Gothic

Gothic strikes a chord with Millennials, too, many of whom remember fantastical stories like The Spiderwick Chronicles and Coraline from their childhoods. (My daughter, an on-the-cusp Millennial/Zillennial, loved both when she was growing up.) For this generation, gothic relates to the exploration of identity, the drive to nurture individuality and freedom, and the courage to face cruelty and indifference. Again, you can hear the resonance with current events.

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What generation do you identify with, and what do you think attracts your generation to gothic tales? Haunt the comments box and let's make this a conversation. And if you'd like to explore some wonderful gothic-y reads, don't forget to check out: International Gothic Reading Month.