Gothic Fiction/Gothic Form

Gothic Fiction/Gothic Form, Volume 1, provides a comprehensive analysis of the Gothic revival in literature. George E Haggerty examines the relationship between literary form and emotional impact, introducing the concept of affective form to reassess the place of the Gothic tale in literary history. This work of history and criticism explores how the tale functions as a structural tool to resolve the incoherence often found in Gothic novels.

The text analyzes English fiction and American fiction, focusing on horror tales from authors such as Walpole, Radcliffe, Shelley, Poe, and James. By studying these English horror tales and American horror tales, Haggerty demonstrates how the Gothic tale enhances emotional intelligibility and addresses ontological challenges. This study serves as a significant contribution to the fields of narratology and literary form, offering new insights into the generic identity of Gothic fiction.