Gothicism has become a subculture in the recent times. But, it is not the same Goth trend, which originated before the medieval era. This trend began in the Victorian Era, and its seeds were sown around a century ago from that era with Horace Walpole’s novel “The Castle of Otranto” written in 1764. This trend was based on the horror fiction, and the aforementioned novel has also been written on the horror theme. A number of such Gothic horror novels were composed in the 19th century. The famous horror character Dracula also originated in the Goth novels. It was first seen in the Bram Stoker’s novel “Dracula” that was written in the year 1897.
These horror themes inspired the film makers of the modern era also, and a number of movies on such themes were composed in the modern times. A 2009 film “Gothika” is one of the best examples in this regard. In a number of films and novels on the Goth concept, we find the existence of a spirit, which enters inside a person’s body, but finally it is forced to leave it.
According to some experts, the ghosts and vampires of these novels are the metaphors of the negative traits of humanity. Industrialization started in the Victorian Era, and it showed its negative influences also. Negativity started entering in the human being. Therefore, some of the authors started writing on it in the metaphorical way.
The impact of this new-age Gothicism is not limited up to the stories, but it is reflected in the lifestyles of a number of people. The people, who are following this subculture, like to wear the special style costumes of dark colors. These dark-colored gothic shirts and other dresses have become part of the fashion trends in the modern times.
Apart from the gothic clothing, the gothic women like to consume the black nail polish and lipstick. Many of the Goth people also like to blacken their hair.
Moreover, new style music also came in the limelight, which we know as the gothic rock. It is a type of keyboard heavy music, which also reflects the concept of Gothicism.
Interestingly, the influence of many other subcultures can also be witnessed in the Goth trends. It most importantly seems to be influenced with steampunk. Steampunk is a Victorian science fiction subculture and is very close to the Gothicism in the portrayal of ghosts, vampires and extreme capabilities of science and technology. But, it is different from Goth as it is based on the adventure based themes. Some people keep steampunk, and Goth in the same category, but still there are some differences. Besides, some other trends also put the impact on it, such as pirate, Lolita and more.
The fashion of gothic corsets undoubtedly adds flamboyance to the styles of people.
