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'''Suburban Gothic''' is a sub-genre of [[Gothic Literature]], visual art, and [[Film|cinema]].
'''Suburban Gothic''' is a sub-genre of [[Gothic Literature]], visual art, and [[Film|cinema]].


Like its predecessor, Suburban Gothic writing is dark and disturbing, often employing psychological and supernatural devices to drive the plot along. It uses these devices not so much to entertain, but to explore social issues and to challenge the suburban dream.
Like its predecessor, the Suburban Gothic is dark and disturbing, often employing psychological and supernatural devices to drive the plot along. It uses these devices not so much to entertain, but to explore social issues and to challenge the suburban dream.


Suburban Gothic strives to break down the facade of normality that pervades suburbia. The knights and heroes of traditional Gothic literature have been replaced in most cases by a heroic underdog figure. The grotesqueness of its characters lay not in the dis-figuration of the body but of the mind, delving into the dark and twisted psyche of its characters.
Suburban Gothic strives to break down the facade of normality that pervades suburbia. The knights and heroes of traditional Gothic literature have been replaced in most cases by a heroic underdog figure. The grotesqueness of its characters lay not in the dis-figuration of the body but of the mind, delving into the dark and twisted psyche of its characters.
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In most cases in Suburban Gothic literature, good does not prevail. Wrongs are often left unrighted and often can not be righted. They are, in fact, often compounded when confronted.
In most cases in Suburban Gothic literature, good does not prevail. Wrongs are often left unrighted and often can not be righted. They are, in fact, often compounded when confronted.


This genre of writing is exemplified in the works of [[Edward Bloor]] and [[Robert Cormier]], and in some of the works of [[Stephen King]].
The Suburban Gothic genre of writing is exemplified in the works of [[Shirley Jackson]], [[Tom Perotta]], [[Edward Bloor]] and [[Robert Cormier]], and on occasion, [[Stephen King]].


Visual artists who explore suburban gothic themes include [[Gregory Crewdson]], [[Joel Sternfeld]], and [[Thomas Cummins]].
Visual artists who explore suburban gothic themes include [[Gregory Crewdson]], [[Joel Sternfeld]], and [[Thomas Cummins]].


Suburban Gothic has emerged as a considerable genre in contemporary [[film]]. The genre mixes elements of drama, thriller, dark comedy, and even fantasy, all to the idyllic settings of fences, lawns, and boxes. This style has seen an impressive build-up under the wings of such auteurs as [[David Lynch]], [[Larry Clark]], [[Todd Solondz]], and [[Todd Field]]. A flourish in these dark suburban films has grown over the last several decades, filling the void, along with [[Southern Gothic]] & [[Urban Gothic]], for true American gothic enlightenment. Archetypal portraits of the grotesque suburbs can be seen in such films as: [[Blue Velvet (film)|Blue Velvet]], [[Edward Scissorhands]], [[American Beauty (film)|American Beauty]], and [[Donnie Darko]].
Suburban Gothic has emerged as a subtle yet prolific genre of contemporary [[film]]. The genre mixes elements of drama, thriller, dark comedy, and even the fantastic or surreal, all set to the idyllic landscape of fences, lawns, and boxes. The modern American Suburban Gothic has seen an impressive catalgohue of artistic expression under the helm of such auteurs as [[David Lynch]], [[Larry Clark]], [[Harmony Korine]], [[Todd Solondz]], and [[Todd Field]]. A flourish in these dark suburban films has grown over the last several decades, filling the void, along with [[Southern Gothic]] & [[Urban Gothic]], for true American gothic enlightenment. Archetypal portraits of the gothic suburban landscape and its complex characters can be seen in such films as: [[Blue Velvet (film)|Blue Velvet]], [[Edward Scissorhands]], [[Happiness (1998 film)|Happiness]], [[American Beauty (film)|American Beauty]], and [[Donnie Darko]].


==Literature==
==Literature==

Revision as of 23:12, 23 April 2010

Suburban Gothic is a sub-genre of Gothic Literature, visual art, and cinema.

Like its predecessor, the Suburban Gothic is dark and disturbing, often employing psychological and supernatural devices to drive the plot along. It uses these devices not so much to entertain, but to explore social issues and to challenge the suburban dream.

Suburban Gothic strives to break down the facade of normality that pervades suburbia. The knights and heroes of traditional Gothic literature have been replaced in most cases by a heroic underdog figure. The grotesqueness of its characters lay not in the dis-figuration of the body but of the mind, delving into the dark and twisted psyche of its characters.

In most cases in Suburban Gothic literature, good does not prevail. Wrongs are often left unrighted and often can not be righted. They are, in fact, often compounded when confronted.

The Suburban Gothic genre of writing is exemplified in the works of Shirley Jackson, Tom Perotta, Edward Bloor and Robert Cormier, and on occasion, Stephen King.

Visual artists who explore suburban gothic themes include Gregory Crewdson, Joel Sternfeld, and Thomas Cummins.

Suburban Gothic has emerged as a subtle yet prolific genre of contemporary film. The genre mixes elements of drama, thriller, dark comedy, and even the fantastic or surreal, all set to the idyllic landscape of fences, lawns, and boxes. The modern American Suburban Gothic has seen an impressive catalgohue of artistic expression under the helm of such auteurs as David Lynch, Larry Clark, Harmony Korine, Todd Solondz, and Todd Field. A flourish in these dark suburban films has grown over the last several decades, filling the void, along with Southern Gothic & Urban Gothic, for true American gothic enlightenment. Archetypal portraits of the gothic suburban landscape and its complex characters can be seen in such films as: Blue Velvet, Edward Scissorhands, Happiness, American Beauty, and Donnie Darko.

Literature

Films

Television

See Also

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