1. Going GothicGoing Gothic
A Content Analysis of Gothic and Horror Literature for Young AdultsA Content Analysis of Gothic and Horror Literature for Young Adults
Elizabeth HughesElizabeth Hughes
Graduate School of Library and Information ScienceGraduate School of Library and Information Science
Queens CollegeQueens College
GLIS 709GLIS 709
Spring Semester 2014Spring Semester 2014

2. The ProblemThe Problem
One of the biggest challenges facing Young AdultOne of the biggest challenges facing Young Adult
(YA) Librarians is motivating young adults to(YA) Librarians is motivating young adults to
read.read.
It is important for YA Librarians to understandIt is important for YA Librarians to understand
what materials teens are looking for, as well as,what materials teens are looking for, as well as,
how to appeal to their literary tastes.how to appeal to their literary tastes.
This study is a content analysis of young adultThis study is a content analysis of young adult
novels found under one specific genre heading,novels found under one specific genre heading,
gothic and horror novels, published from 2003 togothic and horror novels, published from 2003 to
2013.2013.
It has examined the trends, similarities andIt has examined the trends, similarities and
significant changes between 33 titles to helpsignificant changes between 33 titles to help
librarians better understand this genre and how itlibrarians better understand this genre and how it
appeals to a teen audience.appeals to a teen audience.

3. What We Already Know aboutWhat We Already Know about
GothicGothic LiteratureLiterature
-The gothic genre dates back to 1764, when Horace Walpole published The Castle of Otranto (Kies,
1992).
-Other authors, such as Bram Stoker, Mary Shelley and Emily Bronte soon followed suit and the
gothic generation swept England.
-The Gothic quickly moved onto American soil. These stories represented the paradox of the
“American Dream,”: settlers were coming here to make a better life for themselves, yet they soon
realized the country wasn’t what they expected. Gothic stories mirrored these experiences and
hit a nerve with new americans and their faith in social and material progress (Hoegle, 2002).
-It wasn’t long before the likes of Edgar Allan Poe and Nathaniel Hawthorne took the country by
storm and wrote tales which reflected both the past writings of this genre, as well as broke new
grounds and gave way to the macabre.

4. Why Do Young Adults ReadWhy Do Young Adults Read
Gothic and Horror Novels?Gothic and Horror Novels?
- Horror and gothic literature is meant to scare and intimidate readers, while still coaxing them to turn
the page and see what happens next.
- It captures the attentions of all young adult readers, advanced and reluctant, because readers are able
to relate to the stories, despite what reading level they may be at (Jensen, 2013).
- Themes include: coming of age, finding the power within yourself, thinking outside the box and not
being afraid to be yourself.
- These stories provide an outlet.
- Characters help readers “feel at ease with their own world,” and “feel a mystical sense of being that
can’t be found anywhere else” (The Alluring Darkness: Finding Belonging in Fangs and Wands, 2008).

5. MethodologyMethodology
• Content Analysis of 33 young adult horror/gothic novels published betweenContent Analysis of 33 young adult horror/gothic novels published between
2003 and 2013.2003 and 2013.
• Qualitative Data was collected due to the focus on literary characteristics andQualitative Data was collected due to the focus on literary characteristics and
content of these novels.content of these novels.
• Definition of Terms has been established for ideas and terms most used in thisDefinition of Terms has been established for ideas and terms most used in this
study.study.
• Research Instrument used was a checklist to record data for each of the titlesResearch Instrument used was a checklist to record data for each of the titles
selected.selected.

6. Books Used for this StudyBooks Used for this Study
2003 - 20132003 - 2013

7. The ChecklistThe Checklist
Content Analysis for Young Adult Gothic Literature
This worksheet is to be used by the author of the research paper. It is meant to track the qualities found within each piece of literature analyzed. It is not meant for
public use.
Title
Author
Year Published
Publisher
Reading Age Level
Is the author male or female?
_____ Male
_____ Female
Is this book part of a larger series/trilogy or does it stand alone?
_____ Stand Alone
_____ Trilogy
_____ Series
Is the main character male or female?
_____ Male
_____ Female
How many of the 5 major Gothic themes are present in the story?
0 1 2 3 4 5
Is there any love interest/love triangle?
_____ Yes
_____ No
How many supernatural beings are introduced in the story?
0 1 2 3 4 5
Does this novel also crossover into other genres?
_____ Yes
_____ No
Has this book received any literary awards?
_____ Yes
_____ No

8. Findings and Analysis of DataFindings and Analysis of Data
On average, at least 5 Gothic elements are found in each YA novel. All novelsOn average, at least 5 Gothic elements are found in each YA novel. All novels
featured an abandoned castle/mansion/warehouse, a dark atmosphere whichfeatured an abandoned castle/mansion/warehouse, a dark atmosphere which
propelled the story and some type of supernatural being, good and evil.propelled the story and some type of supernatural being, good and evil.
Earlier novels featured more male protagonists, an action driven plot and wereEarlier novels featured more male protagonists, an action driven plot and were
written by male authors.written by male authors.
Later novels saw more female authors, female protagonists and more romanticLater novels saw more female authors, female protagonists and more romantic
story lines.story lines.
Novels published between 2009 to 2013 won more award nominations,Novels published between 2009 to 2013 won more award nominations,
honorable mentions and garnered more literary attention from the Americanhonorable mentions and garnered more literary attention from the American
Library Association and professional publications then those published fromLibrary Association and professional publications then those published from
2003 to 2008.2003 to 2008.
The biggest change that appeared was the language used. Prior to 2008, mostThe biggest change that appeared was the language used. Prior to 2008, most
supernatural beings had names like Peeps, Hemes, Cradlejacks and Wych-supernatural beings had names like Peeps, Hemes, Cradlejacks and Wych-
Hunters. After 2008, these beings were more likely to be referred to asHunters. After 2008, these beings were more likely to be referred to as
vampires, werewolves and witch hunters.vampires, werewolves and witch hunters.

9. Appeal FactorsAppeal Factors
for Teens.for Teens.
• Median age of protagonists is 15.7 yearsMedian age of protagonists is 15.7 years
old.old.
• Between 2003 to 2013, there was a dramaticBetween 2003 to 2013, there was a dramatic
increase in strong female protagonists.increase in strong female protagonists.
• There was also a strong increase in usingThere was also a strong increase in using
love interests and love triangles to propel alove interests and love triangles to propel a
storyline, especially after 2008.storyline, especially after 2008.
• Themes of novels remained constant;Themes of novels remained constant;
coming of age, accepting yourself andcoming of age, accepting yourself and
facing your fears are among the top three.facing your fears are among the top three.
• There is a fair mix of protagonists whoThere is a fair mix of protagonists who
have supernatural powers, some whohave supernatural powers, some who
acquire powers and others who remainacquire powers and others who remain
human throughout the story, no matter thehuman throughout the story, no matter the
year published.year published.

10. Summary and ConclusionsSummary and Conclusions
• The genre of Gothic/Horror is ever evolving in Young AdultThe genre of Gothic/Horror is ever evolving in Young Adult
Literature.Literature.
• Librarians must stay current and be aware of the titles available toLibrarians must stay current and be aware of the titles available to
better serve their patrons.better serve their patrons.
• Even if horror is not your strong suit, don’t under estimate its appealEven if horror is not your strong suit, don’t under estimate its appeal
and entertainment values to its audience. Remember how manyand entertainment values to its audience. Remember how many
novels, movies, TV shows, video games, etc. are being released all yearnovels, movies, TV shows, video games, etc. are being released all year
long, not just during the month of October.long, not just during the month of October.
• Don’t be afraid to talk to teens and find out what it is about these titlesDon’t be afraid to talk to teens and find out what it is about these titles
that appeals to them. Is it the horror? Is it the romance? Is it thethat appeals to them. Is it the horror? Is it the romance? Is it the
writing style?writing style?