Gloomy FantasyKirsten Nguyen

4th

What is Literary Theory? Literary theory or criticism is a collection of different lenses

that critics or readers use to evaluate a certain work. The different lenses allow the critics/readers to concentrate

on certain aspects of a literary work. There are various of literary theories that can be used to

dissect a literary work to reveal the true meaning of the work.

The different literary theories help analyze the importance of a certain work.

Examples of a Literary TheoryMarxism

Marxism was based on the concepts of Karl Marx.

Marxism theory focuses on the social standing of the different classes.

This belief examines ongoing conflict between classes.

Marxism defines the importance of class in a society and where it stands.

Example• An example Marxism in a

literary work is Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. Victor Frankenstein has created a monster, and once he brought it to life, he automatically makes the monster an outcast. Because of the monsters’ horrid looks, Victor makes him somewhat isolated, as if he were apart of a different social class.

Purpose of Literary Theories

Literary theory help readers and critics see a work through different lenses.

It opens a horizon of importance for different works.

The lenses help critics and readers consider the possibilities a literary work can behold.

It interprets a certain understanding for many different people.

My Theory My theory is “gloomy fantasy”, in relations to dark romanticism. According to most psychologists, everyone potentially has a “dark side.” Certain people may inhabit a sinful or unusual behavior that suggests a gloomy

fantasy theory. The world is foreseen as a happy and bright setting, but in actuality, it is not what it

seems; the world is full of uncertainty and can be a pretty dark place, A gloomy fantasy acknowledges the true evil and horror of man and reveals shady

secrets. The use of gloomy fantasy enhances suspense and gives an uneasy feeling when

engaging in a specific work. In some cases, for example, a person may deceive others to think that he/she is

innocent, but in actuality, they can be as dark and evil as the midnight sky. Gloomy fantasy show cases the abnormality of human nature and mainly portrays

emotions and intuition, rather than logic and reason.o This relates to literature because it expresses the darker, and

haunting truth of what may appear like an innocent and normal plot/situation.

“The Tell-Tale Heart” Edagr Allan Poe

Gloomy fantasy would relate to “The Tell-Tale Heart” because it shows evidence of a dark and wicked behavior. The fantasy of the story is the narrators imagination and deception of the old man’s vulture eye. There is a great possibility that the narrator maybe insane and his insanity is what defines his gloominess. The narrator goes overboard and kills the old man; he dissembles the old man’s limbs and plants him under the floor. Soon, the narrator becomes paranoid, hearing the beating heart of the deceased man. The malicious acts committed by the narrator suggests the concepts of gloomy fantasy.

Works Cited https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/722/01/ http://www.iep.utm.edu/literary/