Final answer:
Transformation is central to gothic literature and is used to evoke fear. It is represented in Edgar Allan Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher" and "The Raven" through characters' physical and psychological decay. Allegra Ringo's article explores psychological transformation from a scientific perspective.
Step-by-step explanation:
Transformation is a pivotal element in gothic literature, used to evoke fear and explore the dark aspects of the human psyche. Edgar Allan Poe frequently employs the theme of transformation in his stories to disturb and frighten his readers.
In "The Fall of the House of Usher", transformation is depicted in the physical and mental decline of Roderick Usher, whose very being seems intertwined with his ancestral home, which also deteriorates and eventually collapses. This decay is not just physical but also a transformation of the mind, as Roderick Usher becomes consumed by madness and terror. The story reflects the gothic theme where the transformation often leads to the downfall of characters.
Similarly, in "The Raven", the protagonist experiences a transformation from a state of mournful longing for his lost love, Lenore, to a descent into madness. The raven, as a symbol of death, serves as the catalyst for this change, representing an unchangeable reality that overwhelms the protagonist and leads to his psychological transformation. The terror here is in the inescapability of grief and the consequent loss of sanity.
Allegra Ringo's article, "Why do some brains enjoy fear", examines the psychological transformation experienced by people when they engage with frightening material. It explores the transformation in the brain's chemistry, explaining the thrill of fear as a form of entertainment. While this transformation differs from Poe's approach, it plays on the element of change in one's emotional state that aligns with the concept seen in gothic stories.