All literary devices have traveled from the beginning of time and down through history until the current day and onward into the future. Like water which changes forms but never disappears, humanity’s collective consciousness comes out in words which takes various shapes but are made from the same material. For example, the gothic literary period from nineteenth century is noted for dark, brooding menacing stories with symbolic messages which have followed us into the 21st century. In fact, there is evidence in the “goth” trend going on today.
When examining the gothic period and the story elements which continue to speak to us today, there are specific tags to look for: gloom and doom; mystery and suspense; omens and visions; supernatural events; high emotion; damsels in distress; and castle settings.
Gloom and Doom
These elements extend into many art forms, including comic book characters and their stories. Batman serves is a very good example the gothic tradition. To begin with, gloom and doom is personified in the city, Gotham. Interestingly enough, if you take the last two letters from the word “gothic (ic)” and put “am” in its place, the name becomes Gotham, or “Goth am,” which tells us what Batman is about In fact, the city is as much of a gothic character as Batman. The city is always dark, regardless of what time the action takes place. The oversized architecture seems to block the streets from sunshine—almost as though the distorted, overwhelming buildings and the office societies contained within them, push away any light which might expose true colors. Instead, the city is shrouded in blacks and grays. Plus, gargoyle-type sculptures adorning the tops of these buildings skulk high above the streets like silent witnesses whose grins speak evil delight. It is in the alleys of Gotham where Batman sees his parents murdered in front of him when just 10-years-old—the initial wound which breaks him into two personas, one of which becomes a living version of a winged gargoyle, a bat-winged creature who watches over the city as he traverses the rooftops.
Gotham’s darkness contributed to his parents’ murder, which in turn created Batman. In a sense, the city takes his parents’ place. Batman vows to protect Gotham and its citizens in a never-ending struggle to pay the price for allowing his parents’ murder. Like the gargoyles, he is doomed to remain in Gotham—a permanent structure cemented in place, unable to free himself from the city where the night never ends and his penance never begins.
Supernatural Events
Batman doesn’t have specific powers like Superman, Ironman or the Hulk. Rather, his power comes from his need to avenge his parents. Somehow the dark side of Batman manages to overcome villains who possess special powers in extraordinary, inexplicable ways. No villain ever succeeds in killing Batman, no matter how hard they try or how infallible their plans are. Taking on the bat persona provides supernatural abilities.
Omens and Visions
In order to pay penance for his parents’ murder, Bruce Wayne is determined to protect Gotham and its citizens. Therefore, he does all he can to become a successful business man worth millions, as well as train physically and intellectually. However, Wayne knows his own strength as a man won’t be enough to carry out his promise and states, “Criminals are a superstitious and cowardly lot, so my disguise must be able to strike terror into their hearts. I must be a creature of the night, black, terrible…” At this point, a bat flies through the window, which is enough of an omen for Wayne to accept the bat as his standard bearer.
Horror and Dread
The story comes from horror. A young boy watches as his parents are murdered in front of him. From this point forward, dread pervades Batman’s life. We know he will never find happiness. His purpose will remain unresolved forever.
The villains who arrive on the scene are all damaged people. And just as we recognize Batman’s darkness, we recognize bits and pieces of the villains in ourselves, though we don’t want to admit it. This recognition carries its own horror and dread, whether we consciously recognize the reasons or not.
Mystery and Suspense
Who is Batman? This is the main mystery. What was it about losing his parents which caused such a rift in Batman’s personality? We can’t reach into Batman’s psyche but we relate to him. We watch, searching for clues. If we understand Batman’s character, perhaps we will better understand ourselves. This same mystery extends to the villains as well.
Naturally, all Batman stories are built on suspense.
Castle Settings
Most gothic novels of the 19th century are set in castles or large homes. Many times there are secret staircases, hidden rooms and mysterious passages. In fact, often caves which contain monsters are part of the setting.
Bruce Wayne lives in a manor with a secret passage linking to a hidden cave beneath. He is Bruce Wayne while in the manor but becomes a beast or monster when he descends into the cave.
Themes from the 19th century are with us in the 21st century. The darker side of our own divided natures recognizes something familiar in the mystery, gloom and omens. Batman won’t let us forget this part of our collective consciousness—the “goth” in us all.