by Jennifer Doneske

Created on: August 05, 2008

The word "Gothic" has had quite an evolution.

It began as the name of an ancient Teutonic tribe of people in Western Europe - the Ostrogoths (who conquered Italy in the 5th Century) and the Visigoths (who had kingdoms in France and Spain in the 4th Century). They were conquerors, and they were seen as "savage" by many people of the time. When they themselves were finally conquered, the term "gothic" became a common insult to call someone "savage" or "barbarous."

Fast-forward quite a few centuries to around the 13th century or thereabouts. A new style of architecture came around this time that was characterized by heavy, oppressive arches, dense ornateness, and an overall darkness. People who didn't like this style called it "gothic," using the word as the insult meaning "savage" or "barbarous." However, the name stuck, and after a while it lost its negative connotation and simply became the name of the architectural style: Gothic.

Now, fast-forward a few more centuries to the mid 19th Century. The Romantic movement of literature was in full swing, romanticizing and idealizing various aspects of life and nature and such. From the shadows and crevices of the Romantic period came a darker group of writers whose works were very reminiscent of that dark, foreboding architecture (and they tended to feature such architecture in their settings as well). Based on this feeling, this sub-movement of Romantic literature became known as Gothic, in reference to the architectural style that held similar feelings and atmosphere as the writing style.

Finally, fast-forward to the 20th century, the late 1970's. The Punk movement was in its late stages, and to some, life seemed to have lost its magic, its wonderment, and its...well, life. These people broke away from the Punk movement and grew toward a more introspective, Romantic type of expression. They also had the dark and foreboding atmosphere to them, and they tended to gravitate toward Romantic literature as well - they felt the literature of that period held magic and vibrancy, unlike the cold, materialistic, dying world they knew in their time. Because of their darkness and because they tended to favor the Gothic sub-movement of literature, they soon became known as Gothic themselves, in honor of the literary movement.

So, the word "gothic" has gone from an ancient tribe of conquerors, to an insult meaning "savage," to a type of architecture, to a literary movement, to a modern subculture, each meaning lending influence to the next, but the final meaning coming out considerably different than the first.

Many of today's Goths - those that identify with the Gothic subculture - seem mostly unaware of the roots of their subculture, and the roots of its name. With any movement designed to reflect the inner motivation and being of its members, it's important to dig deeper and learn where the movement came from and why - just as it's important to learn similar things about one's self. Without reflection and understanding, how can we expect to be able to express who we are? All houses need a foundation, and this rambling old Victorian manor is certainly no exception!

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