by Christopher Scott

Created on: January 30, 2008

Why do we call people who dress dark and gaunt Goths? What do the way these people dress have to do with the Germanic tribes that inhabited East Germany in the third century? The answer has actually little to do with the Goths themselves but everything to do with their architecture.

During the late medieval period, eloping from French architects, cathedrals and churches with extremely sophisticated designs of ridges and pointed arches were erected. In most people these buildings created feelings of darkness yet peace at the same time. The type of dark beauty that the French artists crafted into their structures can be much easier seen then described. Perhaps the art, was a reflection of the Roman Catholic Church at the time. Church officials, Cardinals and clergymen were known to be satirical with the superficial appearance of helping others but having a reputation of looking out to help themselves more often. We see this quite often in the works of Geoffrey Chaucer or widely known as the Father of American Literature.

Now that we know where we get the word "Gothic" from, lets determine if dressing in this likeness is socially acceptable. Constitutionally, people do have the right to dress however they like (as long as it is not creating any indecent exposure ofcourse). But is it healthy? Not just on behalf of those around the individual but to the individual him/herself. Often (and not always) people who go out of their way to make sure people know that they have a dark continence (through the clothes they wear) are constantly reminding themselves of their condition when they look in the mirror. From a psychoanalytical point of view, this is not a good way of solving the emotional hardship they are going through. When a person is going through disparity or depression the best thing to do is to get help. The type of clothing we wear will not heal our inner discordance, in-fact loathing in it, through what we wear, will bring us harm.

This idea however, does not apply to everyone who wears dark clothes and eyeliner. Sometimes people are just trying to be trendy, and fashionable. Many times though, what we feel on the inside is reflected on what we let others see of ourselves on the outside. So with that in-mind, lookout for people who let themselves seem troubled on the exterior. A word of encouragment or helping hand can go a long way for someone who is going through a difficult time in life.

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