Symbolism In Where Is Here

Joselyn Lorenzo Miss Barr English June 10, 2024 ‘‘Where is here’’ Gothic Essay Gothic literature is an aesthetic of fear. The elements of Gothic literature are defined by a bleak setting, a Gothic villain, a gloomy mood, and recurring symbolism. A good example of Gothic literature is ‘‘Where is it here’’ by Joyce Carol Oates. This short story is a clear example of gothic literature because of the characterizations it uses. Since ‘‘Where Is Here?’’ uses recurring symbolism, this is proof that it is literature. In the story, this family receives a visit from a stranger who wants to see their house because he used to live there as a child. He explains to the family everything, like how the house was when he used to live there, but then the stranger's presence starts to disturb

For a few quiet minutes? And you could close the door and forget me; you and your family could have your dinner and—” basically begging them to let him stay (Oats para 34). At the moment he's getting kicked out of the house, he begs them to let them just sit on the stairs for a few minutes in the dark. The recurring symbolism continues throughout the story, such as the Gothic Villain. Another Gothic element that is in ‘‘Where is Here’ is the Gothic Villain. While the stranger does nothing in the story against the protagonist, his presence is disturbing the whole family with the weird and negative things he says. One example of something disturbing he says is when he describes how he and his mother would‘‘...we’d plot together...’’making the reader think that maybe his father’s death was not natural (Oats para 16). If a stranger disturbs and bothers someone to the point where they can no longer stand it, that converts them into a gothic villain. The gothic villain of the story wouldn't be possible without the gloomy mood. The last Gothic element that's in ‘‘Where is it?’’ is the gloomy mood. After the stranger enters his childhood house, he begs if he could enter what was his