This is true of many of the older novels--words were all people had to express themselves; there would be no movie made, etc. What do you think this says about the intended audience?
Yes, the diction was getting me but along with the dictionary (Hey DICTION-ary...I just noticed that!) it is helpful to use contex clues to understand the meaning of the word.
Understanding that books written during the Gothic era were one of the few mediums of communication, I believe that the intended audience became the educated members of society. If books were specific to the upper class, the messages and ideas contained within may not have been universal. Of course, this was entirely up to the author's discretion.
We also have to understand that Ann Radcliffe is considered the "mother of gothic literature." Plus, adding in the time period, it seems more like trying to read a Shakespear play. Admitedly, most of the words I have already seen or know, so I do not have such difficulty.
Even though I don't have this book, I want to comment on what I think of the audience. I think it's really meant for people who like studying literature and the enlgish language. If it's old english it seems like gibberish to people who weren't taught that deeply into language.
@hunniebunn15 I agree. I don't think the author really had the fututre in mind when writing this novel. The way his audience was captivated with literature at the time was the way he wrote. So people were using heavier diction back in the day I guess.
I agree with Matt. I think that the time period has a lot to do with the diction. I don't know the date that The Mysteries of Udlpho was published, but I do know that gothic literature was first introduced in the mid 1700's.
This is true of many of the older novels--words were all people had to express themselves; there would be no movie made, etc. What do you think this says about the intended audience?
ReplyDeleteYes, the diction was getting me but along with the dictionary (Hey DICTION-ary...I just noticed that!) it is helpful to use contex clues to understand the meaning of the word.
ReplyDeleteUnderstanding that books written during the Gothic era were one of the few mediums of communication, I believe that the intended audience became the educated members of society. If books were specific to the upper class, the messages and ideas contained within may not have been universal. Of course, this was entirely up to the author's discretion.
ReplyDeleteWe also have to understand that Ann Radcliffe is considered the "mother of gothic literature." Plus, adding in the time period, it seems more like trying to read a Shakespear play. Admitedly, most of the words I have already seen or know, so I do not have such difficulty.
ReplyDeleteEven though I don't have this book, I want to comment on what I think of the audience. I think it's really meant for people who like studying literature and the enlgish language. If it's old english it seems like gibberish to people who weren't taught that deeply into language.
ReplyDelete@hunniebunn15 I agree. I don't think the author really had the fututre in mind when writing this novel. The way his audience was captivated with literature at the time was the way he wrote. So people were using heavier diction back in the day I guess.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Matt. I think that the time period has a lot to do with the diction. I don't know the date that The Mysteries of Udlpho was published, but I do know that gothic literature was first introduced in the mid 1700's.
ReplyDelete