Transcript of Gothic subculture
1. Gothic Subculture 2.
- Generally the modern Gothic subculture is thought to have
started in 1979 with Bauhaus, Bela Lugosis Dead. The song was
originally intended as a spoof of sorts, yet many people
disillusioned with the punk culture of the time took an interest in
it. 3. The Gothic subculture began to grow dramatically in the late
seventies and early eighties when people began to break off from
the current punk scene, following darker bands like Sisters of
Mercy, The Shroud, Rosetta Stone, and London After Midnight. What
drew many people to the Gothic subculture was its ability to find
beauty in darkness and its acceptance of the inevitability of death
and the fragility of life. 4. However as the culture began to see
new generations a division occurred between the old and the new. An
excellent example of this is how the subculture views the artist
Marilyn Manson. Many of the younger generation like him for his
shock value. These Manson fans are often called Spooky Kids by the
older generation of Goths.
5.
- The lyrics are very much representative of the subculture: 6.
White on white translucent black capes back on the rack. 7. Bela
Lugosi's dead. 8. The bats have left the bell tower, the victims
have been bled, red velvet lines the black box. 9. Bela Lugosi's
dead. 10. Undead Undead Undead. 11. The virginal brides file past
his tomb, strewn with time's dead flowers, bereft in deathly bloom,
alone in a darkened room the count. 12. Bela Lugosi's dead. 13.
Undead Undead Undead. 14. Oh Bela, Bela's undead.
15.
- This division is further illustrated by the quote: 16. First
and second generation Goths look suspiciously upon the new
generation, doubting their authenticity and disliking the exposure
they give to a subculture which would prefer to remain underground.
The new generation is not presently well received by their elders,
but time may prove otherwise. It would be difficult to predict what
the future holds for the Gothic movement. After over 20 years, it
continues to change, grow, mutate and adapt, making it one of the
longest surviving youth subcultures in existence. (Porter, Alicia)
17. There are many identifying traits commonly associated with the
Gothic subculture, such as certain books, fashions, and movies.
Each of these are areas in which most Goths share a common
interest, but that does not necessarily mean that all Goths can be
identified by these characteristics. TheGothic BDSM societycarries
with it a broad spectrum of attitudes and characteristics that
people can fall into in various ways.
18.
- A major staple in Goth reading is the works of Edgar Allen Poe,
including The Raven and For Whom the Bell Tolls, particularly
because of the inherent darkness of his psychological horrors.
Other literary interests would be almost anything by Anne Rice,
particularly her vampire series, George Orwells 1984, Dante, and
The Crow comic book series. Many Goths are well versed in classic
literature but literary interests fall within a broad range. Movie
interests also are dark in subject matter and include The Rocky
Horror Picture Show, Bram Stokers Dracula (in written form as
well), and other movie versions of classic literature. 19.
Outsiders tend to identify Goth culture by their fashion. Often
this is a way for Goths to identify each other as well. Most Goths
however, see it as a way to express themselves, their feelings, or
values. One example would be wearing black clothing since one
attribute of the Gothic subculture is finding beauty in darkness.
Another example would be the use of pale skin. Alicia Porter states
that, some Goths want a sort of undead look; or they want to embody
the Victorian aesthetic that says pale skin is a sign of nobility;
or because tanning causes skin cancer. In general, Goths view
paleness as much more aesthetically pleasing than being tan,
whether or not they have a reason why (Porter, Alicia). Other
fashions include dyed hair, corsets for women, fishnet sleeves for
men, black and white makeup, velvet, chokers, and the pentangle
symbol.
20.
- The pentangle symbol has more significance in how the Gothic
subculture is seen by society. Though the pentangle was originally
supposed to be a positive symbol, it has been turned into a
negative one by much of modern society through its association with
the occult. 21. Gothic subculture has been attributed to the occult
and Satanism for several reasons. First, as mentioned in the
previous paragraph, the pentangle is a symbol that has been
embraced by both the occult and the Gothic culture, but for
different reasons. However most of the uninformed public assumes
the two as one in the same and most often assume the occult usage.
In addition, society in general sees the gothic fixation on
darkness and does not take into account the context of this
fixation. In actuality this fixation is an acknowledgement of both
the light and dark aspects of life, the fickle qualities of life,
and the beauty in the other, the often-unacknowledged dark side of
existence. In a survey, one person said, Most people assume that
Goths are deliberately trying to stick out and cause a ruckus. I
think they are just trying to find a place where they fit.
Satanists want to place themselves as higher than anything else.
While that is true of some Goths, that is equally true of any other
group. People place the two together so that they have one focus to
be afraid of, instead of many.