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.