This term paper investigates and explores the Gothic subculture and attempts to bridge the gap between the question of what ideals of beauty and sexual appeal are prevalent in the Gothic scene and how they relate to notions of gender.
This term paper cannot even begin to cover every layer of the Gothic subculture. But it will give an insight into the most visible, as well as a few invisible, features helping to understand the connection between the Gothic idea of sexiness, beauty and the role of gender. Starting with a clear and brief insight into the emerge of the Gothic subculture and with a cohort introduction into the ideology of the Goth, the term paper continues with explaining the importance of fashion within the Goths’ lifestyle and with the essential features of their special to get dressed. The next chapter illustrates the ideas of beauty in regard to being a Goth followed by the exploration how Goths define sexiness and salability in consideration of their dress code and their lifestyle. The term paper finally concludes with the development of gender roles prevalent in the scene.
This year, the year 2014, is the year of the 250th anniversary of (Neo-) Gothic and Horace Walpole's novel The Castle of Otranto, published in 1764, is seen as the first representative of the Gothic romance. Its main innovation was to arouse opposed emotions such as horror and commiseration. This use of a radical contrast is one of the hallmarks of Gothic: light and dark, good and evil, love, sex and death. ‘Gothic’ is to be counted to one of those terms that have to be observed more closely because it contains more than at first sight. Gothic is not just black clothes and a depressive attitude. It rather turns out to be really difficult to encompass because it comprises many different aspects: Gothic stands for architecture, for literature and for the special present subculture: the Goths. This term paper does not approach the architectural or literary aspects of Gothic.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. The Different Layers of the Goth Culture
- 2. The Goth Youth Culture
- 2.1. A Brief Insight into the Emerge of the Goth Subculture and Prevalent Ideologies
- 2.2. Fashion and Lifestyle
- 2.2.1. The Importance of Fashion and the Goth's Ideal of Beauty
- 2.2.2. Sexiness and Salability
- 2.2.3. Gender Roles
- 3. Goth Subculture: Different Layers of Fashion, Beauty, Sexiness and Gender
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This term paper investigates the Gothic subculture, focusing on the ideals of beauty and sexual appeal prevalent within the scene and their relationship to gender. It aims to bridge the gap between the visual aspects of Gothic fashion and the underlying ideologies and lifestyles.
- The emergence and evolution of the Gothic subculture.
- The significance of fashion and its role in defining Gothic identity.
- The ideals of beauty and sexiness within the Gothic subculture.
- The construction and performance of gender within the Gothic community.
- The multifaceted nature of Gothic culture and its complexities.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. The Different Layers of the Goth Culture: This chapter introduces the concept of Gothic culture, acknowledging its multifaceted nature extending beyond a simple aesthetic. It establishes the scope of the paper, focusing on the modern Gothic subculture and its relationship to ideals of beauty, sexiness, and gender, while excluding architectural and literary aspects. The chapter highlights the challenges in defining "authentic" Goth identity and the author's methodology, which involves overcoming media prejudices and utilizing diverse sources, including books, blogs, forums, and personal interviews, to gain a comprehensive understanding of the subculture’s complexities and layered traditions.
2. The Goth Youth Culture: This chapter delves into the origins and ideologies of the Gothic subculture, tracing its emergence in 1980s Britain from the post-punk music scene. It describes the musical characteristics—echoing guitars, slow drums, and melancholic vocals—and the lyrical themes of death, suffering, unfulfilled romance, and the occult, which influenced the subculture's visual aesthetics. The chapter also notes the influence of medieval architecture and the Romantic movement on Gothic style, emphasizing the importance of Gothic literature in shaping the subculture’s philosophical and ideological foundations. This section highlights the diverse sources of inspiration and the evolution of Gothic style from its musical origins to its broader cultural expression.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Gothic subculture, fashion, beauty, sexiness, gender, identity, post-punk music, ideology, lifestyle, media representation, interviews, Gothic literature.
FAQ: A Comprehensive Language Preview of Goth Subculture
What is the main topic of this academic paper?
This term paper investigates the Gothic subculture, focusing on the ideals of beauty and sexual appeal prevalent within the scene and their relationship to gender. It aims to bridge the gap between the visual aspects of Gothic fashion and the underlying ideologies and lifestyles.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The key themes include the emergence and evolution of the Gothic subculture; the significance of fashion and its role in defining Gothic identity; the ideals of beauty and sexiness within the Gothic subculture; the construction and performance of gender within the Gothic community; and the multifaceted nature of Gothic culture and its complexities.
What topics are covered in each chapter?
Chapter 1: The Different Layers of the Goth Culture introduces the concept of Gothic culture, acknowledging its multifaceted nature and establishing the paper's scope, focusing on the modern subculture and its relationship to beauty, sexiness, and gender. It also addresses the challenges in defining "authentic" Goth identity and the author's methodology.
Chapter 2: The Goth Youth Culture delves into the origins and ideologies of the Gothic subculture, tracing its emergence from the post-punk music scene. It describes the musical characteristics and lyrical themes, as well as the influence of medieval architecture and the Romantic movement on Gothic style. It highlights the diverse sources of inspiration and the evolution of Gothic style from its musical origins.
Chapter 3: Goth Subculture: Different Layers of Fashion, Beauty, Sexiness and Gender (implied from the table of contents) likely expands on the themes introduced in the previous chapters, providing a deeper analysis of fashion, beauty ideals, and gender roles within the subculture.
What sources were used for research?
The research utilizes diverse sources to gain a comprehensive understanding of the subculture’s complexities, including books, blogs, forums, and personal interviews. The author aims to overcome media prejudices by employing a multi-faceted approach.
What are the key words associated with this research?
Key words include: Gothic subculture, fashion, beauty, sexiness, gender, identity, post-punk music, ideology, lifestyle, media representation, interviews, Gothic literature.
What is the overall objective of this research?
The objective is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the Gothic subculture, moving beyond surface-level observations of fashion to explore the underlying ideologies, lifestyles, and social dynamics within the community.
What is included in the "Comprehensive Language Preview"?
The preview includes the title, table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and key words.
What aspects of Gothic culture are excluded from this paper?
The paper specifically excludes architectural and literary aspects of Gothic culture, focusing solely on the modern Gothic subculture and its social and aesthetic dimensions.
- Quote paper
- Giuliana Helm (Author), 2014, Sexiness and Gender in Gothic Youth Culture. How do Ideals of Beauty Relate to Gender Roles?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/304100
