Science and Destabilization in the Modern American Gothic

Book excerpt: The writers of Gothic literature reflect in their works the concerns and fears of the times in which they were created, not only making these tales cultural artifacts of a previous time, but also showing how some sources of dread remain constant over the passage of centuries. This book examines how H.P. Lovecraft, Richard Matheson, and Stephen King have used science and technology in their modern Gothic works to destabilize the reader; that is, to create the sense of fear and dread at the heart of the Gothic genre. In doing so, these works force readers to ask disturbing questions about the society around them and to challenge long-accepted notions and belief systems.