Historically, the term ‘Goths’ was a term used by Germanic people from Western Europe to define themselves. Through this history, there have been many types of Goths. There was the Visigoths who were the first independent barbaric nation in the Roman Empire in the 360’s A.D.. There was also the Ostrogoths who were conquered by the Huns in the 370’s A.D.. By the middle ages, 500-1500 A.D., Gothic architecture is seen as beautiful in cathedrals. The most praised is the stained glass windows, gargoyles, big interiors, large massive columns, and pointed arches. The world of Gothic literature is set in the late 18th century and early 19th century England. Plots deal with topics of middle age period, magic, death, suspense and dark topics. The first gothic literature book is considered to be Castle of Otranto (1764). A famous example of this is Mary Wollstonecraft Shelly’s Frankenstein (1818). There are dozens of categories of the Goth subculture, and therefore to many to list here.
Contemporary Goth Culture
Many people believe that the modern Goth culture movement evolved out of the punk scene dating back to the 1970’s England. Other ideas state that modern gothic culture was around long before the influences of music. Punk is seen as outwardly hostile, while Goth lends to be moody and introverted. 1970’s band The Bauhaus have set the standard for modern contemporary Goths, and are labeled as the ‘Grandfathers of modern Goth’. 1990’s there was an introduction of industrial music (NIN and Rammstein). Late 1990’s to 2000’s. the classifications and divisions in the Goth scene emerge. There are more categories, and therefore, more individuality.
Sometimes, Black Clothes Are Not Enough
The fact that Goth identified people focus on dark parts of their lives and the world, is because they see the beauty in these things. Dark is not seen as evil, but essential to understanding what a full life entails. Goths are mostly pacifists. If anything can be done with no or little confrontation, Goths are happy people.
Fashion, makeup, and hair styles are used for self expression. But there are people who think and feel and live Goth, but they don’t wear the stereotypical clothing of Goth culture. Many Goths dress in styles that are different from mainstream. Dressing Goth is simply imagination, mixed with personal choice. There is no surprise when gender bending is seen by some Goths. Goths might also dress to different decade styles, or variations on mainstream ideas. Makeup is important, but not used by everyone. Both males and females are seen wearing it. The stereotype is pale skin from powder and foundation, dark lipstick from maroon to black, some pluck eyebrows to almost gone, and nail polish in various colors. Jewelry includes lots of silver, sometimes copper. Chains, spikes, and studded accessories are a staple.
Some Misconceptions About Goths
Many outsiders to the Goth culture can only conjure up the stereotypical popular view due to the media. Not all Goths listen to the same music, wear the stereotypical black clothes, look depressed, or have obsessions with vampires. Goths come in all sizes, political thoughts, religions, sexual preferences, and lifestyles. Regretfully, there have been times when outsiders mistake acts of extreme violence and white supremacy as part of the Goth culture. One example of this is the Columbine Killers. These people only wore cloths with Goth appearances for strictly the purpose of the shock factor.
Goths can be introverted, but due to their tolerance, Goths have a wide variety of friends. A Goth person can be any religion. Iconology is a big factor, so whatever symbolism is used in religions that are practiced by Goths, religious imagery, music, artifacts and jewelry are staples. People should realize that some Goths do wear or use religious items superficially.
Goth Philosophy is just as varied as the mini-cultures that comprise the umbrella term of Goth. One general idea is that all emotions, good, bad, or indifferent are all important to experience without suppression. A well rounded Goth person is someone who has no problems voicing opinions or emotions with others in intelligent, thought-provoking ways. With that said, the emotions associated with death are interesting to a Goth person. Death is a part of the life cycle and to appreciate life, one must be fully aware of and embrace death. In no way does that state that Goths are obsessed with death. One unifying idea that can be embraced by all is, all parts of existence, no matter how good or how bad, are vital to experience a full life.
Sources:
- Digitalis, Raven. (2007). Goth Craft: The Magical Side of Dark Culture. Woodbury, Minnesota: Llewellyn Publications.
- Goodlad, Lauren M. (2007). Goth: Undead Subculture. Durhan, North Carolina: Duke University Press
- Kilpatrick, Nancy. (2004). The Goth Bible: A Compendium for the Darkly Inclined. New York, New York: St. Martin’s Griffin.
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