We’ve had so many great talks at Romancing the Gothic this year. I’ve learnt a lot from our amazing speakers and, as always, I’ve particularly enjoyed exploring areas outside my own area of expertise: from Persian mythology to Pakistani folklore, from ancient Mesopotamian demons to Gothic ballet. We have it all! You can find a list of previous classes with links to videos here.
I know that not everyone can join us through the year and it’s sometimes a bit daunting to know where to start in our >400 strong list of videos on the YouTube channel. To help, I’ve put together a list of our top ten most watched new talks in 2024. I’ll be counting down from ten. Why not go and check them out… and then let yourself explore. There’s something for everyone on the channel: from folklore to film, from the ancient world to internet lore, from video games to 18th century undertakers!
10) Kaja Franck on ‘Wolves and the EcoGothic’
I always love Kaja’s talk and this talks exploration of the wolf (and werewolf) in Gothic and horror through the lens of the ecoGothic was a thought-provoking and genuinely entertaining!
9) Sam Hirst on ‘Anne Brontë’s Gothic: The Horror of Hope and the Darkness of The Every Day
It’s quite awkward to recommend one of my own videos on these top ten lists (which are based on YouTube views, not on any other metric, so it’s not rigged!). Instead of recommending me, let me recommend Anne’s writing. Her Tenant of Wildfell Hall is a top read, where she does what Charlotte and Emily only let their heroines dream about. Her poetry is often maligned but it has a real pathos and some of her narrative poetry (set in the fictional world of Gondal she created with Emily) is genuinely great story-telling.
8) Rebekah Diane Love on ‘The Inversion of Hope and Sin in A Study in Scarlet
Everyone thinks they remember A Study in Scarlet until they run slap into the Mormon section and remember that they’ve sort of forgotten half the story. This excellent investigation dives into the mormon section, showing how integral a part of the first Sherlock Holmes tale it is and providing fascinating queer readings of the novella in the process!
7) Gina Konstantopoulos on ‘Demons and Exorcism in Ancient Mesopotamia’
I was genuinely delighted when Gina Konstantopoulos agreed to do a talk with us. I’ve read her work eagerly before and this was a fantastic introduction to the demonic in Ancient Mesopotamia. Romancing the Gothic likes to step beyond the bounds of the Gothic both in time and place and this was one of our most popular talks to do so this year.
6) Dr Madeline Potter on ‘Dracula – Origin of a Vampire’
This is the first of two talks by Madeline in the top ten list, both are well worth a listen. This talk on Dracula dives into Madeline’s archival work on Dracula’s origins and inspirations.
5) Sam Hirst on ‘Exploring Gothic Sublimity in Ann Radcliffe’s The Mysteries of Udolpho
I’m not quite sure why this talk grabbed so many people’s fancy as I’m more used to people asking me to stop talking about theo-aesthetics, the sublime, and landscape depiction in 18th century novels! This talk offered a bit of a deep dive in all the meanings hidden in the depiction of landscape, from views on God to views on dinosaurs!
4) Cat Irving on ‘Bite me! Dracula and Medical History’
We had a bit of a Dracula run of talks and book groups early on in the year and they all proved very popular! I always love Cat’s talk. A human remains conservator, she brings a unique perspective and knowledge to discussions of 19th century medicine. This was a really fun talk as well as fascinating.
3) Sarah Michelson on ‘New England Weird: Fiction, Folklore and History’
New England has been a Gothic focus in the American Gothic since Washington Irving started writing about Sleepy Hollow and Rip Van Winkle. This excellent talk explores aspects of the history, folklore and supernatural writing in New England which make it such a rich location for the Gothic, folklore and, of course, horror!
2) Dan Pietersen on ‘We’re Not Supposed to Be Down Here: Haunted Houses at Sea’
The latest instalment of Dan’s exploration of haunted houses…in video games, space, the sea and (spoiler for next year) time. This talk was a really fun exploration of horror at sea with some bonus science for those that way inclined. As always, Dan’s slide game was excellent as you can see below.
1) Madeline Potter on ‘Son of the Fortune-Teller: Heathcliff’s Racialisation in Wuthering Heights‘
As yet another adaptation of Wuthering Heights casts a white lead, this was a timely exploration of the racialisation of the Heathcliff’s character and particularly his Romani heritage. A thought-provoking discussion which picks up on a topic rarely addressed (and very obvious from its absence) in Gothic studies – the depiction of the Roma. A staple feature of the Gothic and horror from the 18th century onwards, both genres lean in to racist caricatures and prejudices about the Roma, something Gothic scholarship is still largely unwilling to address.
We hope you enjoy working your way through this year’s top videos! Do leave a comment telling us your favourite watch this year.
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