This page is a little side project I've been wanting to do for a while now. So here it is. I've created this in hopes of educating the general society on what Goth really is. I started out with a history and an explaination, then moved onto the frequently asked questions I get. Hope you enjoy it.
[History Of Goth] [The New Gothic Movement] [Gothic Literature] [Why do we dress so weird?] [What's the philosophy behind Goth?] [Are you all devil-worshippers?] [What about this Marilyn Manson thing?] [Gothier Than Thou?] ["Goth Talk" on SNL?] [Why label yourself?] [Goth Links] [Related Topic: Vampyres] [Gothic Goodies]
History Of Goth-The term "Goth" originated in the 12-16th centuries after a type of architecture. The picture to the right is a prime example of Gothic architecture. The literal meaning of the word "Goth", at that time, was tasteless and vulgar. If the Gothic architects would have known this, they would have never labelled their archiecture that. Gothdom was more-less "rejuvinated" in the 1970's...a lifestyle that was influenced by that of the 16th century.
The New Gothic Movement-Heir to the gothic tradition, mixed with elements from the psychedelic/flowerchild/rock music sub-culture of the 1960s and 1970s, was the gothic counter-culture movement that appeared in most urban cities of the west during the 1980s. The movement's origins can be traced to late 1970s musical groups in Britain. It certainly had its direct precursors in such bands as Black Sabbath and punk rock bands of the 1970s. The most prominent of gothic bands were: Bauhaus, Fields Of the Nephilim, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Cult, The Cure, Sisters Of Mercy, Christian Death, etc. Gothic music articulated an explicit nonconformist stance vis-a-vis the dominant establishment. It opposed narrow sexual mores and traditional established relgions. Although goth, in itself, has nothing to do with religion. The music celebrates the dark, shadowy side of life and has a distinct fascination with death. With the music came an entire lifestyle including literature, fashion, philosophy, art, and just a general way of being.
Gothic literature-In literature, the term "gothic" refers to a particular form of the popular romantic novel of the 18th century. Gothic novels continued to appear in the 19th century and have reemerged as part of the paper back revolution of the last half of the 20th century. Gothic literature emerged as a form of romanticism but confronted the darker side of the self. Gothic works force the reader to consider all that society considers evil. Gothic novels called into question society's conventional wisdom.
Why do you people dress so weird?-A question I get asked all too often. The Gothic fashion is hardly a necessity in being Goth. In fact, some of the first generation Goths complain that the 2nd and 3rd generations think that dressing in all black, looking as pale and thin as possible and wearing lots of silver is all there is to being Goth. Not so. Although, I will agree there are so many people that think that if they dress Gothic, they are Gothic. Some of the classic Gothic trademarks are tightly laced or buckled corsets, capes, veils, or cloaks - anything lace, velvet, silk or fishnet - spiderweb designs - and preferably with the colours black, purple, maroon, or red. Hair colours include black, purple, red, or white. I personally like the dress, but by no means do you HAVE to dress Goth to be so. There's really not even a doctrine on what Gothic dress is and what isn't. It's what YOU like, that's the whole idea of it all. Really, there's nothing you HAVE to do to be Gothic. That's the beautiful thing about it. Some of the people that are truest to the Gothic sub-culture are the ones you'd never suspect - they could be your supervisor, your co-worker, your classmate...and they may dress perfectly normal. It's a frame of mind that's just become a fashion trend.
So what's the philosophy behind Goth?-There is no doctrine of what is Goth and what isn't. That's the philosophy, plain and simple. You decide what's Gothic for you. Most Goths have the same general interests as their fellow Goths. We like to sit around and talk about what's after death and discuss different religions. There's so much to Goth though. That's why it's a lifestyle and a sub-culture. Basically, if you're educated on the philosophy behind Gothdom, nobody can tell you you're not truly Goth - because you decide what's Goth for you.
You're all devil-worshippers though, right?-Not in the least. Goths come from all different realms of religions. True, some are Satanists, but definitely not all. A lot of Goths are Wiccan, some are Atheists, such as myself, some practice other minority religions and there are even Christian Goths. Now, in my personal opinion (some may disagree, but this is my opinion), you can't be true to Christianity and true to Gothdom at the same time. Christianity has definite laws governing the after-life and what you are to do in this life and much of which, contradicts the foundation of Gothdom. But, like I said, that is just my opinion.
Alright, so what about this Marilyn Manson thing?-By far, probably one of the worst things that could have happened to the Gothic sub-culture...Marilyn Manson. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against the guy - what he does is his business. But his little Mansonite crowd has really set a bad view of Goths. We're not always depressed, we don't go around reciting his lyrics like it's the Bible, and we don't worship him as our God. I can't think of one Gothic friend of mine that even likes Marilyn Manson. Mansonites tend to try to draw attention to themselves, hence, dressing bizaar. Goths are usually people who have been outcasted all of their lives and decided just to make the best of it. Our crowd is rather quiet and reserved, but kinda gossipy among ourselves. We also just tend to ignore the stares and comments about us, rather than feed off them like the mansonites.
Why are you all so "Gothier Than Thou"?-I think another bad thing that the goth sub-culture has been labelled with is that all we do is sit around complaining that other goths aren't "goth enough." This one, I will admit, has been done on our own. I think with any sub-culture, whether it be punk or goth or whatever...it's like you try to pick yourselves apart and sub-divide the already divided categories. That's one reason why I didn't wanna be a part of Goth when I was first introduced to it...cos I figured it was just another excuse for people to judge you - even fellow Goths. I can't speak for everyone, but as for me, the only "goths" I dislike are the Marilyn Manson/Nine Inch Nails worshippers. Goth is simply about being your own self and deciding what fits you...not being told who and what you are by a recording artist.
How do you guys feel about stuff like "Goth Talk" on SNL?-Personally, I love it, I think it's hilarious. And I know most goths have enough sense of humour not to get offended by something that's so obviously done out of pure fun. I've come up with similar skits to stuff like Goth Talk on Saturday Night Live, it's just funny.
Why would you want to label yourself?-Really, I don't consider goth a label. A label is something that constricts you to be one particular thing...goth doesn't change anything you ever were, it merely opens up new things to you and adds to what you already know. It gives you a new perspective on things - but it doesn't constrict you to "oh, I can't do that, that's not Gothly"...as I've said numerous times, you decide what's Gothic for you. I used to be one of those "I'm too complexed to label myself" type people. I wrote a commentary on something I called "selfism" which basically is whatever you want it to be, as long as you're true to yourself. Selfism was something I created as my own little culture. Ironically, about 2 weeks after releasing that commentary, I came across a short explaination of Goth, and it was almost word for word what I had already written in my Selfism commentary. That's when I realized how vast the wonderful world of Goth is. As I said, Goth doesn't change what you already are, it merely opens up more to be discovered.
Goth links
A Net.Gothic E-zine.
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Related Topic: Vampyres
Having trouble finding those groovie, ghouly Gothic goodies? (Now say that 5 times fast) Here are the solutions to your heartbreaking delema...
I think I've said enough now. Hopefully I've cleared up some of the confusion about goth and Manson and all that kinda stuff. Take it easy and may all your dreams be evil ones. :)
