Representations of Gothic Power in Karl Freund's Mad Love (1935)

In Karl Freund's 1935 film, Mad Love, many themes of Gothicism are addressed, such as the dichotomy of science and supernaturalism, the romance of suffering and the intrigue of insanity. However, one particular theme—power through means of superiority—is addressed in thorough detail. In defining this power, Freund specifically utilizes the motifs of sadism, helplessness, and human destruction. Dr. Gogol embodies these motifs as he attempts to win the love of Yvonne, not through courtship, but rather through the use of his self-assigned superiority. In staying true to the history of Gothic art, Dr. Gogol overestimates his supremacy, and ultimately loses his life as the victim of his own destruction.
Sadism, the most persistent aspect of power in the film, has been a significant feature of Gothic literature and art. As stated by the American critic Mark Edmundson, "you cannot have Gothic without a cruel......

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Title: Representations Of Gothic Power In Karl Freund's Mad Love
Approximate Word Count: 1247
Approximate Pages: 5 (250 words per double-spaced page)

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