Gothic fragment

The Gothic fragment is a type of short Gothic fiction popular in the late 18th century, perhaps approaching the popularity of the Gothic novels of the time.^[1] Unlike the Gothic tale, fragments focus mostly on atmosphere instead of plot,^[2] and they are written mostly to astonish the reader rather than provide a moral conclusion.^[3] While some fragments attempt to explain supernatural elements of their stories, most do not, and fragments typically start abruptly and end without resolution.^[4] In this way, Gothic fragments are largely dissimilar from Gothic novels.^[5] Although their beginnings and endings are abrupt, they are not incomplete narratives.^[6]

Many fragments were published in literary magazines like the Lady's Magazine and the Lady's Monthly Museum.^[5] Several are inspired by "Sir Bertrand: A Fragment" (in Miscellaneous Pieces in Prose, 1773) and "Montmorenci, a Fragment" (by Nathan Drake, 1790).^[5] While distinctions between Gothic tales and fragments are not entirely well-defined – some stories, like "Fitzalan" (1797), tend to belong in both categories – most fragments are distinctively fragmentary.^[7]

• "Sir Bertrand: A Fragment" – the first Gothic fragment, written by Anna and/or John Aikin (1773)^[A][8]
• "A Fragment. In the Manner of the Old Romances" – story inspired by "Sir Bertrand: A Fragment" by Mary Hays (1789)^[9]
• "Story of Sir Gawen" – story by Nathan Drake (1790)^[B][10]
• "The Two Knights. A Fragment" – story inspired by "Sir Bertrand: A Fragment" by W. G. (1795)^[11]
• "Lothaire: A Legend" – story by Harriet Lee^[12]
• "Sir Edmund, a Gothic Fragment" – story by "Fredericsberg Germanicus" (1796)^[13]
• "Montmorenci, a Fragment" – story by Nathan Drake (1798)^[C][14]
• "Raymond; a Fragment" – story inspired by "Sir Edmund, a Gothic Fragment" by the pseudonymous "Juvenis" (1799)^[D][15]