“We Are for the Dark”: The History and Evolution of Dark Academia

Abstract

This project is an introduction to and analysis of “dark academia” (otherwise known as the “campus novel,” academic novel,” campus fiction,” “academic fiction,” etc.), with a concentration on its history and recent developments in the U.S. and England during the twentieth- and twenty-first centuries. The primary sources I have chosen to work with have been selected from a widening pool of similar content. Most are already distinguished works with loyal fans and some degree of cultural status. Some have been adapted into films with cult followings, with a few even edging their way into middle/high school curricula. All have been said to leave a lasting impression on their readers/viewers. For readers who might be newer to dark academia, I have chosen texts they might be familiar with, or have heard of, while presenting some of what many (including myself) believe to be principle to the genre. The dark academia genre has arrived at a fascinating point in its history. It has created a niche for itself in literature, art, film and popular culture, in both fictional and nonfictional capacities, and has lent itself an elasticity to draw in generations of readers and viewers. Audiences can easily recognize its aesthetic traits and signature style, but the genre’s obscurity remains one of its primary characteristics. I want to explore why dark academia has consistently appealed to and captivated its audiences while asserting itself as a secondary or sub-genre, at best. I will delve into the roots of the genre by drawing connections to longstanding features of academic institutions, and from there I will define what these “dark” elements are, where they stem from, and how far they extend. I will also trace the remarkable evolution of dark academic narratives – once usually a single voice with a common story, now becoming increasingly diverse in character, plot, and subject matter – and explain how these changes expand beyond individual works and permeate the entire genre itself.