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What Really is Dark Academia?
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What is Dark Academia?
Dark Academia is a genre of literature that literally revolves around academia or learning. Therefore, you will see that it is mostly set in educational institutions and follow the lives of students.
It revolves around the pursuit of knowledge and classical literature. There is also an obsession with Greek mythology, and the vengeance of the Gods is a common element.
The obsessed artist trope is also a great example under this category (think Black Swan and Whiplash).
However, like the term ‘Dark Academia’ itself suggests, it is dark. And no, I don’t simply mean dark shades of colors and poorly lit (with candles) atmospheric pictures. It means that too — the vibe. But it is dark at a deeper psychological level.
The characters often are corrupt aesthetes whose moral compass isn’t where it should be and is for general society. Often, they are what you would call ‘unhinged’ and morally grey but really bordering on evil. They are often sociopathic or psychopathic but most often narcissistic.
Despite all the moral (or rather, immoral) implications, dark academia makes for an interesting topic to read about or write about. For some people, to even emulate in their lives.
These dark academicians are often concerned with beauty and life and also the question of death. Often followers of Oscar Wilde and the school of aestheticism pursue beauty and seek to beautify often wrong, inhuman acts.
But today, one also needs to acknowledge the issues with it and therefore problematize it too.
This will be a rolling article that I will keep updating over time as I introduce you to more and more works of DA literature over time.
DA refers to Dark Academia
Last updated on: 22 September 2021
Contents
What are the Problems with Dark Academia?
