Cover Letter

I intend for this essay to inform people about the subculture of Dark Academia. Pictures of certain “aesthetics” and “outfit inspirations” are very popular in the internet culture, and they show certain attire or accessories that cater to the Dark Academia culture. I wanted to inform the audience, anyone who uses the Internet, of the origins of Dark Academia because it is often overlooked. It is not just a collection of social media posts, but it is a web of relationships and interests. 

Before writing the essay, I thought about what my preconceived notions were about the Dark Academia subculture. This form of introspection helped me identify my biases so I can proceed to research more impartially. I used the City College database, specifically JStor, to find journals on Dark Academia. I also used interviews from prestigious and reputable news channels such as CNN. Not only did I look at the analysis and statements made by the person being interviewed and the author of the article, I looked them up on social media platforms such as Pinterest and Tumblr. They posted about their experiences with the Dark Academia culture. I also used Reddit to look at threads that have to do with Dark Academia. I looked at the type of interactions between the members of the community in order to make conclusions about them. I looked at Instagram and TikTok hashtags to find more posts from members of the Dark Academia community.

While working on this essay, I learned about how my interests align with those that are a part of this community. I love to read and write, and I am majoring in Political Science. I love buildings with history, and I love Renaissance artwork. This research paper made me understand my preconceived notions and biases a bit better. I truly realized how a subculture doesn’t always have to do with one’s ethnicity or nationality. It doesn’t have to be tied to a location. For example, the Dark Academia subculture is more based on interests than location or ancestry. 

I like this assignment because it helped me dig deeper into a subculture that is often misunderstood or seen at face value only. Dark Academia has to do with literature and has a history that we can refer back to as researchers. 

I would like to improve on writing more impartially. When writing about a subculture that exists largely online, it was hard to look at it as a legitimate subculture. It isn’t a traditional subculture, and now I understand that this makes the subculture all the more unique. 

My instructor helped me change my perspective on the subculture because she explained how the subculture has a lot to do with literature and the Renaissance Era. She showed me that although this history is not as old as other subcultures, it is rooted in European history. It is a connection between the past and present. 

One course objective I’ve learned is how to use online databases and library resources. A lot of my information was found on JStor, a reliable online database. I also found this database through the City College library resources. 

Dark Academia: an Illusion or A Step in the Right Direction?

Books like “Bunny” and “Harry Potter” are both central to the subculture of Dark Academia. It is used by many people and changed the world of academia and literature, specifically young adult literature. It started with a book club on Tumblr that discussed gothic novels, and now it has grown to be a very popular online subculture. The research question that has built the foundation for this paper asks what Dark Academia entails and what factors shaped this subculture to be the way it is today. 

Dark Academia is a subculture that is most prevalent on the internet, and it is associated with the culture of higher studies. It is associated with the “old money” aesthetic, as are many other subcultures on the internet. The internet and literature made this luxurious world accessible to many more people. Dark Academia finds its origin in Tumblr around 2015. It consists of “autumnal colors, vintage clothing, the romanticization of liberal arts education, a pursuit of knowledge, and occasionally, a murder mystery” (“Dark Academia’s Roots Lie in the Campus Novel”). Like most other “traditional” subcultures, Dark Academia prioritizes the aesthetic that comes with Ivy League education. 

It is interesting to note that this culture became more popular after schools shut down during the Covid 19 pandemic. The romanticization of education occurred when education was inaccessible to students. It leaves room for more imagination, which leads to the creation of unrealistic standards whether it be beauty standards or academic expectations. Many students apply to universities such as Columbia University or Oxford University with the preconceived notion of academia. They are let down by the rigorous curriculum and biased politics that comes with the image of academia they had in mind (Fleming 2021). For example, it was a trend for Tik Tok users to post about their reputable schools having bathrooms that don’t work or even insects in their food. They described how expectations and reality are completely different. 

Dark Academia revolves around the “campus novel,” a genre of literature that is centered around the students as opposed to the faculty of academic life. Many of these books incorporate murder mysteries because the dark aesthetic sets the tranquil, calm-before-the-storm tone. Since it revolves around generational wealth, the idea of ancient secrets and evil intentions is assumed. 

The subculture is a result of the commercialization of education. Educational institutions promise students, usually young, naive, and vulnerable kids, a good “educational experience.” They advertise material aspects of education to an ideal education, disregarding the essence of what it means to be educated. Extravagant libraries and stuck-up faculty are attributed to the aesthetic of Dark Academia, and institutions feed on this portrayal for profit. 

The attire that is in the Dark Academia subculture is the attire that is associated with the “preppy” aesthetic. The clothing that private schools are required to wear is crucial to the subculture of Dark Academia. This includes pleated skirts, stockings, pants, button up shirts, ties, bows, sweaters, sweater vests, cardigans, etc. It conveys a silent symbol of wealth. The colors associated with Dark Academia are colors like black, white, beige, brown, emerald green, maroon, and navy blue. It reestablishes the subtle aesthetic of Dark Academia, understated but sends the message of power. 

The architecture linked to Dark Academia is unlike the aesthetic of its attire. It is everything but silent. The architecture is inspired by gothic architecture in Europe, specifically Northern and Western Europe. The details are very intricate and depicts the wealth of the students that attend the university. For example, Hogwarts is a notable location for the Dark Academia subculture. The construction of Hogwarts is very mysterious and exudes power. Crucial parts of the buildings are the libraries. For example, libraries with mahogany shelves, Renaissance paintings, leather sofas, and velvet curtains are characteristics of the classic library in the Dark Academia culture. Calligraphy is a feature of dark academia as well. The serpentine, ornate writing form is similar to gothic architecture in that it is not subtle like the attire of the Dark Academia culture. 

Dark Academia is also a seasonal trend on social media platforms such as TikTok. During seasons such as winter and fall, the subculture of Dark Academia becomes popular because the color palette and attire is fitting for the weather. For instance, sweaters are ideal choices of wardrobe for colder weather. Additionally, the mysterious subculture of Dark Academia is perfect for settling into the mood of the season. Famous murder mysteries related to the subculture of Dark Academia also contribute to the trendy aspect of the subculture. 

Another unspoken feature of Dark Academia is its “whiteness.” When one envisions a member of the Dark Academia subculture, one thinks of a white man or woman. Families with generational wealth are typically white families. For example, the Vanderbilts are a family that oozes the Dark Academia aesthetic. The Vanderbilt mansion is gothic and castle-like, key features of Dark Academia. Vanderbilt University has a vast campus and very intricate architecture, similar to the image tied to the Vanderbilts. There is an air of authority that comes with the Vanderbilt name. 

However, the elitist and racist undertones of the subculture of Dark Academia is being eroded by the push for more representation. An example of more representation in the culture of Dark Academia is Ace of Spades by Faridah Abike-Iyimide. It follows the story of “ two students, Devon & Chiamaka, and their struggles against an anonymous bully” (amazon). The author is a Nigerian and British, which explains the incorporation of Nigerian culture and people into the dark academia subculture. Nevertheless, the demographic of Dark Academia is overwhelmingly dominated by the white population. Since it  originated from white culture, it is more difficult to incorporate other cultures, so authors ignore the need for inclusivity. As more people of color attend prestigious universities that achieve the dark academia aesthetic, the reality of the subculture is forced to change. 

Dark academic literature sculpted the subculture that it is today. In addition to Harry Potter, The Picture of Dorian Gray  by Oscar Wilde is a notable work that shaped the subculture of Dark Academia. It is about someone who sells his soul for beauty and youth, which ultimately ends in his ruination. This is ironic because although Dark Academia is centered around higher studies, it is a false priority. It seems to be that the image of dark academia is more important than the actual aspect of pursuing an education. The culture is very gilded, which can be seen through the unrealistic expectations of being a student at an Ivy League school. At its core, Dark Academia is an unhealthy and unattainable lifestyle for most people ( Fleming 2021)

Aside from literature, pop culture is important in the existence of Dark Academia. An example of the subculture of Dark Academia in pop  culture is the recent show Wednesday. It follows a girl named Wednesday Addams, and although it illustrates the weaknesses of this subculture, the show romanticizes the culture. Through the depiction of power dynamics where Wednesday has the upper hand and catchy phrases, the show successfully makes the subculture trendy. 

Stepping into the culture has shown me the strengths of this subculture, as well. Alice Sidgwick, a member of this community, describes the sense of belonging that she received when she joined this subculture. “It’s nice to see people posting things that are celebrating how hard they’re studying, or painting, or writing, and that other people can join in on that. I think that’s a very positive thing to come out of TikTok” (CNN). She explains that the subculture simply places a label on interests and practices that pre-existed social media. Establishing this community can help people that are interested in individualistic hobbies. The beauty of this culture is that it connects people that might be more reserved. 

An opposing culture, light academia, has also emerged in social media. Since dark academia has to do with subjects such as history and literature, the subculture of light academia has to do with subjects such as philosophy and art. Both cultures are Eurocentric and elitist, but these subcultures foil each other because they are dramatically different. Light academia also originated from Tumblr around the 2010s, but it also unites people with similar interests. After analyzing the testimonies of members of both these communities, it is clear that the way one perceives oneself is a focal point of these subcultures. Although these cultures are very similar, it depends on whether a person views themself as moody as opposed to passionate, extroverted as opposed to introverted, bold as opposed to soft. 

I also see that there is a tension between the pleasures of being a part of this culture and being aware of the overcommercialization of this culture. Does this subculture of Dark academia contradict the values of what it means to be educated? As mentioned before, Dark Academia is seen as an aesthetic or a trend. Is it really culture if it is simply a trend? Many members of this subculture are grappling with this question. Education should be focused on the act of gaining knowledge, so being a part of this community may also mean that they are contributing to education becoming a business or aesthetic. It is about who can make this dream or illusion a reality. Young people’s disillusionment with education can be caused by a number of factors, but the commercialization of education can make this epiphany more dramatic. My research has led me to believe that Dark Academia is more of a trend resulting from multiple other subcultures, such as that of Classic Literature readers or Ivy League students. 

Another criticism of the culture of Dark Academia is the lack of insight in the works that the culture romanticizes. Some say that members of the culture make it seem as if certain literary works are black and white, which means they ignore the nuances of the works. Since one tone or aesthetic is idealized, there can be a lack of perspectives when it comes to analyzing these pieces, usually a more pessimistic view of the works. Supporters of the subculture state that it creates a sense of belonging to the outcasts of society, the introverts who are not used to openly socializing. 

The long term effects of being a part of the subculture of Dark academia is still unknown because it emerged recently. This culture can be an opportunity for young people to gather and share their interests in education, or it can lead to kids living in an illusion. However unorthodox this subculture may be, European history is deeply rooted in the inner workings of the Dark Academia subculture. It is a bridge between the past and the present because it is the reflection of mostly European culture off of other different cultures. For example, the novel mentioned previously, The Ace of Spades, was the Dark Academia culture that was incorporated with Nigerian culture. The Dark Academia subculture shows how culture is a web of people and experiences. It is very fluid and is shaped by many different factors.