How do dark academia novels typically portray academic settings?
Dark academia novels often portray academic settings as both alluring and somewhat oppressive. For example, in 'The Secret History', the small, exclusive college campus is a place of intense study and intellectual pursuits, but also a place where secrets fester and hierarchies are rigid. The buildings are old and full of history, which adds to the sense of mystery. In 'If We Were Villains', the drama school is a hothouse of creativity and competition, with the teachers as almost all - powerful figures.
In dark academia novels, academic settings are usually depicted as places with a rich history and a certain elitism. They are filled with old libraries, dusty classrooms, and hallowed halls. The students are often engaged in intense study, but there's also a sense of danger lurking. Take 'Ninth House' for instance. The Yale campus is a place where the occult and academic knowledge intersect. There are secret societies and hidden knowledge that only a few are privy to, and the campus buildings themselves seem to hold many secrets.
