The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
(c)1998-2002; (c)2002 by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Gale and Design and Thomson Learning are trademarks used herein under license.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
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Vaulting refers to the space created by an arched ceiling. Just as a horse vaults across a barricade, arched roofs literally vault across enclosed spaces and were devised to span far more area than could a simple column and lintel structure. While a vaulted roof can be a dome, domes comprise a class of their own, so a vaulted ceiling usually refers to all other arched ceilings.
Vaults are three-dimensional arched structures and fall into several categories. The simplest is the barrel vault, a continuous arch. The groined vault consists of two or more barrel vaults joined at right angles, and the ribbed or Gothic vault features pointed arches and decorative ribs.
While vaulting was used in ancient Egypt and the Middle East, it came into wide usage with the Romans, who used the simpler barrel vault in drainage systems and developed the groin vault for use in buildings. Romanesque columns and ceilings were massive in scale and the space between them small.
The Gothic style that began in the 1100s and continued through the 1500s took vaulting to its peak. The Gothic pointed arch made it possible to take walls and roof to airy heights. Towering Gothic arches were vaulted to create a powerfully spiritual atmosphere in medieval churches.
Vaulting prevailed well into the twentieth century with the construction of churches, courthouses, and monuments. During a Gothic revival between 1870 and 1910, arches and vaults also found their way into residential architecture. American Gothic, with its high roofs and detailed appointments, became a symbol of westward expansion in the United States, but the architecture of the later twentieth century reverted to function and practicality. The Industrial Revolution, two world wars, and an economic depression meant there was little time or money for frills, and the vaulted ceiling and its kindred features have been put aside until the next revival.