GOTHIC LITERATUREAn Introduction to Unit 2:“Tales of the Strange and Mysterious”

Think about it…

Essential Question What are the characteristics of Gothic

literature?

What is Gothic literature? def. literature that relates to an 18th and

19th century style of fiction characterized by Medieval settings Murky atmospheres of gloom and horror Macabre, mysterious, and violent incidents

Gothic Literature---Settings set in Medieval times set in castles or drafty old houses set in monasteries

Setting details secret passages trap doors…entrapment secret rooms dark/hidden staircases ruined sections near caves…claustrophobia…mystery

Mood an atmosphere of mystery and

suspense threatening feeling fear enhanced by the unknown

Motifs ancient prophecies

might be connected with the castle/house obscure, partial, confusing might take the form of some ancient legend

omens, portents, and visions disturbing dream portent ex. a falling statue of the lord of the

manor foreshadowing his death involve superstition

Plot supernatural or otherwise

inexplicable events walking ghosts or giants live inanimate objects

often built around a mystery such as unknown parentage, a disappearance, or some other inexplicable event

violent incidents

Characterization women in distress

lonely subject to cruelty

dramatic emotions highly sentimental narrator characters overcome by anger, outrage, sorrow, surprise, terror

madness emotional speeches paranoia feeling of impending doom

Symbolism, Imagery, Metonymy Metonymy- subset of metaphor…figure of speech…one object /concept

represents another related object or concept Darkness, gloom and horror

howling wind blowing rain doors grating on rusty hinges sighs, moans, howls, eerie sounds approaching footsteps clanking chains lights in abandoned rooms gusts of wind blowing out lights characters trapped in a room doors suddenly slamming shut ruins of buildings baying of distant dogs or wolves thunder or lightning crazed laughter

“Tales of the Strange and Mysterious” “The Landlady” by Roald Dahl “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Alan

Poe

“The Landlady” In this mysterious short story by Roald

Dahl, the protagonist is seventeen-year-old Billy Weaver. In an overnight stay at an eerie bed and breakfast, Billy finds that appearances are not always what they seem. True to the mold of Gothic settings, this short story incorporates an old, mysterious

house. There is also a deranged character.

“The Monkey’s Paw”

In W.W. Jacobs’ “The Monkey’s Paw, Mr. and Mrs. White find out that three wishes are not always a the good fortune that one would expect. They get a gruesome surprise. This selection incorporates Gothic elements of portent and suspense.

“The Tell-Tale Heart”

In classic Poe tradition, this short story chills and thrills the reader. A mad narrator recounts the dastardly deed done to an unsuspecting “old man” with an unsightly physical defect.

Summary/Review What are the characteristics of Gothic

literature? What Gothic elements can you identify

in popular horror films/fiction of the current times?

Writing Exercise: Gothic Literature

Writing TASK: Title: Gothic Literature Writing Activity Subtitle: Writer’s ChoiceUse what you know about Gothic literature to begin writing a short story with aGothic twist. Use one of the following jumpstart ideas or come up with oneof your own. Your goal is to write at least 1 page, but write as much as you can in 10 minutes. Be prepared to share your writing.

1. Use your school, home or neighborhood as a setting.2. Base your short story on an actual dream that you have had.3. Jumpstart line: She seemed terribly nice.4. Jumpstart line: It is impossible to say how first the idea entered my brain, but

once conceived, it haunted me day and night. 5. Jumpstart line: He put a spell on it so that three separate men could each

have three wishes from it.