1. An Introduction to Unit 2: “Tales of the Strange and Mysterious”
Gothic Literature
An Introduction to Unit 2:
“Tales of the Strange and Mysterious”

2. Think about it…
The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science.
Albert Einstein

3. Essential Question
What are the characteristics of Gothic literature?

4. 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

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

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

7. Mood an atmosphere of mystery and suspense threatening feeling
fear enhanced
by the
unknown

8. Motifs ancient prophecies omens, portents, and visions
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

9. 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

10. Characterization women in distress dramatic emotions madness 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

11. 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

12. “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

13. “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.

14. “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.

15. “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.

16. Summary/Review What are the characteristics of Gothic literature?
What Gothic elements can you identify in popular horror films/fiction of the current times?

17. Writing Exercise: Gothic Literature
Writing TASK: Title: Gothic Literature Writing Activity Subtitle: Writer’s Choice
Use what you know about Gothic literature to begin writing a short story with a
Gothic twist. Use one of the following jumpstart ideas or come up with one
of 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.