How does an author create suspense?

Down a Dark Hall by Lois Duncan

What’s Your Favorite Scary Movie Think about a scary movie you enjoy… Think about a scary movie you enjoy… What happens—plot? What happens—plot? Where does it take place—the setting? Where does it take place—the setting? Why do people like to be scared? Why do people like to be scared?

Today we are going to begin Down a Dark Hallway. Take a look at the cover of the novel. What do you see? What do you think the novel will be about? What genre do you think it is?

Down a Dark Hall is a gothic novel. The term “gothic novel” comes from the first novel of this sort ever written. Castle of Otranto, by Horace Walpole (1764), was set in a medieval or “gothic” castle complete with dark stairways, underground passages, hidden panels, and doors that closed by themselves. Today, few gothic novels take place in medieval castles. Instead, the term is now used to describe books in which the author creates an atmosphere of brooding horror, mystery and suspense. Knowing this, what will you expect as you read this novel?

Gothic Literature

“Can we speak of ‘ghosts’ without transforming the whole world and ourselves, too, into phantoms?” Jean-Michale Rebaté

The Origins of the term Gothic (“Gothick”) Gothic Originally referred to the northern Gothic tribes that invaded Europe in the 4 th, 5 th, and 6 th centuries Originally referred to the northern Gothic tribes that invaded Europe in the 4 th, 5 th, and 6 th centuries Later applied to Renaissance architecture (critics thought the style originated with the Gothic tribe) Later applied to Renaissance architecture (critics thought the style originated with the Gothic tribe) Was considered ugly, barbaric, archaic Was considered ugly, barbaric, archaic

Gothic Architecture First Gothic Cathedral build in 1144 Gargoyles (originally for religious buildings) Gargoyles (originally for religious buildings) Vaulted ceilings Vaulted ceilings Structural ribbing (skeletal) Structural ribbing (skeletal) Stained glass Stained glass

Elements of Gothic Literature 1. Setting Action takes place in or around an old castle Action takes place in or around an old castle Seems abandoned, or broken down Seems abandoned, or broken down Has secret passages, doors, rooms Has secret passages, doors, rooms Usually very large, but seems claustrophobic Usually very large, but seems claustrophobic

Elements of Gothic Literature 2. An atmosphere of mystery or suspense Feeling of being threatened or fearful Feeling of being threatened or fearful Plot is built around a mystery (such as unknown parentage, a disappearance, or some other inexplicable event) Plot is built around a mystery (such as unknown parentage, a disappearance, or some other inexplicable event) This is achieved by the next three elements… This is achieved by the next three elements…

Elements of Gothic Literature 3. An ancient prophecy Usually connected with the castle or its inhabitants Usually connected with the castle or its inhabitants Obscure, partial, or confusing Obscure, partial, or confusing The characters struggle to understand The characters struggle to understand

Elements of Gothic Literature 4. Omens, visions Character may have a disturbing dream/vision Some phenomenon may be seen as an omen of coming events If the statue of the lord of the manor falls over, it may predict his death

Elements of Gothic Literature 5. Supernatural or otherwise inexplicable events Dramatic or amazing events occur Dramatic or amazing events occur Such as ghosts or giants, or inanimate objects (such as a suit of armor or painting) coming to life Such as ghosts or giants, or inanimate objects (such as a suit of armor or painting) coming to life In some works, the events are ultimately given a natural explanation, while in others the events are truly supernatural In some works, the events are ultimately given a natural explanation, while in others the events are truly supernatural

Elements of Gothic Literature 6. High, overwrought emotion Narration may be highly sentimental Narration may be highly sentimental Characters are often overcome by anger, sorrow, surprise, and especially, terror. Characters are often overcome by anger, sorrow, surprise, and especially, terror. Suffer from raw nerves and a feelings of impending doom Suffer from raw nerves and a feelings of impending doom Crying and emotional speeches are frequent Crying and emotional speeches are frequent Breathlessness and panic are common Breathlessness and panic are common

Elements of Gothic Literature 7. Women in distress Female characters often face events that leave them fainting, terrified, screaming, and/or sobbing Female characters often face events that leave them fainting, terrified, screaming, and/or sobbing Lonely, pensive, and oppressed heroine, often the central figure Lonely, pensive, and oppressed heroine, often the central figure Her sufferings are even more pronounced and the focus of attention than the other characters in the story Her sufferings are even more pronounced and the focus of attention than the other characters in the story

Elements of Gothic Literature Wind, especially howling Wind, especially howling Doors grating on rusty hinges Doors grating on rusty hinges Footsteps approaching Footsteps approaching Gusts of wind blowing out lights Gusts of wind blowing out lights Characters trapped in a room Characters trapped in a room Baying of dogs (or wolves) Baying of dogs (or wolves) Thunder and/or lightning Thunder and/or lightning Rain Sighs, moans, howls Clanking chains Lights in abandoned rooms Doors suddenly slamming shut Crazed laughter Children

Elements of Gothic Literature 10. Unreliable Narrator Character telling the story isn’t trustworthy Character telling the story isn’t trustworthy Villain narrates Villain narrates Narrator is or goes insane as the story goes on Narrator is or goes insane as the story goes on Narrator has limited information Narrator has limited information

Is your movie Gothic?  Setting  Mystery  Ancient prophecy  Omen/Vision  Supernatural  High emotion  Women in distress  Women being threatened by man  Metonymy  Unreliable narrator

Examples The Ring Trailer: gSUw The Ring Trailer: gSUw gSUw gSUw GEICO ad: GEICO ad: dIUP9oc dIUP9oc dIUP9oc dIUP9oc

Works Used Bayer-Berenbaum, Linda. “Elements of a Gothic.” Horror. Ed. Michael Stuprich. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, Bayer-Berenbaum, Linda. “Elements of a Gothic.” Horror. Ed. Michael Stuprich. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, “Door: Metal: Squeaky Metal Restroom Door in Building: Close: Slow Creak.” Sound Ideas “Door: Metal: Squeaky Metal Restroom Door in Building: Close: Slow Creak.” Sound Ideas Unitedstreaming. 17 April The Gothic Imagination. Ruthford: Associated University Press, Ltd., The Gothic Imagination. Ruthford: Associated University Press, Ltd., “Gothic Architecture.” Wikipedia Online March 2005 “Gothic Architecture.” Wikipedia Online March Harris, Robert. “Elements of the Gothic Novel.” VirtualSalt March Harris, Robert. “Elements of the Gothic Novel.” VirtualSalt March Williams, Anne. “The Gothic Novel.” Horror. Ed. Michael Stuprich. San Diego: Williams, Anne. “The Gothic Novel.” Horror. Ed. Michael Stuprich. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, Wolfreys, Julian. Victoria Haunting: Spectrality, Gothic, the Uncanny and Literature. Wolfreys, Julian. Victoria Haunting: Spectrality, Gothic, the Uncanny and Literature. Houndsmills: Palgrave, 2001.