The Dark Romantics Gothic Literature …and beyond

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

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

Art Influences “The Nightmare” Johann Heinrick Fuseli

What is Gothic Literature?

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

Elements of Gothic Literature 2. An atmosphere of mystery or suspense Feeling of being threatened or fearful 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…

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

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

Elements of Gothic Literature 8. Women threatened by a powerful, tyrannical male A male character (king, lord of the manor, father) has the power to demand the female character/s do something intolerable May be commanded to marry someone she does not love, or commit a crime, keeps her locked away

Elements of Gothic Literature 9. The metonymy of gloom and horror Metonymy is a subtype of metaphor, in which something (like rain) is used to stand for something else (like sorrow). Metaphors use words. Metonymy uses images and sound

Elements of Gothic Literature Wind, especially howling Doors grating on rusty hinges Footsteps approaching Gusts of wind blowing out lights Characters trapped in a room Baying of dogs (or wolves) 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 Villain narrates Narrator is or goes insane as the story goes on 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

Funny Gothic Clue Young Frankenstein =47&list=PLcgXibKlKb-gUyFvyQT2qQ-qeLuaXFbsV