Aim: How does “The Yellow Wallpaper” incorporate Gothic literary elements? Do Now: Would you categorize Gilman’s short story as horror? Could you see someone taking the short story and turning it into a modern-day horror film? How?

Gothic Literature Ghosts, supernatural elements Ruined buildings and structures, dark spaces, crumbling architecture, deterioration and decay Wild landscape, lush forests, overgrown trees, cliffs and bluffs off the shore Use of shadows and darkness, dimmed light sources Passion driven villian-hero Curious heroine Protagonist isolated in some way

To think about… “All living things contain a measure of madness that moves them in strange, sometimes inexplicable ways. This madness can be saving; it is part and parcel of the ability to adapt. Without it, no species would survive.” - Yann Martel, Life of Pi “Lock up your libraries if you like; but there is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of my mind.” - Virginia Woolf, A Room of One’s Own

Madness as Horror What are the elements of madness that put it in the horror category? Why is sexuality depicted in many horror stories? How is sexuality being depicted in Gilman’s story? Is this a horror story for males or females? In other words, who may find it more horrific? If horror is a genre that taps into our collective fears, what fears are being depicted in the story? How does a feminist story become something that can also be categorized as grotesque? What is the statement being made here?

Madness as Arbitrary How would you define madness? What does the fact that if the narrator existed in a different time or place, she probably wouldn’t be considered crazy, indicate about the nature and definition of madness?