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

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

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 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

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 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

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 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.