1. Gothic Undercurrents in American Literature
Woodland High School

2. Definition of Gothic
A work that contains supernatural horrors and an atmosphere of unknown terror.
The setting is often a dark, mysterious castle, usually haunted in some way.

3. Elements of a Gothic Work
Ancient prophecy, especially mysterious, obscure, or hard to understand.
Mystery and suspense
High emotion, anger, surprise, and terror
Supernatural events

4. Elements of a Gothic Work (ctd)
Fainting, frightened, screaming women
Women threatened by powerful male
Setting in a castle, especially with secret passages
Gloom and horror

5. What is Gothic Literature?
Gothic literature is a literature of nightmare.
It is focused on ruin, decay, death, terror, and chaos.
It features passion over reason.
It explores the dark side of human nature.

6. Gothic Themes Terror and Horror Appearance and Reality Confinement
Justice and Injustice

7. Terror and Horror Suspense Terror Horror Suspense produces terror
Terror produces horror
A suspenseful situation causes a character to experience terror.
The character experiences horror when the event really happens
Suspense
Terror
Horror

8. Appearance and Reality
What appears real to a character in a gothic story often isn’t.
The reverse is also true.
This is why gothic literature often has a dreamlike/nightmare structure.

9. Confinement Confinement usually means being kept in a room or castle.
It can also mean being a prisoner in one’s own mind.

10. Justice and Injustice
This theme usually involves guilt, sin, and divine punishment. Forgiveness is possible, and usually the punishment becomes less severe.
The sins of the father are visited on the children.

11. Assignment
Use your notes and explain how one aspect (theme, characteristic) of the gothic fits “Cask” or “Tell-Tale Heart”.