Analyzing Gothic Literature

Gothic Literary Style

By CELI OLIVETO

Began in England in the 1700s

Architectural Term

​Buildings that were seen as dark and gloomy

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Gothic Literature

Some elements of Gothic Literature

Remote locations

Desolate, gloomy, dark, and spooky locals! ​

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Bleak settings

Multiple Choice

Which of the following location would be best described as Gothic?

Gothic Literature also features...

These tortured characters suffer from both physical and mental afflictions ​

Gothic Literature contains strange or violent plot lines.

There are also very dramatic descriptions found in Gothic literature

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Poll

Based on the description thus far, have you seen any movies, TV shows, or read any books that you think could be described as "Gothic"

• Yes! I really enjoy this genre.

• Yes, I've seen movies and TV shows, but I don't really like it.

• I think I may have, but I'm not sure.

• No, I've never seen a show or read a book that sounds like this.

The mood of a story or a movie is the feeling or atmosphere that the writer/director creates.

A Gothic piece contains a gloomy or spooky mood!

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Mood

Images of death and suffering are often seen in Gothic stories.

Symbolism

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Draw

Draw a symbol that could represent death or sickness below.

Now that you understand Gothic literature, read the following passages and select which element they may relate to.

Multiple Select

During the whole of a dull, dark, and soundless day in the autumn of the year, when the clouds hung oppressively low in the heavens, I had been passing alone, on horseback, through a singularly dreary tract of country

• dramatic description

• gloomy mood

• bleak setting

• symbolism of death

Multiple Select

The impetuous fury of the entering gust nearly lifted us from our feet. It was, indeed, a tempestuous yet sternly beautiful night, and one wildly singular in its terror and its beauty. A whirlwind had apparently collected its force in our vicinity;

• gloomy atmosphere

• strange or violent plot line

• dramatic description

• symbolism of death or illness

Open Ended

Why do you think that section relates to a gloomy mood or a bleak setting?

"During the whole of a dull, dark, and soundless day in the autumn of the year, when the clouds hung oppressively low in the heavens, I had been passing alone, on horseback, through a singularly dreary tract of country"

Multiple Choice

[The Usher's mansion's] principal feature seemed to be that of an excessive antiquity. The discoloration of ages had been great. Minute fungi overspread the whole exterior, hanging in a fine tangled web-work from the eaves.

• symbolism of death

• strange or violent plot

• bleak setting

• tortured character

Open Ended

Why do you think that section relates to a gloomy mood or a bleak setting?

[The Usher's mansion's] principal feature seemed to be that of an excessive antiquity. The discoloration of ages had been great. Minute fungi overspread the whole exterior, hanging in a fine tangled web-work from the eaves.

Multiple Choice

Surely, man had never before so terribly altered, in so brief a period, as had Roderick Usher! It was with difficulty that I could bring myself to admit the identity of the wan being before me with the companion of my early boyhood.

• symbols of death

• dramatic description

• violent plot

• tortured characters