Gothic Horror Conventions

The usual characteristics of a genre are called...

Supernatural elements are a convention of Gothic horror.

• True

• False

A Gothic story might be set in a haunted forest.

• True

• False

A Gothic story will never include romance.

• True

• False

Closely inspect this image. Which element(s) conform to the Gothic horror genre? (Tick all that apply.)

• Characters

• Setting

• Atmosphere

• Language

Which types of weather might conform with Gothic horror? (Tick all that apply.)

• Fog

• Steady rain

• Afternoon sun

• Evening storms

"It was already one in the morning; the rain pattered dismally against the panes, and my candle was nearly burnt out, when, by the glimmer of the half-extinguished light, I saw the dull yellow eye of the creature open."

Read the passage and identify which conventions of Gothic horror are present. (Tick all that apply.)

• A damsel in distress

• A haunted setting

• Gloomy weather

• Darkness

• A monster

"For a moment I was as near to weeping tears of despair and fear, frustration and tension, as I had ever been since my childhood. But instead of crying I drummed my fists upon the floorboards, in a burst of violent rage, until they throbbed."

Read the passage and identify which conventions of Gothic horror are present. (Tick all that apply.)

• Gloomy weather

• Supernatural forces

• Extreme emotion

• A mysterious setting

• Suspense

The stairs creaked beneath the threadbare stair-carpet.

“Click-clacks,” said the boy, “are the best monsters ever.”

“Are they from television?”

“I don’t think so. I don’t think any people know where they come from. Mostly they come from the dark.”

“Good place for a monster to come.”

“Yes.”

We walked along the upper corridor in the shadows, walking from patch of moonlight to patch of moonlight. It really was a big house. I wished I had a flashlight.

This is an example of Gothic horror. Explain why.