Transcript Gothic Literature

“Gothic”
 Originally referred to architecture
of churches
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Flying buttresses
Pointed arches
Ribbed vaulting
Stained glass windows
 “Gothic” term was given implying that it was crude
and barbaric (Many artists were more fond of the
symmetry and generally geometrically-shaped style)
What is gothic literature?
TALES DEALING WITH HORROR, DESPAIR, THE GROTESQUE
AND OTHER "DARK" SUBJECTS
 Dark settings
 Strong Imagery
 Damsels in distress
 Deep villains
 Dark themes about human nature
 Hidden secrets
Dark Settings
 Mysterious castles
 Mansions
 Remote Areas
 Crumbling ruins
 What kind of weather?
 What time of day?
Dark Themes/Topics
 Murder
 Treachery
 Superstitions or supernatural events
 Curses
 Ancient Prophecies
 Omens, portents, and visions
 Women in Distress
 Corrupt human nature
 Hidden secrets
Characters
 Villains
 Monsters
 Vampires
 Ghosts
 Devils
 Demons
Metonymy of Gloom and
Horror!
 Metonymy is a subtype of a metaphor
 Rain = Sorrow
 For example when watching a movie they typically make funerals
rainy affairs to help transfer the mood.
 Examples in Gothic Literature to create Mystery, Danger, or the
Supernatural:  Choose 3 to write in your notes.
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Howling Wind
Blowing Rain
Doors grating on rusty hinges
Crazed laughter
Clanking chains
Sighs, moans, howls, and eerie sounds
Lights in an abandoned room
TODAY
 Do you see any remnants of Gothic Literature today?
 What is your favorite scary movie? Why?
 Importance of the visual and audio aspects of the movies
to how they feel
 BRAINSTORM: (on the board) What are some gothic
elements in your favorite horror movies or stories?
 How does IMAGERY affect your response?
Examples
 King’s The Shining
 The Messengers clip
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http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi4176478489/
 Tim Burton
 Edward Scissorhands, Corpse Bride, Abraham Lincoln:
Vampire Hunter, The Nightmare Before Christmas,
Beetlejuice
 Sleepy Hollow
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SI1K-_VTFrQ
 “Here With Me” music video – The Killers’
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SxTyvOixJA
 What elements of the examples are “gothic?”
Examples
 Discuss with partner:
 What other modern examples of “Gothic” can you
think of ?
 Music?
 Movies?
 Books/Authors?