American Gothic Literature English 3 Typical Elements of

Typical Elements of American Gothic Fiction

Typical Elements of American Gothic Literature • 1. Settings most often include large, drafty

Typical Elements of American Gothic Literature • 2. An atmosphere of mystery and suspense

Typical Elements of American Gothic Literature • 3. A ghostly legend, an unexplainable occurrence,

Typical Elements of American Gothic Literature 4. Omens, foreshadowing, and dreams usually play a

Typical Elements of American Gothic Literature 5. Tales include highly charged emotional states like:

Typical Elements of American Gothic Literature 6. Supernatural events: ghosts, doors that open themselves,

Typical Elements of American Gothic Literature 7. Damsels in distress are frequent. Women who

Typical Elements of American Gothic Literature 8. Words designed to evoke images of gloom

Typical Elements of American Gothic Literature 9. Romantic themes often involve the death of

Typical Elements of American Gothic Literature 1. Creepy Setting 2. Mystery and Suspense in

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American Gothic Literature English 3

Typical Elements of American Gothic Fiction

Typical Elements of American Gothic Literature • 1. Settings most often include large, drafty old houses that have "been in the family for years. " Since castles in the American landscape were practically unheard of, early Gothic fiction writers began substituting the family estate for the traditional castle.

Typical Elements of American Gothic Literature • 2. An atmosphere of mystery and suspense that is enhanced by a plot which seeks to discover the secrets lying within the supernaturally charged environment.

Typical Elements of American Gothic Literature • 3. A ghostly legend, an unexplainable occurrence, or a story about a horrible death or murder that took place at the family estate in question.

Typical Elements of American Gothic Literature 4. Omens, foreshadowing, and dreams usually play a large role in the mysterious air that is created within the story.

Typical Elements of American Gothic Literature 5. Tales include highly charged emotional states like: terror, a feeling that one is on the brink of insanity, anger, agitation, an exaggerated feeling of some impending doom, and obsessive love.

Typical Elements of American Gothic Literature 6. Supernatural events: ghosts, doors that open themselves, unexplained sounds, etc.

Typical Elements of American Gothic Literature 7. Damsels in distress are frequent. Women who are frightened and confused, wandering around lost, or dying due to a slow and unexplainable ailment.

Typical Elements of American Gothic Literature 8. Words designed to evoke images of gloom and doom: dark, foreboding, forbidding, ghostly, etc.

Typical Elements of American Gothic Literature 9. Romantic themes often involve the death of a man or woman in the throes of some great passion, the obsessive nature of a man or woman in love, or excessive grief one feels upon the loss of a loved one.

Typical Elements of American Gothic Literature 1. Creepy Setting 2. Mystery and Suspense in a supernatural environment 3. A ghostly legend, an unexplainable occurrence, or death. 4. Omens or Foreshadowing 5. Extreme emotions: anger, love, insanity 6. Supernatural events: ghosts, etc. 7. Damsels in distress 8. Romantic or obsessive love, where one of the lovers dies.