Gothic Literature The Characteristics of Gothic Literature What

Gothic Literature

The Characteristics of Gothic Literature

What makes a piece of literature Gothic is a combination of any of these elements: ►A castle, ruined or intact, haunted or not ► Ruined buildings ► Dungeons, underground passages, crypts, spooky basements, or attics ► Labyrinths, dark corridors, and winding stairs

Elements of Gothic Literature cont’d ► Shadows, a beam of moonlight in the blackness, a flickering candle ► Extreme landscapes: rugged mountains, thick forests, icy wastes. ► Extreme weather

Elements of Gothic Literature cont’d ► Omens and ancestral curses ► Magic, supernatural suggestions ► Horrifying or terrifying events or the threat of them happening

Elements of Gothic Literature cont’d ►A passion-driven villain ► A heroine with a tendency to faint or need to be rescued frequently ► A hero whose true identity might not be revealed until the end of the novel

Gothic Literature Mood & Tone ► Moods: § gloomy § Mysterious § Suspenseful ► Tones: § tends to be dramatic and sensational

Gothic Literature Themes ► dark side of human nature ► search for identity ► desire vs. duty ► social alienation ► search for truth

You try… You will create your own Gothic tale. You must include at least four characteristics of Gothic literature in your story. Consider the following as you begin drafting characters, setting, plot, dialogue, etc. The class will vote anonymously on the best tale. Winners will receive a prize!