Gothic Parodies Learning Objective To analyse ways in
Gothic Parodies
Learning Objective • To analyse ways in which the conventions of Gothic literature have been parodied. Success Criteria • To revise the conventions of Gothicism. • To respond to a parodic text. • To produce our own imitations of Gothicism.
Austen-tatious Jane Austen What comes to mind when you think of this author? Consider words, times, places and themes Does any of what came to mind fit comfortably with what you know of Gothic literature?
Northanger Abbey Jane Austen’s ‘Northanger Abbey’ (1817) is sometimes seen as part of the Gothic literature canon and sometimes seen as a parody of Gothic. Watch this clip and make a list of Gothic traits present.
Northanger Abbey Plot Synopsis ‘No one who had ever seen Catherine Morland in her infancy, would have supposed her born to be an heroine. ’ The novel’s opening line immediately casts 17 year old Catherine as a plain Jane, living an unremarkable life of modest means. What distinguishes her is a voracious appetite for reading, endowing her with an over-active imagination; she is particularly enthralled by the phantasmagorical Gothic escapades popular at the time. Catherine has a new social world opened up to her when she goes to stay with family friends in fashionable Bath, where she falls for clergyman Henry Tilney, though there are many obstacles to their marriage – so far, so very Austen. Henry’s sister Eleanor invites Catherine to their home – Northanger Abbey – which she imagines to be like the haunted ruins that she’s read about, full of secret passages and intrigue. It’s not, but General Tilney is a foreboding presence who she then wildly suspects of having murdered his wife…!
Northanger Abbey Read the extract from Chapter XXI of ‘Northanger Abbey’ and then answer the following comprehension questions, writing in full sentences and wherever possible using evidence from the text to support your ideas. 1. How does Austen generate a tense atmosphere? 2. How is Catherine shown to be rational and sensible? 3. How, on the other hand, is she shown to be impulsive and superstitious? 4. Why do you think that Austen has placed the sections beginning “She should take her time…” and “never from the first…” in quote marks? 5. What do you think it is that Catherine hopes to find? Extension task: make a note of all the antiquated nineteenth century words and phrases you are unfamiliar with.
Northanger Abbey Parody noun A stylistic imitation of something else but with elements deliberately exaggerated or twisted for comic effect. Synonyms: spoof, satire, lampoon, pastiche Gothic plots were typically resolved with a rational explanation after the heroine, and by extension the reader, had become entangled in shadowy and seemingly supernatural conspiracies. ‘Northanger Abbey’ counts as a parody because Austen makes the reader fully aware of Catherine’s follies, which stem from her choice of reading material. Many critics view this authorial detachment as Austen being supercilious towards the Gothic genre that was massively popular throughout the nineteenth century. Others point out that her sympathetic Austen herself is certainly treatment of heroine displays a fondness for Catherine’s reading tastes. not immune from parody!
Mimicry ‘Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery’ goes a proverb that dates from the early nineteenth century, around the time that ‘Northanger Abbey’ was written. Either Or Write Chapter XXII of ‘Northanger Abbey’, following the Gothic genre conventions that Austen has borrowed. Take a fictional text of your choosing and mutate it into something Gothic. Assessment Criteria • Aim to include at least five features that could be identified as Gothic. • Entertain your reader. Peer Assessment Swap work – highlight the three most obvious Gothic ingredients.
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