Gothic Novels Teaching Frankenstein Mrs. Lindell

Gothic Elements Setting in/near a castle Setting in/near a castle Atmosphere of mystery/suspense Atmosphere of mystery/suspense Ancient Prophecy with castle or inhabitants Ancient Prophecy with castle or inhabitants Omens, Portents, visions Omens, Portents, visions Supernatural Supernatural High, even overwrought emotion High, even overwrought emotion Women in distress Women in distress Women threatened by a powerful, impulsive, tyrannical male Women threatened by a powerful, impulsive, tyrannical male Metonymy of gloom and horror Metonymy of gloom and horror Vocabulary of the gothic Vocabulary of the gothic

Gothic Novel Invented almost single-handedly by Horace Walpole, whose The Castle of Otranto (1764) contains essentially all the elements that constitute the genre. Walpole's novel was imitated not only in the 18 th century and not only in the novel form, but it has also influenced writing, poetry, and even film making up to the present day. Invented almost single-handedly by Horace Walpole, whose The Castle of Otranto (1764) contains essentially all the elements that constitute the genre. Walpole's novel was imitated not only in the 18 th century and not only in the novel form, but it has also influenced writing, poetry, and even film making up to the present day.

Creating a mood through vocab Mood Created Words Used Mystery Diabolical, enchantment, ghost, haunted, preternatural, prophecy, spirits, talisman Fear, Terror, Sorrow Afflicted, apprehension, dismay, horrid, lamentable, melancholy, mournful Surprise Alarm, amazement, astonished, astonishment, shocking, thunderstruck, staring Haste Frantic, hastened, precipitously, suddenly, frantic, anxious, impetuous Anger Choler, enraged, furious, incensed, provoked, rage, resentment, wrathful Largeness Enormous, gigantic, giant, large, vast, tremendous

Elements of romance Powerful love Powerful love Uncertainty of reciprocation Uncertainty of reciprocation Unreturned love Unreturned love Tension between true love and father’s control Tension between true love and father’s control Lovers parted Lovers parted Illicit love or lust threatens the virtuous one Illicit love or lust threatens the virtuous one Rival lovers or multiple suitors Rival lovers or multiple suitors

As J. A. Cuddon suggests, the conventions of gothic literature include: As J. A. Cuddon suggests, the conventions of gothic literature include: wild and desolate landscapes, wild and desolate landscapes, ancient buildings such as ruined monasteries; cathedrals; castles with dungeons, torture chambers, ancient buildings such as ruined monasteries; cathedrals; castles with dungeons, torture chambers, secret doors, and winding stairways; secret doors, and winding stairways; apparitions, phantoms, demons, and necromancers; apparitions, phantoms, demons, and necromancers; an atmosphere of brooding gloom; an atmosphere of brooding gloom; and youthful, handsome heroes and fainting (or screaming!) heroines who face off against corrupt aristocrats, and youthful, handsome heroes and fainting (or screaming!) heroines who face off against corrupt aristocrats, wicked witches, wicked witches, and hideous monsters. and hideous monsters. Conventionally, female characters are threatened by powerful or impetuous male figures, … presenting details designed to evoke horror, disgust, or terror Conventionally, female characters are threatened by powerful or impetuous male figures, … presenting details designed to evoke horror, disgust, or terror

The words Goth and Gothic also described the Germanic tribes which sacked Rome and also ravaged the rest of Europe in the third, fourth, and fifth centuries. From this source, the words came also to mean barbarian, barbarous, and barbaric. By the eighteenth century in England, Gothic had become synonymous with the Middle Ages, a period which was in disfavor because it was perceived as chaotic, unenlightened, and superstitious.

Mary Shelley Born in 1797 Born in 1797 Listened to “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” when she was nine. Listened to “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” when she was nine. Lord Byron purposed a competition for write a ghost story Lord Byron purposed a competition for write a ghost story The term galvanism sparked an idea (no pun intended) The term galvanism sparked an idea (no pun intended) Frankenstein published 1818 Frankenstein published 1818

Metonymy A figure of speech in which one word or phrase is substituted for another with which it is closely associated (such as "crown" for "royalty"). Metonymy is also the rhetorical strategy of describing something indirectly by referring to things around it, such as describing someone's clothing to characterize the individual. A figure of speech in which one word or phrase is substituted for another with which it is closely associated (such as "crown" for "royalty"). Metonymy is also the rhetorical strategy of describing something indirectly by referring to things around it, such as describing someone's clothing to characterize the individual.figure of speechfigure of speech

metonymy - me-ton'-y-my from meta, "change" and onoma, "name" metonymy - me-ton'-y-my from meta, "change" and onoma, "name" Reference to something or someone by naming one of its attributes. Reference to something or someone by naming one of its attributes. Examples The pen is mightier than the sword The pen is an attribute of thoughts that are written with a pen; the sword is an attribute of military action Examples The pen is mightier than the sword The pen is an attribute of thoughts that are written with a pen; the sword is an attribute of military action We await word from the crown. We await word from the crown. I'm told he's gone so far as to giver her a diamond ring I'm told he's gone so far as to giver her a diamond ring The IRS is auditing me? Great. All I need is a couple of suits arriving at my door. The IRS is auditing me? Great. All I need is a couple of suits arriving at my door.