Gothic Horror A genre mini study

What is Gothic Horror? Terrifying stories with twisted, dark plots, a touch of romance, and occasionally some supernatural action.

The History of Horror Many events in history have influenced Gothic Horror literature and movies. Recognize any of these?

Vlad the Impaler to Dracula the Vampire

Burning at theStake to Bubbling Cauldrons

Historical to Hysterical

Way back in 1764… The first Gothic Horror book was published The Castle of Otranto, by Horace Walpole A story of murder, mutiny, and mlove

Then in 1816… Anyway, they all made Lord Byron, Percy Shelley, his wife, Mary, and Dr. John Polidori were vacationing by the lake. Oh, the life of the literary types. Anyway, they all made bets on who could write the best ghost story. . In the end, Mary Shelley beat out her male counterparts and wrote the scariest story.

That weekend, Science Fiction and the Vampire Story were born. Hers was called The Modern Prometheus. You might know it as Frankenstein. What a babe, huh? That’s Mary Shelley, not Frankenstein. That weekend, Science Fiction and the Vampire Story were born. They’re like twins.

Not long after in the 1830s… Edgar Allan Poe started writing. Heard of his stuff? The Tell Tale Heart? The Raven? Did you know he married his cousin? And she was 13, he was 27? Double gross. The Brothers Grimm thought up some creepy stories. You know, for back in the day, Snow White and Hansel and Gretel were pretty freaky ideas. Witches eating people, tiny small miners, and poisonous apples are pretty freaky today, too. Hans Christian Anderson had some bizarre stuff too. Disney gave The Little Mermaid a happy ending. In the real story the prince marries somebody else, and the Little Mermaid kills herself.

People were intrigued. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Dracula. By the late 1800s… People were intrigued. Robert Louis Stevenson wrote Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and Bram Stoker wrote the scariest vampire story yet, Dracula.

And then the media happened… 1910: First Frankenstein movie 1930s: “First Decade” of monster movies 1938: Invasion From Mars on the radio causes hysteria

The 50’s were thrilling, too. Besides stories of beach parties and girls who surf…

…it was Monster Mania.

And in the 60’s, besides these guys  there were these guys.

There was also this guy…

But by the 70’s we had this:

In the 80’s, horror was “slasher” turned “psycho.”

And in the 90’s, horror marketed itself to teens.

Now here we are in the 21st century, making out with vampires… …and breaking werewolves hearts…

and killing zombies.

But since this is a reading class, let’s talk authors.

Ray Bradbury wrote: The Illustrated Man The Halloween Tree The October Country Something Wicked This Way Comes The Martian Chronicles

Richard Matheson wrote: I am Legend A Stir of Echoes Hell House What Dreams May Come The Incredible Shrinking Man

Frightening Fact: Richard Matheson is considered the grandpappy of modern horror. He was a major influence of Stephen King's work.

Anne Rice Wrote: Interview With a Vampire The Vampire Lestat The Queen of the Damned The Witching Hour Servant of the Bones

Stephen King wrote: The Shining The Stand Pet Cemetary It Cujo

Some Elements of Horror: SUSPENSE Anticipation Uncertainty Dread ENDING Shocking Unexpected PACE and PLOT Quick Twisted Dark

Supernatural or Non-Supernatural BALANCE Realistic and Bizarre Descriptive and Gory CHARACTERS Strong Believable Villian-Driven Supernatural or Non-Supernatural

Stock Characters in Horror Stupid servant Fool, or Jester Ruffians Clergy Setting Innocent maiden Old, foolish woman Hero Tyrant

Setting is really important in Horror. Places Castles/Mansions Churches Cemeteries Abandoned Houses Remote Locations Mood Words Gloomy Decaying Dark Moonlit Sinister

That’s about all, kids. Hope you took notes. We’re having a quiz next.

Get out a sheet of paper. Put your name, date, and class period at the top right corner of the page. Title this: “Horror PP Quiz”

1. What are three elements of. horror an author uses. 2 1. What are three elements of horror an author uses? 2. What are two stock characters in horror? 3. List two "mood" words used in the horror genre.

4. List two settings horror. stories often take place. 5 4. List two settings horror stories often take place. 5. Why do you think mood and setting are so important in horror writing?

Pass your paper to the person behind you Pass your paper to the person behind you. The last person on the row will pass their paper to the first person on the row.

Good job, y’all. Now let’s grade some papers and review some horrifying answers!