Let’s Talk About…Dark Romanticism!

Dark Romanticism/Gothic Dark Romanticism's birth was a mid-nineteenth- century reaction to the American Romanticism & Transcendentalism…A STARK CONTRAST! Authors like Poe, Hawthorne and Melville, found base Romantic and Transcendental beliefs far too optimistic and egotistical and reacted by modifying them in their prose and poetry. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein defined European dark romanticism, often referred to as gothic. American dark romanticism was defined by the works of Edgar Allan Poe.

Dark Romantics Characteristics Dark Romantics present individuals as prone to sin and self- destruction, not as inherently possessing divinity and wisdom. Dark Romantics are much less confident about the notion that perfection is an innate quality of mankind, as believed by Transcendentalists. Both groups believe nature is a deeply spiritual force, Dark Romanticism views it in a much more sinister light than does Transcendentalism. Nature is dark, decaying, and mysterious. Works of Dark Romanticism frequently shows individuals failing in their attempts to make changes for the better.

Poe Mini Bio https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=x-387NMCR6w

More About Poe There are over 26 different conspiracy theories about his death, including rabies, alcohol poisoning, diabetes, and carbon monoxide poisoning. Poe hated Boston because of the “literary elite” that lived there. He especially hated Ralph Waldo Emerson and tried to sue a Harvard professor for plagiarism. He gave intentionally boring, never-ending lectures to Boston audiences, and then told them they were too stupid to understand his lectures that purposefully didn’t make sense. Poe married his cousin, Virginia and her tuberculosis that eventually killed her inspired many of his bloodiest works.

Intro to Poe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDLLHTdVSgU The Tell Tale Heart

“The Haunted Palace” The poem was incorporated into “The Fall of the House of Usher” short story as a song written by Roderick Usher, the main character. What is the “haunted palace”?! Consider the references to doors and windows early on in the poem and the features of the house. What brings down the kingdom? What are the “evil things in robes of sorrow” that “assailed the monarch’s high estate”?

Oral Commentary: “The Haunted Palace” Take 10 minutes and outline a 5 minute oral commentary focusing on ideas and techniques. Don’t write it out word for word- focus on crafting your thesis & BTs and move your commentary in the direction you want it to go. Consider author’s purpose, effect on the reader, and theme for BTs. Don’t forget to use poetry language: stanza, speaker, line, etc.

Poe Movie Trailer Project Your group (4-5 people of your choice) will be assigned a Poe short story to turn into a movie trailer. Consider Poe’s big ideas and techniques from your short story and how you can incorporate them into a trailer. YOUR TEXT TYPE IS A MOVIE TRAILER- NOT A RETELLING OF THE STORY. I recommend watching a bunch of movie trailers online to get an idea of what you’re trying to do. Consider: Music Images/scene choices Ways to create tension/suspense How you choose to do this is up to you!

Poe Movie Trailer Project Specifics Due: Next Thursday 9/27 by 8pm for a trailer viewing day in class Friday 9/28. 15 points in culminating + 10 participation You need to publish your trailer on YouTube or have easy access to it for viewing on 9/28. I need you to email me your movie trailer or a link to it on YouTube by 8pm on 9/27 so I can preview it. You must submit one document per group to Turnitin.com that includes the following: A script that is 800-1,000 words A 500 word rationale explaining the choices you are making within your trailer and how they capture Poe’s style Ms. Bacon has a really cool program in the library for writing screenplays. Talk to her about it! You need to match the format for a script/screenplay because your text type is a movie trailer. You have a work period in class tomorrow. Make sure you bring everything you need if you plan to film tomorrow or write your script. Bring your own devices! Computer carts are limited.

Technically no homework tonight, but…. I recommend trying to read your short story for your work period tomorrow. You can also use your time to read tomorrow if you prefer. Come up with a plan for how you will use your work period tomorrow. For Tuesday: You need to print & read “The Minister’s Black Veil” (it is long…don’t save it all for Monday night)