Gothic Undercurrents in American Literature Woodland High School

Definition of Gothic A work that contains supernatural horrors and an atmosphere of unknown terror. The setting is often a dark, mysterious castle, usually haunted in some way.

Elements of a Gothic Work Ancient prophecy, especially mysterious, obscure, or hard to understand. Mystery and suspense High emotion, anger, surprise, and terror Supernatural events

Elements of a Gothic Work (ctd) Fainting, frightened, screaming women Women threatened by powerful male Setting in a castle, especially with secret passages Gloom and horror

What is Gothic Literature? Gothic literature is a literature of nightmare. It is focused on ruin, decay, death, terror, and chaos. It features passion over reason. It explores the dark side of human nature.

Gothic Themes Terror and Horror Appearance and Reality Confinement Justice and Injustice

Terror and Horror Suspense Terror Horror Suspense produces terror Terror produces horror A suspenseful situation causes a character to experience terror. The character experiences horror when the event really happens Suspense Terror Horror

Appearance and Reality What appears real to a character in a gothic story often isn’t. The reverse is also true. This is why gothic literature often has a dreamlike/nightmare structure.

Confinement Confinement usually means being kept in a room or castle. It can also mean being a prisoner in one’s own mind.

Justice and Injustice This theme usually involves guilt, sin, and divine punishment. Forgiveness is possible, and usually the punishment becomes less severe. The sins of the father are visited on the children.

Assignment Use your notes and explain how one aspect (theme, characteristic) of the gothic fits “Cask” or “Tell-Tale Heart”.