1. 1 Gothic Topic Bethany School English Department

2. 2 ‘Origin of Gothic’ The word Gothic comes from the Goths who were a tribe of barbarians noted for their ferocity. Wikipedia says “Although many of the fighting nomads who followed them were to prove more bloody, the Goths were feared because the captives they took in battle were sacrificed to their god of war – Tyz.” The most famous old Goth was called Alaric. Later on the ancient Goths split into two parts – Visigoths and Ostrogoths which simply means Western Goths and Eastern Goths.

3. 3 Gothic Script This involves a style of writing. The Gothic alphabet was invented around middle the 4th century AD by Bishop Wulfila (311-383 AD), the religious leader of the Visigoths, to provide his people with a written language and a means of reading his translation of the Bible. There are a variety of different forms of Gothic Script available in Word Documents. For example: Old English Text Franklin Gothic Century Gothic Click on the script above to learn more and to write your own script

4. 4 An Introduction to Gothic Architecture This involves a style of architecture particularly associated with late medieval cathederals and churches. At first the word Gothic was an insult. The style was revived in 18th and 19th centuries and used in all sorts of buildings, largely for churches and university buildings. Gothic buildings were often dark, cold and forbidding and became associated with famous horror figures.

5. 5 Gothic Architecture. What is it? Click on the Gothic logo and make detailed notes on the information provided. Write your notes using bullet points Present these notes on one side of A4, including pictures to illustrate your points Use your own words. Do NOT copy and paste

6. 6 Poetry Analysis Read the poem that follows. What is effective about it and what is not?

7. 7 Night Ritual Around, all around, the sinister creatures gather. My dread grows as the stroke of death falls against my neck. It mutilates me, and darkly my blood drips to the broken ground. In a frenzy I flail madly while oblivion hovers close. Now alone, my fervent plea falls upon uncaring eyes. This is your love

8. 8 Poetry Now it is your turn. Copy the internet site address below, go on-line and create your own versions of the poem Night Ritual. Then copy and paste them into a word document. Good presentation is important. http://www.deadlounge.com/poetry/created.html

9. 9 What is a Gothic Novel? A good start is to look at two famous gothic writers: Edgar Allen Poe: An American poet and short story writer, very famous for this gothic short stories. He lived until he was 40 and interestingly it was never established what caused his death.

10. 10 H.G. Wells: An English novelist who wrote many different types of novel (probably best known for his science fiction novels) as well as gothic literature. He died when he was 80. Last words on his deathbed were “Go Away, I’m alright”. Now you need to do research on these two authors, Edgar Alan Poe and H.G.Wells. Extension Task: Research Bram Stoker as well

11. 11 What are the conventions of a Gothic novel? Click hereClick here What is the Black Cat by Edgar Alan Poe about? Click hereClick here What is the play of Frankenstein about? Click hereClick here How atmosphere is created. Click hereClick here Let’s read the start of Chapter 5 Click hereClick here

12. 12 Gothic Video What Gothic conventions can you spot in the following video? You need to make a list on paper of the different elements that are used.

13. 13 Now let’s read a bit of Chapter two of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. We will then be comparing the similarities and the differences of the two extracts. Click here

14. 14 Using the extracts we have studied from Dracula and Frankenstein, explain the ways in which Stoker and Shelley incorporate Gothic conventions into their two famous 19 th Century novels. Introduction Gothic conventions in Frankenstein Gothic conventions in Dracula Similarities Differences Conclusion

15. 15 Rules for the Essay Refer to the reader instead of you If referring to something in the story use the writer’s surname. I.e.: Shelley then uses… Do not write “I think…” If you copy from the text you must use quotation marks “…”

16. 16 Good Phrases to Use… Makes it seem time… Gives the impression that… This suggests… This implies… This coveys a sense of… This creates a feeling of… This makes the reader feel… This emphasises…

17. 17 Possible discussion topics: Frankenstein is still relevant today… Genetically modified food? Designer babies? Where will science take us next…

18. 18 Topic Development Ideas in Gothic Folder See PDF files See wealth of material on The Red Room & Tell-..tale Heart etc See hard copies of material in box

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