Gothic Literature

1
Gothic Literature
2
Gothic LiteratureElements

• The story is set in bleak or remote places.
• The plot involves macabre or violent incidents.
• Characters are in psychological and/or physical
  torment.
• A supernatural or otherworldly element is often
  present.

3
Edgar Allen Poe

• First writer to define the short story.
• He was drawn to writing about eerie thoughts,
  impulses, and fears, and his tales are full of
  wickedness, anguish, crime, and death.
• Felt the short story style should achieve a
  certain unique or single effect of emotion.
• Every character, incident, and detail should
  contribute to this effect.

4
Edgar Allen PoeFall of the House of Usher

• Do Now Of what does the description of the house
  of Usher make you think?

5
Questions from page 325

• 2a. He is his childhood friend and he is going to
  help him from the effects of his sickness or
  malady.
• 2b. The narrator is powerless to help Usher from
  his descent into madness and his death.
• 2c. A person can become affected by another
  persons psychological problems.

6
Questions from page 325

• 3a. There are words such as excessive antiquity,
  fungi overspread the whole exterior, and fissures
  extending from the roof.
• 3b. The house is vulnerable to collapse as are
  those inside it.

7
Questions from page 325

• 4a. It is dark and has intricate passages there
  are phantasmagoric trophies, and an air of stern,
  deep, and irredeemable gloom.
• 4b. He is pale and unkempt.
• 4c. Like, Usher, the house is in physical decay
  like his mind, the house is gloomy and full of
  sorrow.

8
Questions from page 325

• 5a. It increases the horror of their connection
  and Rodericks inability to save his sister/twin.
  
• 5b. Roderick knows what Madeline is experiencing
  he doesnt rescue her because he knows theyre
  both doomed they are intuitive about each
  others thoughts.