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Monday, October 15, 2012 Edgar Allan Poe and Gothic Literature. The Gothic Experience. Elements of Gothic Literature. What makes a work Gothic is a combination of at least some of these elements: a castle, ruined or intact, haunted or not;
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Monday, October 15, 2012Edgar Allan Poe and Gothic Literature • The Gothic Experience
Elements of Gothic Literature What makes a work Gothic is a combination of at least some of these elements: • a castle, ruined or intact, haunted or not; • ruined buildings which are sinister or which arouse a pleasing melancholy; • dungeons, underground passages, crypts, and catacombs which, in modern houses, become spooky basements or attics;
Gothic Elements continued: • labyrinths, dark corridors, and winding stairs, • shadows, a beam of moonlight in the blackness, a flickering candle, or the only source of light failing (a candle blown out or an electric failure), • extreme landscapes, like rugged mountains, thick forests, or icy wastes, and extreme weather, • omens and ancestral curses,
…yet more Gothic Elements: • magic, supernatural manifestations, or the suggestion of the supernatural, • a passion-driven, willful villain-hero or villain, • a curious heroine with a tendency to faint and a need to be rescued–frequently, • a hero whose true identity is revealed by the end of the novel, • horrifying (or terrifying) events or the threat of such happenings.
Rosslyn Chapel • Roslin, Midlothian, Scotland • Built in 1456
“For some of us--and I include myself, the prospect of safely experiencing dread or horror is thrilling and enjoyable.” Lilia Melani
"I became insane, with long intervals of horrible sanity." — Edgar Allan Poe 19th Century Genius 1809-1849 Edgar Allan Poe
Parents: • Biological Parents: The Poes • David—drank heavily • Elizabeth—deserted by husband and died at young age • Edgar was left an orphan • Adopted Parents: The Allans • John—became Edgar’s guardian and provided for his education, but never supported his decisions • Francis—adored Edgar, but never legally adopted him • Edgar took Allan as his middle name, wanted to feel like he belonged
Writing Career: • Most known for his Gothic writings • Gothic-a genre of literature that combines elements of both horror and romance. • Nicknamed “The Father of the Detective Story” • Most respected for his career as an essayist and editor of the Southern Literary Messenger
Writing Career: • Most prestigious poem—”The Raven” • Other detective stories • “The Purloined Letter” • “The Fall of the House of Usher” • “The Cask of Amontillado” • “The Tell-Tale Heart”
Personal Life: • Lived with his Aunt, Maria Clemm, during times of financial hardship • Fell in love and married Clemm’s daughter, Virginia, when she was 13 • Virginia was Poe’s cousin
Tragedy: • Many people close to Poe died. • Mrs. Poe-tuberculosis • Mrs. Allan-tuberculosis • Virginia-tuberculosis • Much of his life was lived in poverty. He was never able to provide for his wife.
Death: • Found half-dead in an alley in Baltimore. • Died 4 days later in a hospital. • Cause of death was unknown, but could be attributed to alcoholism, drugs, or other illness.
Just some Facts: • Poe always wore black—reinforcing the Gothic theme. • Always spoke in a whisper or low tones, even in a violent discussion. • Wrote a short story about travelling to the moon.
The bubonic plague - The Black Death • Began in Sicily in 1347 • Carried on ships from the East • Carriers were rats/fleas! • Trading ships carried the plague inland to Italy • Conditions in the cities was perfect for the plague • No regulated garbage collections • Refuse accumulated in piles in the streets • Rushes were used instead of rugs—creating a breeding ground for vermin • No running water—no regular bathing
The bubonic plague - The Black Death • Precautions: • Isolation • “play today for we die tomorrow” • Flee! • Result: • Bodies piled up in the streets and were removed with carts • Mass burials in ditches
tangible: (adjective) something you can physically touch or mentally wrap your mind around
Buffoon: (noun) usually an ill-educated or stupid person; clown.
You just chose your favorite crayon. • Now, think of at least ten nouns that either are the same color or nouns that remind you of your favorite color. Your list will go on the left hand side of the paper, underneath the column labels “Nouns.” Nouns: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
VERBS • Next, you will think of as many verbs as you can. Write your verbs in a column next to your nouns. Try to think of strong verbs that really help paint a picture in a reader’s mind! (Action verbs!) Nouns: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Verbs: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Match them!! • Now, match the nouns and verbs. Which noun fits best with which verb to create the most vivid picture? Nouns: 1. mirror 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.Liquid 8. 9. 10. Verbs: 1. 2.Slipping 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.Reflect 9. 10.
Create! • Now that you’ve matched your nouns and verbs CREATE a paragraph/poem/verse/etc using those words. • Remember: If your color is yellow, do not use the word yellow.
What does the color blue represent? • The east (directional not cultural) • Beginnings • Birth • “unknown”- (Bolt out of the blue.) • Sin: Lust • Nature: water • It can also mean: peace, tranquility, calm, stability, harmony, unity, trust, truth, confidence, order, security, cleanliness, loyalty, cold, technology, depression.
What does the color purple represent? • Combination of blue (birth) and red (life/intensity) • Beginnings of growth • A period of life when something was accomplished • Sin: Pride • Nature: animals • It can also mean: royalty, spirituality, nobility, ceremony, mystery, transformation, wisdom, enlightenment, cruelty, arrogance, mourning.
What does the color green represent? • “spring of life”- (In the prime of his years) • Youth • Sin: Envy • Nature: plants • It can also mean: nature, environment, health, good luck, renewal, youth, vigor, spring, envy, generosity, jealousy, inexperience
