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;

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.

GothicArchitecture

Chartres Cathedral, Chartres, France

Interior of Chartres Cathedral

Elevation of Chartres Cathedral

Roslin 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.

Poe

Masque of the Red Death

The bubonic plague - The Black DeathBegan in Sicily in 1347Carried on ships from the East

Carriers were rats/fleas!Trading ships carried the plague inland

to ItalyConditions 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 ditchesFleas on Rats

Shroud: (verb) to cover, screen, or hide

tangible: (adjective) something you can physically touch or mentally wrap your mind around

Piquancy: (adjective) spicy, hot, caliente!

Habiliments: (plural noun) clothes

Imperial: (adjective) royal, kingly

Castellated: (verb, past tense) like a castle

Pestilence: (noun) a disease

Propriety: (adjective) having good, proper manners

Buffoon: (noun) usually an ill-educated or stupid person; clown.

Visage: (noun) a face

Reveler: (noun) a party-goer

Profuse: (adjective) having a great

abundance

Ebony: (adjective) synonym for black

Sedated: (verb, past tense) drowsy, very tired

Emanating: (verb) to come out from a source

Sagacious: (adjective) wise

Cessation: (noun) stopping

Pervaded: (verb—past tense) to completely fill

Contagion: (noun) something that spreads rapidly

Color Symbolism in “The Masque

of the Red Death”

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. mirror2.3.4.5.6.7.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

accomplishedSin: PrideNature: 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)

YouthSin: EnvyNature: plants It can also mean: nature,

environment, health, good luck, renewal, youth, vigor, spring, envy, generosity, jealousy, inexperience

What does the color orange represent?

Summer/autumn of life- (beyond his prime but not yet old)

“The harvest or fulfillment of human labor and ambition.” - Kermit Vanderbilt

Sin: Gluttony Nature: energy/ Balance – Sun It can also mean: energy, balance,

warmth, enthusiasm, vibrancy, expansiveness, flamboyance, demands for attention, often worn by the self-sacrificing hero, worn by Buddhist monk

What does the color white represent?

Suggests age White hair Bones Decomposition- approaching death Nature: The Sun It can also mean: reverence, purity,

simplicity, cleanliness, peace, humility, precision, innocence, youth, birth, winter, snow, good, marriage (in Western cultures), cold, death (in Eastern cultures)

What does the color violet represent?

Combination of purple/blue or purple/grey

Shadowy colorRepresents gravity, chastity,

somberness- the dignity of old age

What does the color black represent?

DEATH!!!The west (directional not cultural)Nature: primordial void It can also mean: power,

sophistication, formality, elegance, wealth, mystery, fear, evil, depth, anonymity, unhappiness, style, sadness, remorse, anger, underground, mourning, death

In conclusion…

East Life Beginnings Sunrise

West Death Endings Sunset

Literary Elements Gothic literature: genre

of literature that combines both horror and romance

Unreliable narrator: narrator who may not always know the whole truth or may purposely choose to deceive the reader.

Allusion: a reference to another body of work which acts like a kind of shorthand, bringing additional meaning and emotional impact to a story, like the use of the terms “Achilles’ heel” (Watch for this as we read!)

Allegory …is an extended

metaphor that is carried throughout an story or novel.

It features a set of recognizable symbols whose meanings combine to convey a message. An allegory always operates on two levels of meaning: the literal elements of the plot (the colors of the rooms, for example) and their symbolic counterparts,

which often involve large philosophical concepts (such as life and death).

The underlying meaning has moral, social, religious, or political significance, and characters are often personifications of abstract ideas as charity, greed, or envy.

Quickwrite“Fear of failure must never be a reason not to try something.”

Rich and powerful people often build huge houses. They build high walls around their estates so that they can block out the upsetting parts of life, just like Prince Prospero.

If you were Prince Prospero and could hide from your fears, what would you hide from? Would you hide? Or would you face your fear?