19th Century Gothic Literature

Greg Caggiano

7th & 8th ILA

Dark settings: stories usually take place in a large mansion or dreary castle. The places can be haunted, sometimes just a figment of the character’s own imagination

Death: most stories involve the death of a character in the story or prior to when the story takes place. Murders can also be a central theme

Madness: characters are usually unstable, and try to convince you they are not insane

Being buried alive and the fear and paranoia that comes with that thought

Personification: animals are sometimes given human qualities, or have abilities to do things extraordinary, usually to drive the main character insane

Born 1809 in Boston, died 1849 in Baltimore

Credited with inventing the short story, detective story, and science fiction

Lived a tough life which included being abandoned by his father, serving in the military and never fitting in, and the death of his beloved wife

Wrote for newspapers when he left the military and became a famous writer

Wrote 71 poems, 66 short stories, 9 published essays, 2 novels, and 1 play, all in the span of 25 years (from 1824 until his death in 1849)

Poe’s stories were groundbreaking because of their dark and morbid themes

This was a time period without horror movies and graphic novels. Poe’s stories truly scared people and gave them nightmares because the imagination produces scarier images than a movie or picture

Many modern day movies and stories can trace their influence back to Poe’s writings

Poe has always been fascinating because of his dark mind and how he was able to tell such terrifying stories

HOWEVER, he was not “crazy” or “deranged”. He probably suffered from depression due to various life events (and probably drank too much), but by all accounts, he was a very well-liked writer who made a decent amount of money for back then. He did not live in poverty like many writers/artists of the time

It is important to know, though, that he did have a true paranoid fear of being buried alive (as seen in many of his stories)

He died in 1849. Cause of death unknown, but many say it was due to alcoholism and a combination of tuberculosis and cholera

Prior to the Civil War, there was no embalming of dead bodies. Because of this, many had a legitimate fear of being buried alive

People sometimes appeared to be dead and were buried prematurely

Today, we distance ourselves from death

In the 1800’s, our relationship with death was different.

Wakes were held in the person’s house (usually in the parlor)

Post-Mortem Photography: Because photographs were expensive, people had pictures taken of the deceased (usually children) to preserve their memory. Sometimes, the bodies would be placed in lifelike poses.

He touched on themes never before written about. He frightened people with the images he created with his words

People did not talk about death and ghosts, but Poe made them central to his stories

People did not talk about insanity and murders, but Poe made them his main characters

The narrator of this story tells you his "perfect" plan to kill an old man, then takes you through the process of doing it. He might get away with it too except he starts hearing things...

Suavity: polite and agreeable

Derision: to mock or ridicule someone

Dissemble: to give a false or misleading appearance

Supposition: to suppose or assume

Given the title of this story, its already obvious what it's about. It's definitely a scary story. Poe makes you feel like you are there. Read this story carefully because there is also an important lesson to be learned.

Eschew: to avoid something

Sarcophagus: a type of coffin, usually made of stone, or an outer casing for a wooden coffin

Expedient: to get something done quickly

Lethargic: to do something slowly and without effort

Petulantly: rudely

Impunity: freedom from a punishment

Sagacious: intelligent and having good judgment

Intemperance: doing something bad too many times, or lacking moderation

Equivocal: uncertain or undecided

Conflagration: a large disastrous fire

Felicity: happiness

One of the most widely read of Poe's stories. The narrator receives a desperate letter from a "boyhood friend" requesting that he come to see him. The friend, a mister Roderick Usher, lives in a very old mansion out near a swamp. Once inside, the narrator finds more than he expected. A classic story of a creepy guy living in a haunted house.

Sojourn: a temporary stay or journey

Acute: an extra sharp sensitivity to something

Trepidation: nervous or fearful

Fortnight: two weeks

Aghast: to be struck with amazement or horror

The "Red Death" is a plague which has killed off half of the population. Prince Prospero gathers a thousand people from the knights and royalty. They seal themselves off from the rest of the world in an extensive castle, in an attempt to separate themselves from the horrible conditions on the outside. But, can they escape the Red Death?

Mummer: an actor who pretends to be really happy

Bedewed: to be wet or covered by dampness

Revel: wild party or celebration

Tintinnabulation: ringing, sounding, or jingling of bells

Euphony: pleasing or sweet sound

Voluminously: having great volume or bulk

Rapture: being overwhelmed with emotions

Quaint: pleasing to look at, old fashioned

Rapping: tapping, metal on metal

Surcease: to put an end to

Obeisance: a gesture of respect (such as bowing to a king)

Mien: having an expressive attitude or personality

Beguiling: to trick or deceive someone

Decorum: something having good appearance