Gothic Literature

By: Raymundo Esparza, Christian Gutierrez, Juan Alanes

What is Gothic Literature?• It came from Gothic Architecture during the

Middle Ages. Ex; gargoyles.• It’s a genre of literature that combines

elements of horror and romance (dark romanticism).

American Gothic

• Inability to overcome perversity.• Sucked in by rational.• Fear of the unknown or future.• Existence is horrifying, destruction.• Almost synonymous with dark romanticism.

American Gothic vs Romanticism

Peering into darkness Against Rationalism

Imagination unknown - shadowy

Celebrated beauties of nature

Insane reside Freed imagination

Individual sees potential evil

Individual sees hope

Edgar Allen Poe; His Life• (Jan 19, 1809- Oct 7, 1849) American author

from Boston Massachusetts. Died in Baltimore.

• Lived a tragic and unhappy life.• His mother died.• Married his 18 year old cousin, who died of

tuberculosis after the publication of “The Raven” (Jan 1845).

• Joined the army.• Had no money.

Edgar Allen Poe: Story Characteristics

• Dark medieval castles.• Decaying ancient estates.• Murder• Male; insane. Female; dead or dying.• Physical and mental torture.• Retribution from beyond the grave.• Live burials.• Extreme situations.• Revealed their true nature.

Edgar Allen Poe; His Work

“The Raven”• Published in Jan 1845.• Uses refrain of “nevermore” and “nothing

more” at the end of each paragraph. “The Mask of the Red Dead”• Published in 1842.• An allegory about the inevitability of death.

Flocab #3

• Persevere: to persist in anything undertaken or difficult. (synonym: continue antonym: cease)

• Latent: existing but not yet developed. (synonym: