The Power of DarknessThe Power of Darkness

(Gothic View)(Gothic View)

Imagination is the key to Romanticism Imagination is the key to Romanticism (author’s personality)(author’s personality)

HorrorHorror Terror of the SoulTerror of the Soul (loss, sorrow, ruin, revenge, disease, death, (loss, sorrow, ruin, revenge, disease, death,

troubles, fears, dark impulses of human nature)troubles, fears, dark impulses of human nature)

Washington IrvingWashington Irving 1783-18591783-1859 First American short story writer to gain international First American short story writer to gain international

recognitionrecognition His fiancée, Matilda Hoffman, died suddenly of tuberculosisHis fiancée, Matilda Hoffman, died suddenly of tuberculosis Stopped writing for awhileStopped writing for awhile Never marriedNever married Family business went bankrupt-began writing againFamily business went bankrupt-began writing again Wrote: Wrote: The Sketch BookThe Sketch Book ““Legend of Sleepy Hollow”Legend of Sleepy Hollow” ““Rip Van Winkle”Rip Van Winkle” ““The Devil and Tom Walker”The Devil and Tom Walker”

Literary ElementsLiterary Elements

Short storyShort story A brief fictional narrative that generally A brief fictional narrative that generally

includes the following major elements: setting, includes the following major elements: setting, characters, plot, point of view, and theme.characters, plot, point of view, and theme.

CharacterizationCharacterization The methods a writer uses to reveal the The methods a writer uses to reveal the

personality of a character. In personality of a character. In direct direct characterizationcharacterization, the writer makes explicit , the writer makes explicit statements about a character. In statements about a character. In indirect indirect characterizationcharacterization, the writer reveals a character , the writer reveals a character through his or her words, thoughts, and actions through his or her words, thoughts, and actions and through what other characters think and and through what other characters think and say about that character.say about that character.

Edgar Allan PoeEdgar Allan Poe

1809-18491809-1849 Parents were actorsParents were actors Father abandoned familyFather abandoned family Mother died when he was 2 years oldMother died when he was 2 years old John John AllanAllan family took him in where he got family took him in where he got

his namehis name Attended University of Virginia & West PointAttended University of Virginia & West Point Problems with gambling debtProblems with gambling debt

At age 26 he married his 13 year old cousin-Virginia At age 26 he married his 13 year old cousin-Virginia ClemmClemm

Mysterious death after he was found delirious on Mysterious death after he was found delirious on streets of Baltimorestreets of Baltimore

Father of the detective storyFather of the detective story Pioneer of science fictionPioneer of science fiction Wrote: “Fall of the House of Usher”Wrote: “Fall of the House of Usher” ““The Pit and the Pendulum”The Pit and the Pendulum” ““The Raven”The Raven” “ “The Bells”The Bells”

Literary ElementsLiterary Elements

SuspenseSuspense A feeling of curiosity, uncertainty, or even A feeling of curiosity, uncertainty, or even

dread about what is going to happen next in a dread about what is going to happen next in a story. Writers increase the level of suspense story. Writers increase the level of suspense by creating a threat to the central character and by creating a threat to the central character and raising questions in a reader’s mind about the raising questions in a reader’s mind about the outcome of a conflict. Suspense is especially outcome of a conflict. Suspense is especially important in the plot of an adventure or important in the plot of an adventure or mystery story.mystery story.

OnomatopoeiaOnomatopoeia The use of a word or phrase that imitates or The use of a word or phrase that imitates or

suggests the sound of what it describes. The suggests the sound of what it describes. The words words mewmew,, hiss hiss,, caw caw, and , and buzzbuzz are are onomatopoetic words.onomatopoetic words.

Nathaniel Hawthorne Nathaniel Hawthorne

1804-18641804-1864 Descendant of a judge at the Salem Witch TrialsDescendant of a judge at the Salem Witch Trials Ashamed of family history-changed spelling of name Ashamed of family history-changed spelling of name

by adding the Wby adding the W Lived in seclusionLived in seclusion Burned most of his early workBurned most of his early work Knew-Emerson, ThoreauKnew-Emerson, Thoreau But was not an optimistBut was not an optimist

Neighbor to MelvilleNeighbor to Melville Shared a darker view of human natureShared a darker view of human nature Worked in Boston & Salem Customs housesWorked in Boston & Salem Customs houses Lost jobLost job Wrote:Wrote: The Scarlet LetterThe Scarlet Letter ““The Minister’s Black Veil”The Minister’s Black Veil” Writing expresses-guilt & secret sinWriting expresses-guilt & secret sin

Literary ElementLiterary Element

SymbolSymbol Any object, person, place, or experience that Any object, person, place, or experience that

exists on a literal level but also represents, or exists on a literal level but also represents, or stands for, something else, usually something stands for, something else, usually something abstract.abstract.

Herman MelvilleHerman Melville

1819-18911819-1891 Became a sailorBecame a sailor Hunted whalesHunted whales Lived among cannibalsLived among cannibals Neighbor to HawthorneNeighbor to Hawthorne Shared his view of humanity as inherently evilShared his view of humanity as inherently evil Explored dark side of lifeExplored dark side of life Wrote: Wrote: Moby DickMoby Dick

Literary ElementsLiterary Elements

MotivationMotivation The stated or implied reason or cause for a The stated or implied reason or cause for a

character’s actions.character’s actions.

Review: MetaphorReview: Metaphor

Nathaniel Philbrick Nathaniel Philbrick

1956-1956- MA in American Literature MA in American Literature From Duke UniversityFrom Duke University A sailorA sailor Was all-American sailor at Brown UniversityWas all-American sailor at Brown University Wrote:Wrote: In the Heart of the SeaIn the Heart of the Sea Won National Book Award for NonfictionWon National Book Award for Nonfiction