Gothic Literature Basics
What century did Gothic literature originate?
The 18th century (1700s)
What is the term for giving human qualities to non-human things?
Personification.
Who is the narrator of The Fall of the House of Usher?
An unnamed friend of Roderick Usher.
Who are the two main characters in House Taken Over?
The unnamed narrator and his sister Irene.
What kind of weather is often present in Gothic stories?
Storms, fog, or eerie moonlight.
Name two common themes in Gothic literature.
Madness, death, supernatural, isolation, or decay.
“The house groaned under the weight of the storm” is an example of what rhetorical device?
Personification.
What illness does Madeline Usher suffer from?
Catalepsy (a condition that causes paralysis and an appearance of death).
What strange event begins happening in the house?
An unknown force gradually takes over rooms.
What is a common type of gothic villain?
A mysterious aristocrat or a mad scientist.
What is the setting of most Gothic stories?
Dark, mysterious locations such as abandoned castles, mansions, or forests.
What is the term for when a writer hints at future events in a story?
Foreshadowing.
What happens to the Usher mansion at the end of the story?
It collapses into the tarn (lake).
How do the characters respond to the house being taken over?
They move to different sections of the house until they are forced to leave completely.
What kind of architecture is featured in Gothic novels?
Crumbling castles, decayed mansions, or old abbeys.
What is the term for a male character who is brooding, mysterious, and often troubled?
A Byronic Hero.
What is the rhetorical device where words, phrases, or structures are repeated for emphasis?
Repetition.
How does Roderick Usher die?
Madeline, after being buried alive, emerges and falls on him, killing them both.
What does the house symbolize?
Fear of the unknown, repression, or societal decay.
What is the role of trapped women in Gothic stories?
They symbolize oppression and fear, often being imprisoned or tormented.
What is the literary movement that influenced Gothic literature and emphasized emotion and imagination?
Romanticism.
In Gothic literature, how does imagery create mood?
It uses vivid descriptions of darkness, decay, or eeriness to evoke fear and suspense.
What does the House of Usher symbolize?
The decay of the Usher family line and mental instability.
What genre besides Gothic could House Taken Over fit into?
Magical Realism.
What Gothic element is often used in the climax of a story?
A terrifying revelation, supernatural event, or violent storm.