The next five weeks will be dedicated to an exploration of Gothic Literature-- a genre that integrates a sense of horror and madness with romance and obsession. We will be focusing on a poem by Edgar Allan Poe, one short stories by Nathaniel Hawthorne, and finally the well-known novel by Mary Shelley:
-"The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe
-"The Minister's Black Veil" by Nathaniel Hawthorne
-Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
We will be learning about themes, motifs, and symbols within these works and how they connect with the genre as a whole. We will touch on the historical period that brought about these eerie tales. And, we will critically discuss the reasons these stories have gained such popularity both during the time they were written as well as today.
Hopefully by the end of this unit you will have gained a concrete understanding of elements and genre associated with Gothic Literature. You will find that your modern day understanding of the word 'gothic' is very much connected with the way we will learn about it through literature.
For those of you unfamiliar with Gothic Literature, be prepared to experience the darkness, madness, and terror associated with the human mind.
