...The novel Rebecca was written by Daphne Du Maurier in 1938. There are many elements that make Rebecca a work of gothic literature. Some of these include the fact that Daphne Du Maurier has used isolation and darkness to create a suspenseful and mysterious atmosphere. The fact that Du Maurier has emphasised the narrators fear of the unknown by creating a supernatural atmosphere through the ghost of Rebecca and her servant Mrs Danvers. Also the way Du Maurier describes the characters and the setting using elements of death successfully make Rebecca a piece of gothic literature. Rebecca can be classified as a piece of gothic literature because of the way Du Maurier uses isolation in the novel. Du Maurier uses words such as rusted and unkept to suggest that Manderley had not been visited for a while. Du Maurier describes the surrounding nature around Manderely as unkept and untidy. The way Du Maurier describes the nature surrounding Manderley resembles the darkness in human nature. “The trees choked the terrace” Du Maurier uses personification to give human actions to the trees around Manderley. The use of the word choked makes it seem as if the trees around the house are just as evil as the house itself. This gives the reader an image of Manderley which is dark and empty. The numerous dark and empty rooms also help in making Rebecca a piece of gothic literature. The rooms and passages in Manderely create a ominous atmosphere and a sense of foreboding. Du Maurier’s use of adjectives...
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...| Section B | June 2015 | | | | | June 2014 | “Faustus is a gothic victim, rather than a gothic villain.” To what extent do you agree with this view of Faustus’s role in the play? (40 marks) | “In Wuthering Heights love is presented as an emotion which provokes violence rather than tenderness.” To what extent do you agree with this view? [40 marks] | To what extent do you agree with the view that the novel is a total condemnation of transgression? [40 marks] | “Gothic writing is exciting because it allows us to think the unthinkable.” How far do you agree with this view? [40 marks] | | | | | To what extent do you think gothic writing is a disturbing exploration of the unknown? [40 marks | | | | | To what extent do you agree with the view that gothic writing shows that human beings are naturally inclined to be evil rather than good? [40 marks] | June 2013 | “Although Faustus is eventually punished, the play is essentially a celebration of sin rather than a morality tale.” How far do you agree with this view of the play? (40 marks) | How far do you agree with the view that, in Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte shows that more suffering is caused by a diseased mind than by a diseased body? (40 marks) | Explore some of the ways in which Mary Shelley uses different settings to contribute to the gothic effects of the novel. (40 marks) | To what extent do you agree that, in gothic writing, fear and pain are sources of pleasure? (40 marks) (40 marks) | | | ...
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...will be looking to determine whether or not it can be classified as a Gothic novel. Initially, I will present a short story of the Gothic and dwell briefly on the era of its publication. The paper will also examine the various characteristics that are common amongst gothic literature so as to run a comparison with this work. Several aspects like the surroundings, natural environment, the role of females in the Gothic novel, atmosphere, as well as the story’s Villain, will be compared with the elements that can be seen in the publication Dracula (Frank, 1988). I will attempt to find out the reasons why Gothic novels are normally so attractive. It is essential to break certain taboos so as to develop an atmosphere of fear and danger. I will examine Dracula to determine whether or not it contains similar elements. Meaning of Gothic novel According to the Oxford dictionary, Gothic refers to the architectural style that was common in Western Europe in the period that span between the 12th and 16th Century. It was mainly characterized by a ribbed vault, pointed arch as well as pillars that are clustered (Bernstein, 1991). This term was mostly used in connection with an individual that behaved like a barbarian. This was because of the destructive and primitive German tribe that was called the Goths. The Goths used to invade Western and Eastern empires from the 3rd to the 5th centuries (Le Tellier, 1980).The Gothic genre has a flexible register that was able to be employed under every...
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...“Although terrifying, many of the stories are also darkly comic.” Consider at least two of the stories from The Bloody Chamber in the light of this comment. * candidates must consider at least two stories here – they may consider more * exploration of the ways in which the stories may be considered terrifying, an aspect of the gothic – likely reference to the numerous instances of horrific violence, sexual depravity, supernatural powers, psychological fear etc * exploration of the ways in which some of the stories may be considered comic – “Puss-in-Boots” is obviously comic – other stories have moments of sardonic humour, often created by surprise or defiance of our expectations * Response to the word “darkly” in the question and its implications of black comedy – laughing at things which are not normally considered funny – expect some personal response here – sense of humour is very individual! * some candidates may discuss Carter’s language – her intermingling of the poetic and literary with the bluntly crude may be seen as a source of dark humour, equally her choice of structure may make her writing darkly comic – her use of juxtaposition – some readers have seen the absurd brevity of “The Snow Child” as comic and it is unquestionably “dark” Carter’s ‘The Bloody Chamber’ certainly embeds an element of terror within the collection. However, despite claims of horror apparent in the Marquis from the very start, it is also reasonable to argue that...
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...Examine some of the ways Gothic horror is presented in Frankenstein showing how your understanding of Mary Shelley’s techniques has been illuminated by your reading of Poe’s short stories Firstly, Shelley uses the setting of her novel in order to create an unsettling atmosphere in various chapters. Factors such as time, weather and architecture all play an important role in bringing horror to life in both Frankenstein and Poe’s short stories. Mary Shelley aligns Victor with the Romantic Movement, which emphasised a turn to nature for experiences like hope and happiness. The natural world has notable effects on Victor’s mood. He is moved and happy in the presence of the scenic beauty of Switzerland. In return this also reminds Victor of his guilt, shame and regret. “The rain depressed me; my old feelings recurred, and I was miserable”. This enables the weather to foreshadow Victor’s emotions throughout the novel. The theme of nature also reappears in the monster’s narrative. Whereas Victor seeks the high cold hard world of the Alps for comfort, as if to freeze his guilt, the monster finds solace in the soft colours of a spring time forest. This symbolises his desire to reveal himself to the world and interact with others. The architecture of the early nineteenth century was typically gothic and of a medieval revival style. It is this gloomy and frightening scenery, which sets the scene for what the audience should expect. Likewise, Poe uses the setting to convey...
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...City in most urban gothics tend to be a labyrinth of mystery, a source of corruption and evil. The role that the city plays in creating evil is not limited to the labyrinth nature of the city which protects the crimes of antagonists and villains. The creation of evil and is association with the city is also influenced by the early Victorian perception of the city and the crimes that occurred in the city. Irene Adler the primary antagonist and villain, in the Arthur Conon Doyle’s “Scandal in Bohemia” (1891), outwits Sherlock Holmes – One of the greatest detectives and brilliant minds in literature to date. The nature in which if she operates, is helped by the nature of the city which encourages, promotes and even hide the criminality and violence....
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........................................................................................................................ 5 Historical Context .............................................................................................................................. 10 The View on Women and Their Expected Roles in the late 18th and 19th Century ....................... 11 - Mary Shelley disowns herself .................................................................................................. 11 - Mary Shelley’s Background .................................................................................................... 12 Women’s Role in Frankenstein ..................................................................................................... 13 Men’s Role in Frankenstein ........................................................................................................... 13 - Women in Society and Women as Writers .................................................................................. 15 - The Status of Women .................................................................................................................. 18 Gothic Novels Exclude Women from the Social Order ................................................................. 20 Good and Bad Science...
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...PREFACE This major project examines the indispensable desiderata of Transcendentalism in comparison to the Dark Romantics background and how these technicalities prepare this work of art as an influential synthesis of human imagination incorporated with mystic facts. Transcendentalism and Dark Romanticism were two literary movements that occurred in America during roughly the same time period (1840—1860). Although the two had surface similarities, such as their reverence for Nature, their founding beliefs were quite different, enough to make one seem almost the antithesis of each other. Moreover one’s genesis is ventured out from other; i.e. Dark Romanticism from the roots of Transcendentalism or precisely the lacunae are best determined for raising up the term called Dark Romanticism. Contents S. No. Page no. Chapter 1.........................................................................................................4-14 Chapter 2.........................................................................................................15-23. Chapter 3..........................................................................................................24-27 Resolution.........................................................................................................28-29 Work Cited................................................................
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...To give an insight into society and humanity whilst still being aesthetically interesting and thought provoking is a feat that only the best of classic literature can accomplish. Dracula, by Bram Stoker (1897) and The Picture of Dorian Gray, by Oscar Wilde (1893) are such novels and they both reveal different aspects of life in the Victorian era. Whilst Stoker’s writing affirms the ideas of British supremacy in technology as well as the fear of foreigners, Wilde’s writing sheds light on the superficial nature and decaying morals of people in the era. With the aid of language techniques such as imagery, descriptive language and gothic style both texts are an aesthetic read and provoke thought as they both subvert ideas readers may already have...
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...“The role of women in the gothic genre is as victims, always subject to male authority.” Compare and contrast the extent to which this interpretation is relevant to your three chosen texts. “The wolf consumes red riding hood – what else can you expect if you talk to strange men, comments Perrault briskly. Let’s not bother our heads with the mysteries of sadomasochistic attraction” Angela Carter; Foreword to Perrault’s Short Stories. In much of today’s feminist writings, the Gothic era is frequently defined as a period in which the oppression of females was at its most intense. In response to fin de siècle anxieties of a social revolution in which gender stereotypes could be overhauled, gothic writers, it is claimed, sought to reassert cultural and gender norms – a reassertion which inevitably resulted in the oppression of women. In view of such contemporary analysis, it is thus all too tempting to offer a sweeping judgement of gothic literature as victimising, oppressive and misogynistic; Dracula’s “victims” are all “unambiguously women[1]”, Poe victimises through an “idealised and dehumanising image of women[2]”, while Carter is a “pseudo feminist” who merely “reinforces patriarchal views” with her “pornographic” writing[3]. Yet such views are largely artificial, and are primarily based on potted summaries of the above works, rather than a closer textual analysis. If one takes the definition of a victim as a being who is subject to the successful predatory actions of...
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...Arts and industry were important sculptural representations that were opportunities for a coherent and didactic image of cultural value. Figures that represented multiple roles within the community, such as chemistry, agriculture and art appeared in friezes of historical narrative and grouped allegories. Figures representing winds, human qualities, cultural concepts and arts were all present in the design. The East side of the building the figures represented maritime industry and agriculture, the west was devoted to engineering, painting, architecture, astronomy, dance and communication. The north contains only a monk and a scholar with law as the theme in the northwest. F.C. Fehr designed the south façade with full-length historical and allegorical figures, which represent wisdom, education, shipping, law, truth, music, Britannia, sculpture, government literature and architecture. The eastern side of the façade depicts Jane Grey at Syon House and King John and the Magna Carta on the western side of the façade. Both of these historical acts occurred in Middlesex. The building had purpose, a guildhall for the community, which may have been a medieval concept at the...
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...good collection of books which constitute the body of American Literature. Any book written will register the life style of people, their food habits, culture, beliefs, system of education followed, the nature of children and their history. The books written by the writers from the United States of America have registered the expectations, hopes, future predictions along with warnings their fear for degeneration of moralities and the impacts of Industrial revolutions. American Literature was acutely carved by the history of the United Nations of America. In the beginning after a great revolution for more than a century and half America became the United States. Though at first...
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...Tyler Viator Due: March 5, 2015 English 2123 Lisa Nohner A Mother’s Influence Stephen King’s novel, Carrie, is the story of a girl who uncovers her unique ability on her path to womanhood and power. Stephen King wrote his story about Carrie three years after he graduated from college. During the 1970s, while King was in college, he was transformed by the idea of Women’s Liberation and how it would influence both males and females. King used interstitial, grotesque, sexual, gender, power, and violent literary elements with components of the European and American gothic genre to create a Supernatural Horror/Drama that reflected on life during the time period. Carrie White was raised by her widowed mother, Margaret White, on Carlin St. in Chamberlain, Maine during the mid 1970s. Throughout Carrie’s childhood, she was the subject of mental and physical abuse. Her mother and late father, Ralph White, were religious zealots who attempted to conceal Carrie from the outside world. Often times, when Carrie acted out, Margaret would inflict physical pain upon herself and sentence Carrie the closet to punish her for her wrongdoings. The abuse did not stop at home. At the age of 17, Carry had her first menstrual cycle in the girls’ shower of her high school Ewan Consolidated High School. After the girls recognized Carrie’s confusion and panic, they began to collectively ridicule her until Mrs. Desjardin, their instructor could come to Carrie’s aid. On the way home from school that...
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...to the other supernatural beings like witches and werewolf’s, and today’s concept is also a confused being, a zombie? A lover? Hallab states that “vampires are only those figures—folkloric, mythical, or literary—who are dead humans who are still capable of behaving as though they are alive.” Today, vampires have become a culture of their own, and are a huge part of mainstream pop culture. The Twilight Cullen’s and Sesame Street’s Count Dracula have a whole new appeal on adults and children. The appeal is not always good. According to Vampire Gothic, which is about vampire gothic cultures in United States, Teresa A. Goddu discusses a teenage vampire clan that was discovered in Murray, Kentucky, that was found participating in role-playing games such as drinking each other’s blood and killing puppies. Goddu explains that it’s the raw supernatural aspect of vampires that drew the teenager’s attention. We will discuss the gothic culture and how it relates to vampires later on in the paper. Looking back, no matter how these creatures are portrayed they have proven to be remarkably adaptable...
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...just with your body but with your head. It’s that kind of space in which we find ourselves lost. What a lost person needs is a map of the territory, with his own position marked on it so he can see where he is in relation to everything else. Literature is not only a mirror; it is also a map, a geography of the mid. Our literature is one such map, if we can learn to read it as our literature, as the product of who and where we have been. We need such a map desperately; we need to know about here, because here is where we live. For the members of a country or culture, shared knowledge of their place, their here, is not a luxury but a necessity. Without that knowledge we will not survive.” Margaret Atwood, Survival As Atwood’s statement demonstrates, Canadian literature is concerned with place and displacement, and with the development of an effective identifying relationship between self and environs. Canada’s literature whether written in English or French reflects three main parts of Canadian experience. First, Canadian writers often emphasize the effects of climate and geography on the life and work of their people. Second, frontier’s life is part of Canada’s experience that appears frequently in its literature; Third, Canada’s position in the world profoundly affects many Canadian writers. French Canadians often feel surrounded by their English speaking neighbors. They have made a determined effort to preserve their own institutions and culture. But English...
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