The MOLE
(The Mysteries of Literary Elements)
Assignment-Comparing and understanding stylistic and gothic elements
specifically atmosphere.
Procedure1. Lecture and discuss the Gothic elements and the characteristics of
American romantic literature.
2. Watch the video “Great Books: Tales of Edgar Allen Poe” on United
Streaming and discuss atmosphere.
3. Optional: Give the students the United Streaming quiz for the video.
4. Have students read “Fall of the House of Usher” and complete the
atmosphere transparency/worksheet found in the Literary Elements
transparency book associated with the textbook: The Elements of
Literature Fifth Course.
5. Discuss Poe’s influence on contemporary genres. Hand out the
comparison chart between Edgar Allen Poe’s short story “Fall of the
House of Usher” and the original Scooby Doo episode “What the Hex
is Going on?”
6. Have students complete the comparison chart while watching the
Scooby Doo episode. The episode is available for free on The Big
Cartoon Database (http://www.bcdb.com).
7. Hand out the guidelines for the Fall of the House of Usher soundtrack
guidelines. Each student is required to create a possible soundtrack for
a modern version of “The Fall of the House of Usher.” (The students
are not required to record the songs; however, if they do turn in the
songs, I offer ten points extra credit added on the final grade for the
soundtrack.)
Assessment1. optional- Quiz from United Streaming
2. Atmosphere worksheet/transparency
3. Comparison chart
4. Written list of songs with explanations/ Creative interpretation