“The Dark Side of Individualism”
p. 446
Name ________________________
1. What famous/infamous creatures were born during the American Gothic literary time period?
2. From what did American Gothic draw its inspiration? Be specific!
*American Romanticism draws its inspiration from the British Medieval period and stories from that
time period such as Le Morte d’Arthur and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
3. How was the Romantic Movement instrumental in the rise of Gothic literature?
4. Name 2 authors who used Gothic elements, and what are those elements?
5. In the 20th century, where did American Gothic return? Through the works of what authors?
Poe
pg. 450 – You will be responsible for taking notes (below) over that which I present in class lecture from
this section.
“The Masque of the Red Death”
pg. 454
Read Build Background
*Masque = masquerade = a metaphor for life (in this story)
*Allegory – a story with 2 layers of meaning in which most people, objects, or events represent
something else, something more
1. How would you characterize Prince Prospero after reading the first 33 lines?
2. What symbolism can be determined in his name?
3. What event is the prince hosting? To avoid what event?
4. As you read, identify ALL Dark Romantic elements. Pay close attention to specific words and a
dark, sinister nature created by these words also.
5. Make note of the colors of the 7 rooms in the home of the Prince.
Research the meanings of colors.
Look for a potentially logical connection of the meanings of colors as they relate to this story
and Dark Romanticism.
Room #1 –
Room #2 –
Room #3 –
Room #4 –
Room #5 –
Room #6 -
Room #7 –
*Romanticism celebrated imagination over reason, spontaneity over control, and individualism over
social conformity. Aspects of Romanticism include; emotionalism, the exotic, nature, subjectivity of
perception, the satisfaction of desire, fantasy and introspection, idealism, and the notion of the Noble
Savage.
*Dark Romanticism emerged from the Transcendental Movement; its literature is less optimistic; it
presents individuals as prone to sin and self-destruction; it uses images of evil, such as Satan, devils,
ghosts, and vampires; sees Nature as a spiritual force but in a more sinister way than did the Romantics;
shares some similarity with England’s Gothic literature.
6. How is the ebony clock personified? What effect does its clanging have on the guests? Why
might this be? *Think about what a clock represents.
7. What happens when the clock clangs at midnight?
8. What symbolism is associated with the stranger?
9. Where does the Prince talk in such a way as to lead you to believe he sees himself as being
above death/dying?
10. What happens when the stranger is chase into the 7th room? When the guests attack the
stranger?
11. What is the theme (or message) of this story?
“The Raven” p. 467.
We will read and explicate this in class. Take notes below.