Section B
ELEMENTS OF THE GOTHIC
(referring to Macbeth, Frankenstein AND The Bloody Chamber in one hour)
Jan 2010
19 To what extent do you think gothic literature is characterised by a fascination with death?
OR
20 “Gothic settings are desolate, alienating and full of menace.”
In the light of this comment, consider some of the ways in which writers use settings in the
gothic texts you have read.
OR
21 Consider the view that gothic writing often explores the powerlessness of humanity when
faced with the power of the supernatural.
June 2010
1 9 “Religion is central to readings of gothic texts.”
How far do you agree with this statement?
OR
2 0 Consider the view that gothic writing explores the “nightmarish terrors” that lie beneath
the orderly surface of the “civilised mind”.
OR
2 1 “In gothic writing, women are presented as either innocent victims or sinister predators or
are significantly absent.”
Consider the place of women in gothic writing in the light of this comment.
Jan 2011
1 9 “A melodramatic genre, where extremes of emotion have disastrous consequences.”
How far do you agree with this view of writing in the gothic tradition?
OR
2 0 Consider the view that literature within the gothic genre is always shocking.
OR
2 1 “Characters in gothic writing are haunted by their past mistakes and often have to face
terrible consequences.”
Discuss some of the characters in the texts you have read in the light of this comment.
June 2011
1 9 Consider the ways in which gothic writing could be said to explore the fear of forces
beyond human understanding.
OR
2 0 “For writers in the gothic tradition, the struggle between good and evil is always of
central importance and good is rarely victorious.”
How far do you agree with this view?
OR
2 1 “Gothic writing is often unintentionally comic rather than truly terrifying.”
To what extent do you agree with this criticism of gothic writing?
Section B
ELEMENTS OF THE GOTHIC – with POSSIBLE content
(referring to Macbeth, Frankenstein AND The Bloody Chamber in one hour)
40 marks
Jan 2010
19
To what extent do you think gothic literature is characterised by a fascination with
death?




OR
20
candidates should consider the ways in which death is presented in their three texts
response to the view that texts show a ‘fascination’ with death: some may agree,
others may dispute the use of fascination
some supportive analysis of the language used in the texts to refer to death
some contextual discussion where differing religious attitudes may be relevant
“Gothic settings are desolate, alienating and full of menace.”
In the light of this comment, consider some of the ways in which writers use settings
in the
gothic texts you have read.




OR
21
consideration of the different ways in which writers of gothic texts use setting in three
texts
some analysis of the language used to depict setting to support the points
engagement with the specific descriptions in the question: desolate, alienating and
‘full of menace’ – candidates may endorse or challenge any of these according to
texts or views: they do not have to consider each of these separately in each of the
three texts
some candidates may see settings as possessing their own autonomous power and
influence or as a reflection of the inner states or experience of the characters
Consider the view that gothic writing often explores the powerlessness of humanity
when faced with the power of the supernatural.




exploration of the ways in which humans may be seen as powerless in gothic texts
possible view that humans are always to be seen as victims of supernatural forces
some candidates may explore the differing presentations of supernatural power in the
texts they have read and assess their differing effects
possible view that humans are often seen to overcome supernatural forces
June 2010
“Religion is central to readings of gothic texts.”
How far do you agree with this statement?
19




possible view that conventional Christian beliefs are central to readings of all gothic
texts – perhaps with particular discussion of concepts of heaven/hell/the afterlife/the
devil
possible view that Christian morality and its subversion are addressed in gothic texts
possible argument that texts challenge Christianity in their use of such elements as
the occult/supernatural etc
possible discussion of how the context of production alters attitudes – e.g. some
candidates may see older texts as ‘more religious’ than modern ones

OR
20
some candidates may examine the role of religious figures as representatives of their
religion
Consider the view that gothic writing explores the “nightmarish terrors” that lie
beneath the orderly surface of the “civilised mind”.




discussion of what may be defined as nightmarish terrors in the three texts
consideration of the ways in which gothic texts explore the hidden terrors in the
depths of the human psyche
possible discussion of contextual influences on these terrors: attitudes to science,
insurrection, sexuality etc
examination of what may be defined as the orderly surfaces of the civilised mind:
discussion of accepted codes of behaviour, social norms etc
OR
21
“In gothic writing, women are presented as either innocent victims or sinister
predators or
are significantly absent.”
Consider the place of women in gothic writing in the light of this comment.




consideration of the differing ways in which women are presented in the three texts
response to the view that women are sometimes presented as innocent victims; pure,
virginal creatures to be preyed upon by gothic monsters of varying types
response to the view that sometimes women are presented in gothic texts as
predatory monsters (some candidates may address psycho-analytical theories)
response to the view that women are sometimes ‘significantly absent’
Jan 2011
“A melodramatic genre, where extremes of emotion have disastrous consequences.”
How far do you agree with this view of writing in the gothic tradition?
19




OR
20
response to the view that gothic writing is exaggerated and melodramatic
possible view that gothic writing does depict extremes of emotion, together with some
discussion of the types of emotion shown – e.g. hatred, aggression, ambition, even
love
some candidates may highlight some characters in gothic texts who display more
moderate views – e.g. Elizabeth in Frankenstein, and consider whether they suffer
disastrous consequences
discussion of some examples of the ways in which emotional extremes end in
disaster
Consider the view that literature within the gothic genre is always shocking.





discussion of some of the shocking elements within the texts studied
response to the word ‘always’ in the question – some candidate may modify this word
and argue cogently
some candidates may engage in contextual considerations, particularly reception
contexts
examiners should expect differing personal responses which should be well-argued:
there is likely to be engagement with the gothic transgression of sexual and/or
religious and/or moral boundaries
some candidates may interpret ‘shocking’ in a more modern, colloquial sense – i.e.
bad, awful – and argue that the contents and/or the language and structure of the
texts may be shocking
OR
21
face
“Characters in gothic writing are haunted by their past mistakes and often have to
terrible consequences.”
Discuss some of the characters in the texts you have read in the light of this
comment.





consideration of the links between the past and present
discussion of some examples of characters who have made dreadful mistakes in
their pasts which they are unable to overcome and forget
consideration of some of the ‘terrible consequences’ faced, including death
possible view that there is occasionally redemption for some characters – e.g. some
of the women in Angela Carter’s stories who triumph in spite of their evil deeds
consideration of the links between transgression and punishment
June 2011
19
Consider the ways in which gothic writing could be said to explore the fear of forces
beyond human understanding.




OR
20
discussion of what constitutes the ‘forces beyond human understanding’: this may be
seen as the supernatural, religious or divine powers, the subconscious mind etc –
according to the candidate’s personal perceptions
consideration of the ways in which gothic texts show fear of these forces
discussion of the ways in which characters in the texts respond to these forces
some candidates may see the role of science or religious faith in some texts as the
solution to dealing with this fear
“For writers in the gothic tradition, the struggle between good and evil is always of
central importance and good is rarely victorious.”
How far do you agree with this view?





OR
21
consideration of some of the ways the struggle between good and evil is presented in
the three texts
response to the idea that this struggle is of central importance to gothic writing
response to the view that good is rarely victorious – some candidates may agree with
this and see some of the triumphs of evil
others may disagree and show how good wins in the end, but often at a cost (Pyrrhic
victory) and therefore possibly not really true victory
some may not find definitions of good and evil totally black and white
“Gothic writing is often unintentionally comic rather than truly terrifying.”
To what extent do you agree with this criticism of gothic writing?





some candidates may disagree with this view and discuss truly terrifying elements of
gothic fiction: some may find monsters, the unknown, the supernatural etc terrifying
some candidates may find the moral depravity or psychological aspects of gothic
writing more terrifying – e.g. Macbeth
possible views that some gothic writing (or all) is comic and response to the word
‘unintentionally’
some candidates may find the texts too excessive, melodramatic, incredible,
exaggerated etc so they become comic because they are so far-fetched
some candidates may refer to elements of black humour (or see some scenes in
Frankenstein as farcical)