Learning the Elements of the Gothic Novel: A brief investigation of genre.
Genre – refers to a category or type of literature based on its style, form, and content.
For example, science fiction and the mystery novel are examples of two different types of genre.
Many critics classify Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a gothic novel. We have also talked in
class, when I introduced the text, about how others make an additional claim that it is also a
psychological novel. Given that you have now read about half the novel, you should have some
evidence to determine if you think this sways more toward being a gothic novel or a
psychological novel, or if it should truly be classified in both genres.
Assignment:
Go to www.virtualsalt.com. Click on Elements of the Gothic novel; this is the 13th link down the
list, under the heading “Articles Related to Literature.” Print off the graphic organizer below and
write down the 10 elements of the Gothic novel and summarize each in your own words. Then
in the box, put a “yes” or “no” if the left margin for each element to indicate whether or not this
element is found in our novel, Frankenstein. In order to support your “yes” or “no” for each
element, you must find key quotes from the text for support. Write this support under each
category, and you must include page numbers. (20 points)
You need to have this completed by the end of the hour, so stay on task!
Name of Element
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Yes/No
Summary of each element and text support with pg. numbers