Gothic Literature Group at eNotes

Asimov is another good one to teach on the topic of science's good vs....

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:23:50 PST

Asimov is another good one to teach on the topic of science's good vs. its evil. The movie "I, Robot" was based on work by Asimov, and it stirs great discussion over how much man relies upon his technology, and how much scientific technology should be allowed to control our lives.Kids often dissect the topic of "Is science good or bad, and how should it be controlled, if at all?" They really get involved in this one, as...

I love this...there are never any wrong answers in my classes as long as...

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 07:05:09 PST

I love this...there are never any wrong answers in my classes as long as students can back up and support their opinions. I love "The Birthmark" and Frankenstein for these reasons among other stories. Another favorite of mine is "Dr. Hiedigger's Experiment." It is our job as teachers to get kids thinking and to keep them on their toes. They must be taught how to think and debate!

Yes, it seems to be a contradiction in terms, but it is so true.

Tue, 8 Jul 2008 16:18:39 PST

Yes, it seems to be a contradiction in terms, but it is so true.

Ok, ok LOL!Below, I've CORRECTED the mistakes in it for you...there were...

Tue, 8 Jul 2008 16:16:51 PST

Ok, ok LOL!Below, I've CORRECTED the mistakes in it for you...there were only a few minor grammar/punctuation/spelling errors:Supernatural appearances and motifs, such as ghosts, specters and monsters, are embodiments of people’s deepest fears and longings. Gothic literature reflects the antagonism between reason and phantasy or one may even say it reflects the search for identity, the insecurities of the individual and therefore it fosters...

In reply to #4:Would you mind telling me what the mistakes are?...

Tue, 8 Jul 2008 16:11:24 PST

In reply to #4:Would you mind telling me what the mistakes are? Please:-)!!!

Thanks for that answer! You really surprised me by saying that you are...

Tue, 8 Jul 2008 16:07:45 PST

Thanks for that answer! You really surprised me by saying that you are not sure if the American Dream still exists. I think here in Germany we still consider the States the country the place that can take you from Rags to Riches:-). So to us the concept of the American Dream is still very present - despite all the problems we see... I really love your country and can`t wait to go there again:-)).It`s 1 a.m. in Germany, time to go to bed.It was...

LOL! I don't mean to make you nervous! Yes, there are some mistakes...

Tue, 8 Jul 2008 16:04:04 PST

LOL! I don't mean to make you nervous! Yes, there are some mistakes in the paragraph you posted. :) This is where I meant to "clean up your grammar/punctuation/spelling." Yes, a thesis is one sentence, normally. I'm not sure what you mean when you say you were told to write 3-5 sentences on "each" statement, though...

Yes, controversial questions certainly are good for provoking some good...

Tue, 8 Jul 2008 16:01:11 PST

Yes, controversial questions certainly are good for provoking some good thought! I agree wholeheartedly and I don't shy away from those in my own classes. :) I'm partial to "The Birthmark." I love the lesson of that story!!!

Yes, I agree with this! I'm not sure there is the Utopian...

Tue, 8 Jul 2008 15:58:10 PST

Yes, I agree with this! I'm not sure there is the Utopian "American Dream" anymore. Our world has changed so much that we have to make our own "American Dream" by making due with what we have. Of course there is the dark side of America, yes. More Americans than ever are disenchanted with the government and the economy. This truly affects the American people's attitudes about the future. When times are tough,...

In reply to #2:Controversial questions are good for my exam, I guess....

Tue, 8 Jul 2008 15:57:44 PST

In reply to #2:Controversial questions are good for my exam, I guess. That way my professor and I could disuss a bit:-). As examples for my thesis I thought of Hawthorne's Rappaccini's Daughter and The Birth-Mark...

In reply to #2:Now you are making me a bit nervous:-). Are there that...

Tue, 8 Jul 2008 15:52:56 PST

In reply to #2:Now you are making me a bit nervous:-). Are there that many mistakes? Or what do you mean by "Be sure to clean up your grammar/punctuation/spelling"?I thought a thesis should consist of one single sentence - and that was what I had prepared. But then I was told to write 3-5 sentences on each statement:-((.

Wow, that was the quickest response ever! I guess that means that my...

Tue, 8 Jul 2008 15:35:56 PST

Wow, that was the quickest response ever! I guess that means that my English was understandable:-)...So is that what you describe the "delightful horror" I always stumble over?

This is a controversial question. For the most part, I believe science...

Tue, 8 Jul 2008 15:33:00 PST

This is a controversial question. For the most part, I believe science is a true blessing. There are some advancements that I think are flirting with playing "God," which I believe is a dangerous thing, quite honestly, though. In some ways, I think humanity has become too reliant on scientific advancements instead of human condition, too. It is true that there is abuse in the scientific world, as well!

Absolutely! Aren't people always fascinated by things that invoke fear...

Tue, 8 Jul 2008 15:29:46 PST

Absolutely! Aren't people always fascinated by things that invoke fear and/or intrigue? One aspect of human nature is curiosity, so Gothic definitely makes people curious, and when you add fear into that mix, it makes it much more intriguing! The pleasure and pain point is also true, in my opinion.

Gothic or :How the new world deals with the burden of the old

Tue, 8 Jul 2008 15:28:06 PST

The sense of "return" is of vital importance in the creation of the "uncanny" in Gothic fiction. The constant, compulsive recurrence of "something" creates individual uncertainty within the protagonist and the reader and thus addresses the fundamental question of how the new world deals with the burden of the old.

(The Black Cat, The Tell-Tale Heart...)

Pleasure and pain

Tue, 8 Jul 2008 15:25:23 PST

The reason why gothic fiction or "horror" literature has always been and still is a popular genre lies in the "tightrope walk" between pleasure and pain which on the one hand thrills the reader and at the same time provokes fears and feelings of rejection. By focusing on the uncertainties and contradictions of the psyche, gothic writings...

Interesting! I think you've done a good job with these points. If...

Tue, 8 Jul 2008 15:25:10 PST

Interesting! I think you've done a good job with these points. If you're sticking to a one sentence thesis, I'm assuming that the first sentence after the last question would be your thesis. I agree with this statement, definitely. This is why the Gothic genre is so popular and will remain so. People are absolutely intrigued by their fears and what fuels them. Be sure to clean up your grammar/punctuation/spelling. :) (English...

Science: a blessing or a curse?

Tue, 8 Jul 2008 15:23:35 PST

Is science a blessing or a curse? With the upcoming achievements of modern science, many authors of American Gothic seem to doubt and reject the promise that science is able to improve human conditions and thus make their readers reflect on the use and abuse of scientific methods. This is a topic which still has a most prominent relevance today.

American Nightmare

Tue, 8 Jul 2008 15:22:04 PST

As an allusion to the American self-conception American Gothic fiction represents the "American Nightmare". That dark downside of the so-called "American Dream" reveals the limits of the American faith in social and economical progress. Gothic literature reflects the contradictions of the society at that time.

Thesis on Gothic

Tue, 8 Jul 2008 15:20:18 PST

I came up with this thesis on the development of the genre of the American Gothic - for my exam on Friday. Would you agree? Any objections? Supernatural appearances and motifs, such as ghosts, specters and monsters, are embodiments of people’s deepest fears and longings. Gothic literature reflects the antagonism between reason and fantasy. Or one may even say it reflects the search for identity, the insecurities of the individual and...