THE HISTORY OF HORROR

THE GOTHIC NOVEL

1.Who invented the G.N? What was the title of the first G.N? When was it first published?

Horace Walpole invented the Gothic novel. The first one was The Castle of Otranto and the first published in 1764.

    2. Which basic elements of horror do you remember from the introductory lesson? Write a minimum of ten.

• Unexpected events
• Haunted house
• Animal’s howl
• Blood
• Omens
• Threat
• Shrieks
• Vampire
• Spirits
• thunder and lightning

3. Choose one of the topics on DISCOVERING LITERATURE and write a post.

Dracula: vampires, perversity and Victorian anxieties

This topic explains the history and the characteristics of the vampires, more specifically Dracula, Bram Stoker.  His book reflects the fears of immigration, sexual promiscuity and moral degeneration. They say that the vampire is a complicated creature and a very contradictory figure (alluring/horrifying). Also his ability to move through the streets in London, in this moment he reflects the immigration. The act of vampirism, with its blood, suggests the fear of sexually transmitted illnesses. Literature tends to present the vampire myth as a sexual allegory and in the book there appear two women: Mina and Lucy “the New Woman”.

THE PSYCHOLOGICAL HORROR STORY

1. Who is Edgar Allan Poe? When and where was he born?

Edgar Allan Poe was an American writer, poet, critic and editor. He was born on 19th January 1809, in Boston (Massachusetts).

2. What was he famous for?

He is famous for his tales and poems of horror and mystery, including The Fall of the House of Usher, The Tell-Tale Heart and The Raven.

3. Did he get married?

Yes, with his cousin Virginia and the couple married in 1836.

4. How did he die?

He died on 7th October 1849 and he died of a great distress.

5. Name some of his most famous works

His famous works were ‘The Black Cat’, ‘The Raven’ and ‘Annabel Lee’.

ALFRED HITCHCOCK

1. What’s his nickname?

The nickname of Hitchcock is ‘The Master of Suspense’.

2. What was his most famous horror film?

His most famous horror film was Psycho.

3. What was his main contribution to horror?

His main contribution to horror was his frequent use of the subjective camera to reveal a character’s vision.