ENG3407 D560 Gothic Literature, FA2015

Cathedral of St. John the Devine – Buttresses a flying

Hi everybody,

What a great field trip! I hope that everybody had a chance to really look closely at some of the architectural details and characteristics that define the “look” of Gothic Revival. And, additionally, I hope that you had a pleasant time; I know that I did. Many of you, I suspect, now have new ideas for their Gothic Spaces Presentation.

For Tuesday: read Rossetti’s poem “Goblin Market” (in Readings). We will discuss the poem in terms of its gothic characteristics and its sexual/queer themes, so make sure to review the Foucault and Queer Theory readings. Also, bring in your two-page outline or draft of the presentation. Make sure to either post a photo of your gothic space/place or bring in a photocopy of it for peer review.

Cheers,

Sean

The Brooklyn Bridge + part of NYC skyline

Hello Everybody. Here is my picture for the Gothic Presentation. I’m not sure if we are suppose to put it somewhere.

I put two readings on the “Readings”menu tab. The first is by Michel Foucault from his important work: The History of Sexuality. In this intro he lays out his historical reach into the Victorian past and his three doubts. The Second is a fairly dense history and theory of Queer Theory from the JH Guide to Literary Theory and Criticism. You really only need to read the pages on Queer Theory, but it might help to understand Gender Theory and Criticism, and so I included it as well.

I hope to walk to Montague Street on Thursday, but we might have to delay it until next week. In any event, please bring in your images and outline for the Gothic Spaces Presentation for discussion.

Best,

Prof. Scanlan

Hi Class,

I put in paperwork for a field trip to St. Ann’s and the Holy Trinity Church on Montague Street for next Thursday. I could not make the Gravesend Haunted Hotel work for us. But you could go on your own if you want.

By Tuesday I will know if the trip is approved (I think it will).

In the meantime, four things:

1. Check out the videos on Gothic music and dance on the Daily Goth
2. Read the handout on Queer Theory under “Readings”
3. I’ve posted more information on Gothic Architecture under “Readings”
4. Think about and take some photos of Gothic spaces/places.

Cheers,

Sean

Well, it seems that we need to talk about this:

http://gravesendinn.org/

Hi Class,

Fun discussion of Todorov’s terms and how they might play out in Jackson’s Thriller.

The only homework for Thursday is to read Poe’s story: “The Fall of the House of Usher”–bring Groom to class though as I want to cover parts of Chapter 8. Please print out a copy, read carefully for fantastic/marvelous/uncanny/gothic, and bring to class on Thursday.

I’ve uploaded a copy of Edgar Allen Poe’s story to the Readings menu tab.

Best,

Prof. Scanlan

Is Jackson’s film fantastic or uncanny?

Hi all,

Cahit sent me a link to a really superb interpretation of “The Yellow Wallpaper.” Thanks Cahit.