Many critics argue that the Gothic genre continues to shape modern art and literature, especially through film and video. Take, for example, Michael Jackson’s Thriller music video, the numerous film adaptations of Frankenstein, and various movies inspired by Stephen King’s novels. How do these works embody the fundamental elements of Gothic literature? Additionally, how do 20th and 21st-century interpretations evolve the Gothic concepts that were prominent in earlier times?

Read excerpts from Edmund Burke’s A Philosophical Enquiry into the Sublime and the Beautiful, and connect Burke’s theories to a Gothic novel of your choice. How are Burke’s ideas manifested in the novel you choose? Make sure to provide specific examples from the text to support your argument.

Explore scientific, biological, psychological, and spiritual theories regarding why humans dream. Sigmund Freud’s On Dreams may also offer valuable insights. Linking your studies on dreams with the psychological landscapes of Gothic fiction can enhance your understanding of the imagery and narratives found in many Gothic novels.

Through parody, authors expose and humorously critique the typical conventions of a specific genre. The Airplane film series, for instance, humorously highlights and mocks the conventions of disaster films. In her novel Northanger Abbey, 18th-century author Jane Austen parodies the Gothic novels of her era. Read Northanger Abbey and identify the particular elements that Austen is satirizing.