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"The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman (Stetson) is a semi-autobiographical story that gives an account of a woman's mental decline when she is prescribed the "rest-cure". It is told in the first person point of view, focusing primarily on the main character’s thoughts and feelings, in the form of journal or diary entries.

Gothic Connections:

Setting/Atmosphere: This story is set at a large home that is located three miles from the nearest town. The setting contributes to the story's overall unsettling and confining atmosphere, due to the narrator's doctor-ordered at-home imprisonment.

Theme of Isolation: One of the key elements of Gothic literature is the theme of isolation and confinement. In "The Yellow Wallpaper," the narrator is confined to a room by her husband John, as part of her "rest cure." The isolation within the room becomes increasingly unbearable, contributing to the narrator's deteriorating mental state.

Supernatural Elements: While "The Yellow Wallpaper" doesn't contain traditional supernatural elements, the wallpaper itself takes on an eerie and almost supernatural quality. The narrator becomes obsessed with the wallpaper, believing it contains a trapped woman who is trying to escape. This obsession contributes to the story's gothic atmosphere.

Mental Decline/ Madness: The narrator's mental deterioration is the main focus of this short story. The main character/ unnamed narrator becomes increasingly fixated with the wallpaper in her room and this leads her to believe she sees a woman trapped behind it. As the story starts to wrap up the narrator’s visions of the woman become more pronounced and she even believes the woman gets out during the daytime, and she can see her out of her windows. The gradual mental breakdown comes to its peak when the narrator attempts to help the woman out of the paper.

Symbolism and Imagery: Gothic literature often employs symbolism and vivid imagery. The yellow wallpaper itself serves as a powerful symbol in the story. Its chaotic and disturbing pattern mirrors the narrator's deteriorating mental state, and the trapped woman within becomes a symbol of the narrator's own sense of entrapment. "The Yellow Wallpaper" may not fit all the traditional tropes of Gothic literature, but its exploration of psychological horror, confinement, and the subjugation of women aligns with many themes found in the Gothic tradition. The story remains a powerful and thought-provoking work that continues to be studied for its psychological and feminist themes.

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Edith Wharton's "All Souls" shares a woman's account of a supernatural 36-hour experience she had, and it is narrated by her cousin to whom she recounted the story.

Gothic Elements:

Setting: Although the house the story is set at is described as modernized, "open, and airy"(Wharton 276); it's located remotely in Connecticut. It is also snowing, which adds to the cold/ lonely theme.

Frame Narrative: A frame narrative is commonly seen in ghost stories. It is when there is a story within a story, it is used to delay heightened suspense and make the story more believable. In the case of "All Souls" we are reading Sara Clayburn's 36-hour traumatic experience from her cousin.

Motifs: Some motifs I can identify from this story are silence, cold, and loneliness. Due to an unknown reason, Sara Clayburn's housekeepers are nowhere to be found, she is injured and bedridden. The silence in the 36 hours she is left alone is described as "hostile" and "empty". The narrator

Gothic Heroine: Sara Clayburn's character could be considered a Gothic Heroine, due to her injury she is vulnerable, Sara is also curious/ investigative when she realizes her servants go missing unexpectedly.

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Tananarive Due's "Ghost Summer" is a collection of short stories that often explores themes of horror, fantasy, and the supernatural within the context of African-American experiences. Due's story aligns with the Southern Gothic genre of literature.

Gothic Elements:

Supernatural:

Many Gothic works feature supernatural or fantastical elements, and "Ghost Summer" is no exception. Due incorporates ghosts, spirits, and otherworldly occurrences in her stories, contributing to a sense of the mysterious and the uncanny.

Dark and Eerie Atmosphere:

The Gothic tradition often relies on creating a dark and eerie atmosphere to evoke a sense of unease or fear. Due's stories, with their supernatural occurrences and exploration of the unknown, establish a mood that aligns with the atmospheric qualities found in Gothic literature.

Setting:

The idea of haunted spaces is a common element in Gothic literature. While Due's stories may not always feature traditional haunted houses, they do explore the idea of places marked by a haunting presence, whether it be a physical location or a metaphorical haunting tied to historical or cultural elements.

Theme of Death and the Afterlife:

Many Gothic stories delve into themes of loss, grief, and the lingering impact of the past. "Ghost Summer" often explores the emotional weight of history, both personal and collective, and the ways in which the past continues to influence the present.

Mystery and Suspense:

Gothic literature frequently involves elements of mystery and suspense, keeping the reader engaged through a sense of anticipation and uncertainty. Due's stories, with their supernatural elements and unexpected twists, share this characteristic with the Gothic tradition.

While "Ghost Summer" may not fit neatly into the traditional Gothic mold, it does incorporate Gothic elements and themes, creating a unique blend that reflects Due's exploration of horror within the context of African American experiences.

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Shirley Jackson's "The Lovely House" was first published in 1950, then in 1952 it had the title "A Visit". The story follows Margaret who is visiting her friend Carla for the summer, but takes a dark turn when imprisonment, blurring the lines between reality/unreality, and the afterlife, becomes apparent.

Gothic Connections:

Setting: This story is set at Carla's Family's massive lavishly decorated home. The mico setting includes an abundance of tapestry and a room that frightened Margaret because it was difficult to discern what was real from what was not. It is even mentioned that a week goes by without Margaret viewing the entire house alluding to the house being a mansion which we commonly see in Gothic literature. For the macro setting, the house is surrounded by a river contributing to the secluded atmosphere. It also has an old and decaying tower which is considered Gothic architecture.

Ambiguity: The unknown duration of her stay and the unexplained odd interactions Margaret has during her stay add to the psychological ambiguity and disorienting feeling. This element shows the reader that some things may not be as they appear to be.

Gothic Heroine: Margaret can be considered a Gothic Heroine, being put into an environment where she feels out of place. She is young, curious, investigative, naive, and shy, all qualities we see frequently in this Gothic element.

Twist Narrative/ Supernatural: Throughout this story, the reader is made to believe that Paul is Carla's brother, but in the end, it is made clear that he was most likely a ghost. And the multiple Margarets that were mentioned are meant to be all the same person.

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Connections between The Yellow Wallpaper & A Visit

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Connections between The Yellow Wallpaper & A Visit

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"The Yellow Wallpaper" and "A Visit" are similar in that they both give readers an uneasy feeling, are ambiguous, and have themes of isolation. The unnamed narrator's mental deterioration due to her imprisonment and fixation on the wallpaper in her bedroom creates a disturbing feeling for the reader. "The color is hideous enough, and unreliable enough, and infuriating enough, but the pattern is torturing" (Gilman- Stetson 653). In "A Visit" Margaret is unsure of how long she will be staying at this house and Carla seems to be confused by Margaret's actions, "(and Paul; who was Paul?)" (Jackson 124), which creates a sense of ambiguity.

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Connections between All Souls & Ghost Summer

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Connections between All Souls & Ghost Summer

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"All Souls" and "Ghost Summer" are two very different stories in terms of their plots, but they are alike in that they both explore supernatural elements. In "Ghost Summer" the ghosts Davie and his family encounter make up the supernatural element: "It was only him. But his mouth was doing all the work, because Davie's mind was frozen shut. Sure, he'd seen a salt shaker fall, and he'd seen water dripping backward and a mirror suddenly askew, but he'd never felt a ghost touch him before" (Due 74). And in Wharton's story "All Souls", there is mention of "ghostly presences" and "covens". "My cousin's maid, Agnes, was from the Isle of Skye, and the Hebrides, as everyone knows, are full of the supernatural -- whether in the shape of ghostly presences, or the almost ghostlier sense of unseen watchers peopling the long nights of those stormy solitudes" (Wharton 299).

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"The Lighthouse" is a psychological horror film directed by Robert Eggers, released in 2019. The movie is known for its atmospheric intensity, psychological tension, and surreal elements.

Gothic Connections:

Isolation and Madness:Gothic literature often explores themes of isolation and madness, and "The Lighthouse" is no exception. The film follows two lighthouse keepers, played by Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson, who become increasingly isolated on a desolate island. The isolation contributes to their descent into madness, a common trope in Gothic stories.

Supernatural Elements:The film incorporates supernatural and surreal elements, including mysterious and unexplained occurrences. The presence of mermaids, seagulls with a sinister presence, and the enigmatic light in the lighthouse adds a supernatural layer reminiscent of Gothic tales where the boundaries between reality and the supernatural are blurred.

Symbolism:Gothic literature often relies on symbolism to convey deeper meanings. In "The Lighthouse," symbolism is pervasive, particularly in the imagery associated with the lighthouse itself. The light is a powerful symbol, representing knowledge, enlightenment, and the search for truth. This symbolism is characteristic of Gothic literature, where objects and settings are imbued with symbolic significance.

Gothic Architecture:The lighthouse itself, with its towering and imposing structure, can be seen as a form of Gothic architecture. Gothic architecture often features grand, elaborate, and sometimes ominous structures, and the lighthouse in the film contributes to the eerie atmosphere.

Duality and Fragmented Identity: Gothic literature frequently explores themes of duality and fragmented identity. In "The Lighthouse," the characters grapple with their own identities and realities. The line between the two men becomes increasingly blurred, leading to a sense of uncertainty and psychological unease.

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Connections between The Yellow Wallpaper & The Lighthouse

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Connections between The Yellow Wallpaper & The Lighthouse

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Charlotte Perkins Gilman(Stetson)'s short story "The Yellow Wallpaper" and The "Lighthouse" a film by Robert Eggers are both characterized by themes of isolation and gradual descents into madness. In both of these works the main character(s) are driven to become mad due to their isolation from reality and obsession with inanimate objects. Both works delve into the unconscious mind of the protagonists. In "The Lighthouse," the psychological unraveling of the characters is depicted through surreal and nightmarish sequences. In "The Yellow Wallpaper," the narrator's mental decline is reflected in her hallucinations and fixation on the wallpaper, which she believes contains a hidden reality. Light plays a significant symbolic role in both works. In "The Lighthouse," the light in the lighthouse becomes a symbol of obsession, enlightenment, and the unknown. In "The Yellow Wallpaper," the changing patterns of light and shadow in the room, symbolize her mental state and the hidden truths she is uncovering. "At night in any kind of light, in twilight, candlelight, lamplight, and worst of all by moonlight, it becomes bars! The outside pattern I mean, and the woman

behind it is as plain as can be"(Gilman-Stetson 653). Both works have unreliable narrators, which contributes to the suspenseful/ ambiguous atmosphere.

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Flannery O'Connor's short story "Good Country People" was published 1955 in a collection titled "A Good Man Is Hard to Find". This story is told in the third person point of view and is about a stranger who intrudes upon a family. And is an example of Southern Gothic literature.

Gothic Connections:

Isolation and Decay: Southern Gothic frequently explores themes of isolation and decay, both of individuals and their surroundings. Joy/Hulga is emotionally isolated, living with her overbearing mother on a run-down farm. The decaying farm symbolizes the moral and spiritual decay present in the characters' lives.

Religion and Morality: Manley Pointer deceptively used religious language to manipulate Joy and Mrs. Hopewell. It is also revealed that Hulga considers herself an atheist.

Hidden Truths: Southern Gothic frequently involves violent or shocking events. In "Good Country People," there is a moment of betrayal and violence when Manley Pointer steals Joy's wooden leg. This event is emotionally jarring and adds a layer of horror to the story.

Symbolism: The characters' names, such as Joy and Mrs. Hopewell, are ironic given the bleakness of their lives. The story also delves into themes of hypocrisy, particularly in Manley Pointer's deceptive use of religious language to manipulate Joy. Hulga's artificial leg represents her independence, while her name change from Joy to Hulga symbolizes her grasping for control in her life.

Fate and Divine Intervention: Many Southern Gothic works involve elements of fate or divine intervention. In "Good Country People," the unexpected arrival of Manley Pointer and the subsequent events are portrayed as a twist of fate that challenges Joy/Hulga's worldview and self-perception.

O'Connor's use of irony, dark humor, and a sense of the uncanny contributes to the overall Southern Gothic atmosphere of the story.

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"Get Out" is a 2017 horror film directed by Jordan Peele. This film follows the protagonist, Chris, as he is visiting his girlfriend's family in their secluded home upstate. At first, Chris views the family's behavior towards him as normal, but as the story progresses it becomes evident the family has dark secrets. Some movies that influenced this film are "Rosemary's Baby" and "The Shining".

Gothic Elements:

Isolation: This genre often explores themes of isolation and entrapment. In "Get Out," the protagonist, Chris, finds himself isolated at his girlfriend's predominantly white home, his isolation is heightened as the plot unfolds and reveals the true intentions of the family.

Hidden Truth: Gothic stories frequently involve secrets and hidden agendas. In "Get Out," the seemingly progressive and welcoming community conceals a dark secret related to the exploitation of black bodies for the benefit of white individuals. The secretive nature of the community's activities contributes to the film's sense of suspense and horror.

Supernatural: Rose's parents both add to the supernatural element of this film with their professions/skills. The mother can hypnotize young black people, and take control of their brains, putting them in the "sunken place". While the father and brother perform brain replacement surgeries to give white people the bodies of young black people.

Gothic Heroine: Chris would be considered a gothic heroine being somewhere he feels out of place, having lost his mother at a young age and his father being "out of the picture". He even mentions to his girlfriend Rose that she is "all he has", meaning like a gothic heroine often is, he is vulnerable.

Symbolism: The dead deer/ "black buck" that is seen in this film multiple times is meant to symbolize black men, and represent how they are perceived to "ruin neighborhoods".

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Connections Between All Souls & Good Country People

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Connections Between All Souls & Good Country People

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"All Souls" by Edith Wharton and Flannery O'Connor's "Good Country People", may seem completely different but both stories include hidden truths, loss of independence, and a stranger who intrudes. "Without the leg she felt entirely dependent on him" (O'Connor 15). When Manley Pointer the "Bible Salesman" steals her artificial leg, Hulga loses her independence, she cannot get away. Manley's actions reveal his hidden truth, "One time I got a woman's glass eye this way. And you needn't to think you'll catch me because Pointer ain't really my name. I use a different name at every house..." (O'Connor 16). This is similar to when Sara Clayburn breaks her ankle and becomes very dependent on her house servants who unexpectedly go missing for 36 hours. By the end of "All Souls" we are left to believe Sara's servants were summoned to "a midnight "Coven" in some neighboring solitude" (Wharton 300). Also both works include a character who intrudes into the main character's life, in "All Souls" this character is the woman stranger who Clayburn encounters. "If the scene had not been so lonley --the way to Whitegates at the end of an autumn day was not a frequented one -- Mrs. Clayburn might not have paid any attention to the woman, for she was in no way noticeable; But when she caught up with the intruder my cousin was surprised to find she was a stranger..." (Wharton 278). And for "Good Country People" the intruder is Manley Pointer's character, who in a calculated manner deceived Hulga and Mrs. Hopewell.

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Connections Between Ghost Summer & Get Out

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Connections Between Ghost Summer & Get Out

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There are a few gothic connections between Jordan Peele's film "Get Out" and Tananarive Due's short story "Ghost Summer", including the supernatural elements, racism and death/ afterlife. "But Davie couldn't stop his legs in time. Suddenly, there was no ground beneath Davie's feet. His feet plunged downward to nothingness, like stepping off of a sand bar at the beach. He was drowning in soft earth. Mud." (Due 113). This part of "Ghost Summer" in particular is very similar to when Rose's mother hypnotizes Chris into the "sunken place", which is meant to be a metaphor for the history of slavery, and the system constantly silences black people. Another connection between these works was their use of the supernatural element, in "Get Out" it's the brain swap surgeries and hypnosis. While in "Ghost Summer" the supernatural element is the presence of ghostly figures.

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Connections Between "The Yellow Wallpaper" & "All Souls"

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Connections Between "The Yellow Wallpaper" & "All Souls"

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Although the main character of "All Souls "does not experience a mental decline like the main character of "The Yellow Wallpaper", I did see some similarities between the two short stories. Both depicted how haunting and isolating it can feel to be left completely alone. Even though the woman in "The Yellow Wallpaper" is showing signs of having some underlying mental health issues, she is not believed and is made to look crazy when she expresses her concerns with the wallpaper. Similarly when Sara Clayburn wakes up after the strange events that occurred for 36 hours and tries to explain what she went through everyone seems to laugh it off and tell her that it must've been her feverish mind from the injury that caused her delusions.