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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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".