Starter quiz
- Which of the following characteristics would we expect to see in a Gothic setting?
- light
- modern
- old ✓
- dark ✓
- colourful
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- What do we associate with the moon that would make a description of the it useful in Gothic writing?
- guidance
- supernatural occurrences ✓
- beauty
- mystery ✓
- hope
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- Which of the following is an example of a semantic field you might find in Gothic literature?
- red, green, blue, orange, yellow
- Mr, Mrs, Sir, Madam, Miss
- old, dark, dank, decaying, desolate ✓
- unloved, unhappy, uncared for, unbelievable
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- Which word has the most negative connotations?
- empty
- left
- deserted
- abandoned ✓
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- Which of the following words might you use to describe a Gothic setting?
- humming
- dank ✓
- comforting
- shimmering
- enchanted
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- Read this description: "so dank and green were its decaying walls". What impression do you get of this setting?
- It is modest and comfortable.
- It is abandoned and neglected. ✓
- It is frightful and terrifying.
- It is grand and ornate.
- It is homely and cosy.
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Exit quiz
- Which of these is a synonym for 'desolate'?
- colourful
- remote ✓
- heartbroken
- isolated ✓
- miserable
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- What do we learn about the setting in 'Jane Eyre' from this quotation: "I found myself at once in the twilight of close-ranked trees"?
- It is light and airy because the light can filter through the trees.
- The setting feels claustrophobic because the trees are "close-ranked". ✓
- It is very dark because the trees grow close together and block out the light. ✓
- The setting feels comforting and safe because Jane feels surrounded by tree.
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- Which words would characterise a setting as claustrophobic and trapping?
- enclosed ✓
- spacious
- latticed ✓
- narrow ✓
- broad
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- What is the weather like when Jane arrives at Ferndean in chapter 37 of 'Jane Eyre'?
- snowing and icy underfoot
- thunder and lightning
- windy and raining ✓
- calm without wind
- sunshine and a warm breeze
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- Match the vocabulary to its correct definition.
- knotted⇔tangled ✓
- dank⇔damp and cold ✓
- enclosed⇔surrounded on all sides ✓
- dense⇔thick and heavy ✓
- antiquity⇔relating to the past/ age ✓
- What is the effect of Bronte's use of the word "insalubrious" in the following quotation from 'Jane Eyre': "[Ferndean's] ineligible and insalubrious site"?
- It shows us how homely and comforting the manor-house is.
- It shows us how run-down the building is, thereby giving it a Gothic appearance. ✓
- It illustrates the vast and spacious nature of the house.
- It reflects Rochester, who is uncared for in this moment. ✓
- It reflects Jane's optimism as she prepares to reunite with Rochester.
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Worksheet
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Presentation
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- It can be useful to take vocabulary from texts you have read to use in your own work.
- Selecting the right vocabulary when trying to create atmosphere is really important - every word counts.
- Use new vocabulary because it is the most specific word and not just because you think it sounds fancy.
- All of the words in a description must ‘fit’ with the atmosphere or impression you are trying to create.
Common misconception
Students often make the mistake of using a new word they have just learned inaccurately, in an attempt to show off their knowledge.
The point of learning new vocabulary is to give students options and choices so that they can select the most specific and useful word in their writing. Sometimes, the most specific word choice isn't the new vocabulary.
Keywords
Antiquity - relating to the past/ age
Insalubrious - run-down
Dank - unpleasantly-damp and cold
Desolate - isolated/remote
Enclosed - surrounded on all sides
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