Look at this picture and react. Imagine what is the link between this picture and the text.
This is a black and white picture, which reinforces the gloomy atmosphere. There is a figure standing in front of a tomb in a forest. We cannot see the person's face because the figure is wearing a long hooded cape. On the left we can see a ruined building. On the right we can see black crows flying away. Because they are black, they appear as an ominous sign / a bad omen. They foreshadow violent events.
The text may deal with a young woman s death. She may have been kidnapped and held hostage / prisoner in an isolated / deserted manor in the woods for a long time. She must have found herself at the mercy of a violent, dangerous man who finally killed her as she was trying to escape. The figure in the photo may be the young woman s lover / fiancé who, after investigating, finally found the place where she was buried. He may want to avenge her death.
1.Find the key information Say what you have understood from the text. Do the activities on the worksheet.
a. List all the characters present and mentioned in the passage. What are their relationship?
There are three characters present in the scene: The narrator whose name is Laura, her father and her father s oldest friend, the General (Spielsdorf). Other characters are mentioned such as the General s ward / adopted daughter who is dead, some mysterious people the General calls monsters and the General s wife who is descended from the Karnsteins.
b. Find all the words and phrases linked to emotions, way of speaking and way of looking, for each of the main character. Make a chart in your notebook.
c. What characteristics of the Gothic novel can you find here (location, atmosphere, characters)?
Many Gothic elements are mentioned in this text. Location: woods, the ruins of Karnstein, a ruined chapel, many tombs, the castle is a ruin, the very village is deserted, not a roof left, a castle, ruins or other scary setting Atmosphere: preternatural conspiracy, unearth some fine people, accomplish a pious sacrilege, strange things, accomplish a service to mankind before I die, subserve the vengeance of Heaven, extreme emotions, especially fear, an atmosphere of mystery and suspense
Characters: certain monsters, murderers, the fiends who have murdered my poor child, women in distress, or threatened by a powerful, impulsive, tyrannical male Omens, portents or visions An ancient prophecy Elements of romance, including powerful love, uncertain love, unreturned / unrequited love, rivals, separation and the threat of illicit love or lust
If you want to learn more about the elements of the Gothic novel read this online article: http://www.virtualsalt.com/gothic.htm
3. Solve the mystery a. What could have caused the death of the general child?
The General s child may have been killed by monsters. She might have been killed by people who wanted to inherit the General s money.
b. Why did the General plan to 'unearth' the people of Karnstein?
The General wanted to unearth the people of Karnstein because he believed they might have been the monsters that killed his daughter. He may have been convinced this would put an end to their reign of terror. The General wants to unearth the people of Karnstein because the monsters might live in the tombs of this cemetery. He may want to have some remains analysed / tested to have some family links established for example.
c. Why did Laura's father doubt the General's sanity?
He could have doubted the General s sanity because of his unnatural behaviour. Laura s father must have thought he sounded insane with all his talk about unearthing people. He may have wanted to help his old friend before he committed some regrettable act. He might have sounded really weird when he mentioned unearthing people. He may have looked too gloomy.
d. According to the General who are the 'fiends' that murdered his niece?
According to the General, they must have been the long dead members of the Karnstein family. They may have been preternatural plotters / conspirators. These fiends might have been undead creatures, like ghosts or vampires, who left their graves to kill his daughter in her sleep.