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(2016
midterm assignment) Sample Student Midterm Answers 2016 #3: Web Highlights |
LITR 4328 |
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Laura E Wilson
Gothic Connections
It wasn’t difficult for me to choose which works to review as I felt an
immediate rapport with the three I found. We all recognized a connection between
Gothic literature of the American Romantic period, and things we enjoy today.
Drawing the correlation between literature of the past, and how it continues to
influence methods and content of today, is one of the most fascinating things
I’m learning in this class, and I got the same impression from the three student
writings I chose to review.
In her midterm essay “American Romantic Literature: Not The Lovey Dovey Mush You
Might Expect” (2015), Karin Cooper
explores several themes common of the American Romantic period, but I found her
analysis of the relationship between nature and the Gothic most interesting.
I’ll admit, from the title I wasn’t expecting to find much to identify with in
this essay, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I related to the author’s
points of view, and the quality of analysis. There are some excellent examples
used from The Last of the Mohicans, and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
She states, “This is a literary tool that is still very in use today for
example in the popular Harry Potter book series nature is used often in
the Gothic form” (Cooper, 2015). Perhaps it’s because I’m currently reading
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, but this modern example struck a chord
with me. Once I read her statement, I became very aware of how astute an
observation it was. Throughout the Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling
consistently uses settings in nature to create an atmosphere of darkness and
dread, from the forbidden forest, to the murky lake that holds all manner of
hostile creatures. Cooper’s observations are an excellent reminder of how
prevalent the themes explored in the American Romantic period have become in
modern stories.
While the previous essay was surprisingly relatable after I read it, the
opposite is true of Meagan Hamlin’s short essay, “Part 2: Ligeia”. She had my
attention from the first paragraph thanks to the comparison of Ligeia to
Withering Heights. I was interested to see someone else’s observations
regarding the work of a Bronte, as I had drawn some myself to the work of the
other Bronte sister. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte is my favorite novel,
and I was struck by the similarities between young Jane and Gerty in Susanna
Cummins’ story The Lamplighter. I was intrigued to read Hamlin’s
analysis, particularly the correlation between Ligeia and Heathcliff both being
“dark characters who seemingly came from nowhere” (Hamlin, 2010). Hamlin makes
very interesting points, but I think the analysis could have been taken further
by suggesting Heathcliff not only embodies the Byronic hero archetype of Gothic
literature, but also the “dark lady”. Overall I enjoyed the language and
examples used, and I appreciated an opportunity to think further on the
comparison of Gothic literature in the American Romantic period to that of the
British Romantic.
The favorite essay I read though was without a doubt “The Gothic and American
Horror” by Cyndi Perkins (2015). This was the most enjoyable to read, as well as
the one I learned the most from. The depth of analysis, and language in this
essay are extraordinary. Perkins not only dissects the Gothic themes, she delves
into the psychological reasons people found them so enthralling. In paragraph 4
she discusses the cathartic elements of vicariously working out their own fears
and dark passions. She likens early Americans feeling reassured of their own
dominance while reading The Last of the Mohicans, to modern audiences
watching the horror movie Poltergeist, and relishing seeing society
punished for the same crimes. I appreciate any opportunity to look at a subject
in another light, and by thinking of the psychological reasons behind enjoyment
of Gothic literature, I think there is wealth of knowledge to be gleaned.
The chance to read the work of other students was incredibly valuable for me.
There is only so much a person can say in class discussions, and everyone has
their own unique viewpoints and experiences they will tie a particular piece of
literature to. Being able to read through those viewpoints opens and expands the
mind to previously unthought of possibilities, which can be applied to new
works. When I signed up for this
class, I thought I had an understanding of Gothic literature, but I quickly
discovered what I knew was the proverbial tip of the iceberg, and reading
through the midterms from previous years, I also discovered I was not alone.
