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When you think of the Gothic, you probably do not automatically think of Ireland, but in fact, the Gothic — a cultural form that includes novels, films, art and even computer games — owes a great deal to Irish writers more than 250 years ago.
In this resource, you will explore examples of the Irish Gothic from the eighteenth century to the present day and examine the influences that shaped them. Along the way you will get the opportunity to see how Irish writers have created ghostly effects in their work and even get a chance to have a go yourself at creating creepy characters and sinister settings.
About the collection
The Irish Gothic collection is made up of two parts. Each of them lets you study and explore different themes.
Part 1: Spectres, Monsters, Fairies and Vampires: An introduction to the Irish Gothic
This part will help you learn more about the history of the Gothic, and introduce key features of Gothic storytelling. In Part 1, you will
- Discover the basic characteristics of the Gothic in literature
- Practice identifying gothic tropes in works of art
- Learn about the uncanny, a common Gothic term
- Trace influences on the Irish Gothic in the 18th and 19th centuries
- Find Gothic features and inspirations in story arcs of folk tales
- Learn about Carmilla, one of the key Irish Gothic texts
- Try your hand at a creative writing task, describing a doppelganger
Part 2: The Irish Gothic in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries
The second part of our resource looks at Irish Gothic in modern works of art. It will help you see how Gothic themes work in modern stories, plays and films. In Part 2, you will
- Look for the uncanny in domestic settings of literary works
- Find out about historical and everyday inspirations for Irish Gothic writers
- Explore how setting and atmosphere work in Elizabeth Bowen's ghost story, "The Demon Lover"
- Think about ghost storytelling in theatre, with Conor McPherson's The Weir as an example
- See how modern-day Irish short story authors use everyday experiences to convey Gothic themes
- Engage in creative writing activities, by creating a description of a place and your own Gothic story
Explore the Irish Gothic collection
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Spectres, Monsters, Fairies and Vampires: An introduction to the Irish Gothic
Read now to access more details of Spectres, Monsters, Fairies and Vampires: An introduction to the Irish GothicWhat are the defining features of Irish Gothic - and how can you use them in your creative writing?
Level: 1 Introductory
-
The Irish Gothic in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries
Read now to access more details of The Irish Gothic in the twentieth and twenty-first centuriesHow does the tradition of Irish Gothic unfold in creative writing in the twentieth century - and beyond?
Level: 1 Introductory
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