Summary A‑Level English Literature Revision Guide

English Literature Paper 2:
Gothic Unseen and Dracula
and the Bloody Chamber
Revision Guide
By Nayim Mohammed




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,Contents
 Section A
Gothic Unseen [30 mark] (75 min – A02/75% + A01/12.5% +
A03/12.5%)


 Section B
Dracula and the Bloody Chamber Comparison Question [30 mark]
(75 min A03/50% + A04/25% + A01/12.5% + A05/12.5%)


23rd May 2019 Paper 1: Tempest, Duchess 1:30 – 4:00 pm
and Merchant
3rd June 2019 Paper 2: Gothic Unseen, 9:00 – 11:30 am
Dracula and TBC




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, Content Table
 Chapter 1: Gothic Unseen
1. Context.…………..………………………………………….……………..………..........Page 4-5
2. Conventions..……………………….……………………………..….......................Page 5-7
3. Extracts………..………………….…………………….…………..…………................Page 7-8
4. Example Answers.………………………..………………….…………….……………Page 8-11


 Chapter 2: Dracula
5. Summary………………..…………………………………………………………........Page 12-13
6. Themes……………………………..……………….…………..…………................Page 14-17
7. Context………………………………..…………………………..…………..............Page 17-19
8. Quotes…………………………………………………………………………..............Page 19-21
9. Critical Interpretations……………..……………………………………………….Page 21-22


 Chapter 3: The Bloody Chamber Stories
10. Summary……………………………………..……………………..………............Page 23-26
11. Context.……………..…………………………..………………………................Page 26-28
12. Themes…………..………………………………….…………………….…............Page 28-32
13. Quotes.……………………..……………….………………………….……............Page 32-34
14. Critical Interpretations………..……………………………………………………….Page 34


15. Comparisons……………………………………………………………………………Page 35-37




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, Chapter 1.1: Gothic Context
 The rise of Gothic
- Gothic seen as response to the enlightenment of the ‘Age of Reason’. The 17th-19th
century was characterised by reason, science, orderliness, simplicity and civilisation.
- The Gothic is thus seen as something disorderly, chaotic, barbaric, convolution, wild and
uncivilised. It would be valid to suggest the Gothic is a perversion of the ‘Age of Reason’.
 Early reception
- The mid-18th century (1764), saw first Gothic book released with Horace Walpole’s
‘Castle of Otranto’. Why was it so popular? 1) Because it was titillating1 2) it explores
taboos and unspoken themes safely 3) contains a ‘shock factor’, but remains entertaining
4) critiques society.
- Gothic was very unpopular with critics in the 18th century; 1) William Wordsworth found
gothic excessive, grotesque, uncivilised and unthoughtful. 2) Some said it lacked cogent
morality or morale depth. 3) David Punter, however, said Gothic IS helpful as it links social
and political problems, although in a distorted manner (i.e. Dracula). 4) Jeffrey Richards
said it reflects anxieties of the day “plugged into our main currents of anxiety… of their
day”. 5) Max Nordau pointed out the problem of Degeneration (1896) which was the fear
of ‘devolving’ back from humans to animals (the fear of returning to animalistic roots).
- Gothic stories are in no way escapes from the real, but rather deconstructions of the
political and social realities of the times in which they were written.
 Historical Context (Waves)
First wave or Classic Gothic: (mid 1700s-1800s)
- Often set abroad
- Medieval settings; often involving a castle/labyrinth interior
- Characters are often exotic, foreign or unfamiliar, including sinister churchmen,
bandit aristocrats etc.
Second wave or Victorian Gothic: (mid 1820s-1900s)
- Shift from Classic Gothic from bad things happening abroad, to becoming domestic,
localised and more familiar – where WE as the audience are. Called domestication
of Gothic.
- Domestication of Gothic figures, from foreigners/unfamiliar to characters that live
amongst us.
Third wave or Contemporary: (mid 1920s-Present)




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Titillating: arousing mild sexual excitement or interest

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