Elements

Of the three elements, atmosphere, action, and supernatural, I think that atmosphere is the most effective element in gothic literature. I believe that atmosphere is the most effective element because the atmosphere of a certain scene or novel is what sets the tone of the story and it controls what emotions the reader may feel while reading. In gothic literature, the authors may want the reader to feel suspense and terror and the easiest and most effective way to accomplish this is by giving the tone and the setting, or atmosphere, that eerie feeling. For example, in the second volume and second chapter of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, the monster approaches Victor and asks him to listen to his story. The words and actions are not what makes the readers feel suspense as they are reading, it is the atmosphere of the dark, foggy, secluded mountain that gives the readers that eerie feeling and it makes them want to continue reading to find out what will happen next. Another example from Frankenstein where the atmosphere is the most effective element is when Victor brings the monster to life. The actions and supernatural events in that scene may give a vague feeling of suspense, however it is the atmosphere and the setting that gives the readers the absolute feelings of excitement and anticipation as Shelley describes the dark, dreary night. These are the reasons why I believe that atmosphere is the most effective element in gothic literature.

Frankenstein

      Mary Shelley's opening to Frankenstien had contained four letters written by Robert Walton to his sister, Margaret Sauville. In his letters to his sister, Robert Walton had been going on a voyage to the Arctic Circle to find magnetism, and he was informing his sister about how along his journey he encountered a man on the ice. He then begins to describe the man and his interests in him. As the story progresses he tells about how the stranger is going to tell him about his journey through life, which Mary Shelley then begins to write about in Chapter one. Mary Shelley had used the letters as a prologue to introduce the stranger and she then went on to tell the story from his perspective throughout the Chapters, as if the stranger were retelling it to Walton. If I had to write a ghost story I would begin it by writing an excerpt from one of the scenes that will be encountered later on in the story. I would then end the excerpt and by doing this, I would have gave the readers a sneak peak as to what will happen in the story which would make them want to continue reading. This would create a mysterious feeling and it would make the story more interesting.

                   

Trust: Superhero Edition

     If I were a superhero I would only let a select  few, trustworthy people know of my identity. I would only tell my closest family members because I know they would not tell my secret to anyone and they would not try to use it against me. I probably would not tell anyone else because they could try to hold it against me as blackmail or certain people would all of a sudden try to become my "best friend" and get close to me. I might tell another individual outside of my family if they were completely trustworthy and if there was not a single doubt in my mind that they were real and true. Other people outside of my family would have to prove that they are worthy of knowing because in life you can not just trust anyone since many people can turn against you and just give your secrets away. When it comes to family, they would never tell your secrets because even if there is some type of argument, they would always have your back at the end of the day. As they say, " Blood runs deeper than water."