the mood or feeling of a piece of writing

giving the impression that something bad is about to happen

extremely pale, usually because of poor health

Analysing the atmosphere at Thornfield Hall in ‘Jane Eyre’

English

In 'A Monster Within', pupils explore extracts from Gothic fiction. In 'Gothic Poetry', pupils apply this learning to the poetry of Edgar Allan Poe.

In 'The Twisted Tree', pupils are introduced to the Gothic genre. In 'A Monster Within', pupils explore Gothic motifs in a range of more challenging texts.

In this unit, pupils explore the Gothic. They start by learning what the Gothic is, before reading extracts from 'Frankenstein' and 'Jane Eyre', practising descriptive writing and reading 'The Tell-Tale Heart'. They finally learn how to write opinion articles and then write their own.

A monster within: reading and writing Gothic fiction

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Who shows Jane around Thornfield Hall in 'Jane Eyre'?

She feels hugely uncomfortable on the third floor. 

She states that she would not like to spend a night on the third floor. 

She despises the decor because it is old and outdated.

She states that she would rather inhabit these rooms than her allocated bedroom.

How does Jane respond to the bedrooms on the third floor of Thornfield Hall in 'Jane Eyre'?

They are highly aggressive creatures so link to the theme of violence.

They are mysterious creatures that only come out at night.

They are black and we can associate the colour black with death and decay.

They are always found in graveyards, which links to death.

They are a symbol of supernatural occurrences.

Why might crows be considered Gothic creatures?

the perspective the narrative is told from

the feeling that a piece of writing gives you when you read it

Brontë creates a reassuring atmosphere because there are no ghosts.

Brontë characterises Mrs Fairfax as a superstitious character. 

Brontë plays on the reader's fears of the supernatural.

Brontë builds tension by creating an ominous atmosphere.

What is the effect of Jane asking Mrs Fairfax about ghosts at Thornfield Hall in 'Jane Eyre'? 

Brontë is building tension by showing nature as beautiful.

Brontë might be suggesting that evil resides within Thornfield. 

Brontë shows us the true beauty of nature versus the ugliness of Thornfield.

Brontë foreshadows that Thornfield might be a place of darkness. 

Brontë shows us that Jane prefers to be outside than inside. 

What is the effect of Brontë contrasting the appearance of "black" Thornfield with "pleasing" nature in 'Jane Eyre'?

Which three words best describe Jane in 'Jane Eyre'?

How would you describe Lowood Institution in 'Jane Eyre'?

We are told that the manor-house was "a building of considerable antiquity"...

Brontë tells us: "the manor-house was a building of considerable antiquity"...

"The manor-house was a building of considerable antiquity." Thus, we learn...

The "considerable antiquity" of the manor-house shows us...

Which answer option uses an embedded quotation? 

to terrify and frighten the reader as much as possible

to make the reader feel unsettled and uncomfortable

to make the reader feel comfortable and certain

Which of the following can be a common theme in Gothic literature? 

"dim light, distinguishable from the trees; so dank..and decaying"

"chests in oak or walnut, looking, with their strange carvings"

"unsatisfied hunger which gnawed me within"

"looking, as I thought, like a pale throne"

Match the quotation from 'Jane Eyre' up to the method it exemplifies. 

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Adult supervision recommended

Introduction

What will you need for this lesson?

Are you ready to learn?

Equipment

Content guidance

Supervision

Worksheet