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Year 8

Using ‘Jane Eyre’ to inspire our use of gothic vocabulary

I can use new vocabulary accurately and creatively in gothic writing to create a desired effect.

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New
New
Year 8

Using ‘Jane Eyre’ to inspire our use of gothic vocabulary

I can use new vocabulary accurately and creatively in gothic writing to create a desired effect.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. It can be useful to take vocabulary from texts you have read to use in your own work.
  2. Selecting the right vocabulary when trying to create atmosphere is really important - every word counts.
  3. Use new vocabulary because it is the most specific word and not just because you think it sounds fancy.
  4. All of the words in a description must ‘fit’ with the atmosphere or impression you are trying to create.

Common misconception

Students often make the mistake of using a new word they have just learned inaccurately, in an attempt to show off their knowledge.

The point of learning new vocabulary is to give students options and choices so that they can select the most specific and useful word in their writing. Sometimes, the most specific word choice isn't the new vocabulary.

Keywords

  • Antiquity - relating to the past/ age

  • Insalubrious - run-down

  • Dank - unpleasantly-damp and cold

  • Desolate - isolated/remote

  • Enclosed - surrounded on all sides

For each of the new words students learn in learning cycle 1, it might be nice to take each one and write synonyms for them, so that students' understanding of the word is better. Alternatively, students could experiment with using each one in a sentence, once they have completed task A.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need access to a copy of the extract taken from Chapter 37 of ‘Jane Eyre’. It's available in the additional materials.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following characteristics would we expect to see in a Gothic setting?
light
modern
Correct answer: old
Correct answer: dark
colourful
Q2.
What do we associate with the moon that would make a description of the it useful in Gothic writing?
guidance
Correct answer: supernatural occurrences
beauty
Correct answer: mystery
hope
Q3.
Which of the following is an example of a semantic field you might find in Gothic literature?
red, green, blue, orange, yellow
Mr, Mrs, Sir, Madam, Miss
Correct answer: old, dark, dank, decaying, desolate
unloved, unhappy, uncared for, unbelievable
Q4.
Which word has the most negative connotations?
empty
left
deserted
Correct answer: abandoned
Q5.
Which of the following words might you use to describe a Gothic setting?
humming
Correct answer: dank
comforting
shimmering
enchanted
Q6.
Read this description: "so dank and green were its decaying walls". What impression do you get of this setting?
It is modest and comfortable.
Correct answer: It is abandoned and neglected.
It is frightful and terrifying.
It is grand and ornate.
It is homely and cosy.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these is a synonym for 'desolate'?
colourful
Correct answer: remote
heartbroken
Correct answer: isolated
miserable
Q2.
What do we learn about the setting in 'Jane Eyre' from this quotation: "I found myself at once in the twilight of close-ranked trees"?
It is light and airy because the light can filter through the trees.
Correct answer: The setting feels claustrophobic because the trees are "close-ranked".
Correct answer: It is very dark because the trees grow close together and block out the light.
The setting feels comforting and safe because Jane feels surrounded by tree.
Q3.
Which words would characterise a setting as claustrophobic and trapping?
Correct answer: enclosed
spacious
Correct answer: latticed
Correct answer: narrow
broad
Q4.
What is the weather like when Jane arrives at Ferndean in chapter 37 of 'Jane Eyre'?
snowing and icy underfoot
thunder and lightning
Correct answer: windy and raining
calm without wind
sunshine and a warm breeze
Q5.
Match the vocabulary to its correct definition.
Correct Answer:knotted,tangled

tangled

Correct Answer:dank,damp and cold

damp and cold

Correct Answer:enclosed,surrounded on all sides

surrounded on all sides

Correct Answer:dense,thick and heavy

thick and heavy

Correct Answer:antiquity,relating to the past/ age

relating to the past/ age

Q6.
What is the effect of Bronte's use of the word "insalubrious" in the following quotation from 'Jane Eyre': "[Ferndean's] ineligible and insalubrious site"?
It shows us how homely and comforting the manor-house is.
Correct answer: It shows us how run-down the building is, thereby giving it a Gothic appearance.
It illustrates the vast and spacious nature of the house.
Correct answer: It reflects Rochester, who is uncared for in this moment.
It reflects Jane's optimism as she prepares to reunite with Rochester.

Additional material

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