Symbolism in Gothic Literature (Analysis and Descriptive Writing)

A whole lesson and worksheet (suitable for KS3 and KS4) which encourages students to consider how an author can use symbolism in Gothic Fiction.

1. Students are first given a definition of symbolism and are asked to consider a variety of symbols and what they represent.

2. Students read a short extract. Using the sentence starters provided, they then make inferences based on the imagery of a ticking clock, a hospital bed, and a woman’s hand compared to ‘pale marble’ to explore how it could symbolise illness or death.

3. In pairs students complete the worksheet and consider what certain Gothic features could represent. They then come up with two of their own and share with the rest of the class.

4. Finally, students are given a choice of two images. They must write a piece of descriptive writing based on the image of their choice and must try to include symbolism.

This could also work as a Halloween themed lesson or as part of a Creative Writing scheme of work. I often taught this lesson together with my Gothic Horror writing lesson available here:
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/gothic-horror-creative-writing-lesson-11235636