Ann Radcliffe was one of the most popular novelists of the eighteenth century and she has long been associated with making the Gothic novel respectable. In our session, we will explore tropes such as the helpless orphan girl, wicked lords and things that go bump in the night, which may or may not be all that they seem. Following our heroine Emily on her journey, we will learn about the difference between terror and horror and ideas of the sublime. We will also examine why young women were so attracted to the genre and the promises of freedom and adventure they offered.
Course aim
The session examines the Gothic genre that became popular in the eighteenth century. Concentrating on Ann Radcliffe's The Mysteries of Udolpho, we will examine the reasons why such novels became so popular with young women.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- You will need your own personal email address so that you’re able to login to the WEA’s digital learning platform: WEA Canvas. You will need to be able to understand how to follow URL links to pages on the internet. If you want to understand more about Canvas please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- You will need to be able to follow links to join our WEA live video learning platform: WEA Zoom. If you’d like to understand more about our video learning platform, Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline and http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- This is a live lecture delivered by a subject specialist in an online webinar video learning platform. You will need to be able to access the internet on a device with speakers or earphones. There will be opportunities to take part in discussions and chats. If you’d like to know how to use Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- No skills or experience needed
- This course is suitable for beginners and improvers
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- Confidently discuss the difference between terror and horror.
- Confidently discuss the tropes of Gothic literature.
- Confidently discuss ideas of the sublime.
How will I be taught?
- The WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas will be used to provide resources or to support lessons, enable assessment, provide learner feedback and for other activities for individuals away from the course. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- It may help your understanding if you read the novel before the session.
What kind of feedback can I expect?
- There will be an opportunity for questions
What else do I need to know?
- What you need: You will need an internet connection, speakers, a microphone and a webcam so that you can use our video learning platform, Zoom. If you’d like to understand more Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- You will need a personal email address to join the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas so that you can receive resources, record your progress and achievement and to work with others and share ideas. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- It would be helpful if you had access to the internet (Mobile phone, tablet or computer at home or through a library etc.)
Pre-course work, reading and information sources
- It is not compulsory, but it may help you in your understanding if you read the novel and read the Canvas resources before the session.
What can I do next?
- Progress to another WEA course
- Progress to a course with another provider
Download full course information sheet
