Further Activities to Work on Gothic Literature

(To do after reading "The Painting of Anningley Hall" by M. R. James)

1. (To integrate ICT to the lesson of English)
Create a Facebook profile for one of the characters in the story.
You may use the following questions as a guide for you to know how to complete the different sections in the profile.

- Who are his friends?
- Who would appear in the “People you may know” section?
- Complete the profile with information about their marital status, education, activities and interests.
- What music would you add to their profile?
- Which are his favourite books?
- What would you include in the “Philosophy” section – religion and ideology?
- Write a quote they could could have inspired him?
- What could he have written in his wall?
- If you had to upload a picture of the scene your character saw. Which one would you include? You can draw it in Paint yourself!

2. (To contextualize the story in another place and time)
Imagine a similar story happened today, what would it be like? Write some ideas.

3. (To reflect on ways of channeling feelings)
If you were Sir Arthur Wilbur Francis, what other artistic thing could you have done to channel your pain? Would it be magic? Draw a picture of your supernatural element.

4. (To become aware of different social realities during the Victorian Era in Britain)
We know Sir Francis was very wealthy and that he lived in a Mansion in Anningley, how do you picture Tom Gawdy’s house? Draw a sketch of his house including dimensions and references to ornaments he could have owned.
How many children do you imagine he had, if any? How do you think their lifestyle was back then.

5. (To develop creativity and the imagination)
Imagine a similar painting had been found by Mr. Williams, which story could it display? Write some ideas.

6. (To write a letter to a friend; to become aware of contemporary historical events in different places in the world)
Imagine Nisbet sent a letter to someone living in Argentina in the 1800s, what would they write about? Write two letters, one from Nisbet and another one from his Argentinean friend.

7. (To write a letter of complaint; to reflect on the importance of standing for ones’ rights)
Robert is a happy servant but lately he’s had too much work at Mr. Williams’ house, the constant visitors have made a mess and he’s had to clean up more often than usual. He decides to write a polite letter of complaint to Mr. Williams. Write his letter.

8. (To identify gothic elements in other and contemporary formats)
Decide with your classmates which of the following films you would like to watch: Twilight Series; Harry Potter Series; A Series of Unfortunate Events; Sherlock Holmes. Watch the movie you’ve chosen in class. What elements of the gothic movement can you find? Make a list of as many elements as you can find and discuss them with your classmates. Do you think you would find similar elements in the other films? Which ones?

9. (To develop characterization exercises through body expression; to become aware of the culture of the characters in the time and place of the story)
Choose one of the characters in the story and bring clothes and accessories that you think they would wear and use. Imagine what his personality was like. Do a one-minute-presentation on your character. Your classmates will try to guess which character you’ve chosen.
If you’d like to play a female role, imagine you are the daughter or the wife of one of the characters in the story.