Suspense And Horror: Gothic Writing Across Time - American Gothic

Read the excerpt from a short story. I descended the steps to the cellar, reminding myself that the smell of dirt was not to be feared. The earthen walls shone with moisture, and the rows of jarred fruit gleamed. I loathed these errands and doubted my ability to discern a peach from a pear in the dim light. I held a jar inches from my eyes and concluded it was some undesirable green—beans or peas—to be retrieved at a later date. As I mused, something crept stealthily from the shadows, and pounced unexpectedly from the summer's stash. Which best describes the tone of the excerpt? A. somber B. disinterested C. angry D. uncertain

Read the excerpt from a short story. They had laughed at the shabbiness of the hotel. "Oh well," they'd said, "we aren't going to spend any time inside." And they had not. They'd spent the day and evening sightseeing and had not retreated to their rooms until they were spent. Now Ana appraised her modest accommodations, remembering how the window in her room had amused her friends, as it offered a view of a brick wall not six inches away. "You get what you pay for!" they'd exclaimed, closing the heavy curtains. The window captured Ana's attention again. As she readied for bed, she heard a persistent tapping coming from outside. Ana reasoned with herself, reminded herself that only small bird or bug in distress could fit in such a space. The tapping suggested otherwise, and she turned to investigate. How does the excerpt exemplify the ideas King describes in "Danse Macabre"? A. It allows readers to approach a "forbidden door." B. It provides a "single powerful spectacle" for the imagination's eye. C. It forces readers to "grapple" with their own mortality. D. It excites readers with the concept of "magic."

Read the excerpt from "The Adventure of the Mysterious Picture." I began to undress, but in spite of every effort I could not keep myself from stealing a glance every now and then at the picture; and a glance was now sufficient to distress me. Even when my back was turned to it, the idea of this strange face behind me, peering over my shoulder, was insufferable. I threw off my clothes and hurried into bed; but still this visage gazed upon me. What effect does the tone of the excerpt have on the reader? A. It fosters a belief that the narrator is unreliable. B. It encourages surprising delight in blood and gore. C. It inspires confidence that everything will work out fine in the end. D. It produces shivers down the spine, or a feeling of unease.

Read the excerpt from a short story. I stood against the far wall of the shabby lobby avoiding eye contact with the doorman as my dad checked us in for the night. We'd hoped to make it as far as Scranton, but the weather had interfered, leaving us instead at an eyesore of a truck-stop motel. My ear buds were jammed in as far as comfort would allow in a vain attempt to block out the motel's vibe. Still, I could not ignore the looming presence of the doorman. He stood in the dim portico, sweeping and re-sweeping a pile of lint on the floor, watching the parking lot with his watery eyes, and occasionally signaling to the whiskered clerk behind the desk. What technique does the author use to build suspense in the excerpt? A. The pace of the story quickens. B. The word choice darkens the tone. C. Odd characters are introduced. D. The setting details are intentionally omitted.

Read the excerpt from a short story. The young docent welcomed the class to the museum, explaining that the east wing was under construction and he'd be leading them to the first exhibit. His fingers leapt to his name tag as he nervously introduced himself as "Liam, a student of the arts." Then he bade the group follow him. They traversed a vaulted hall lined with hulking objects, each one obscured by a faded tarpaulin. Some of the items stretched across the floor, others cast long shadows on the museum walls. What technique does the author use to build suspense in the excerpt? A. word choice B. quickening the pace of the story C. intentionally omitting setting details D. making the outcome of events uncertain

Read the excerpt from a short story. The downy pillow covered his ears but did not mask the sound. Sleep eluded him for hours, and he heard it still: a persistent scraping in the corner of his room. Sitting upright at last, he peered into the darkness. It was as he'd suspected. His uncle's trunk, an old army footlocker, was the source of the sound. Fine then, he could resolve this mystery. He swung his legs to the floor with conviction. How does the excerpt exemplify the ideas King describes in "Danse Macabre"? A. It allows readers to approach a "forbidden door." B. It provides a "single powerful spectacle" for the imagination's eye. C. It forces readers to "grapple" with their own mortality. D. It introduces an unlikely "dancing partner."

Read the excerpt from a short story. From the porch, the cabin looked as quaint and rustic as the website had promised. I hoisted my duffel to my hip, unlocked the door with the key I'd been sent, and stepped into the warm air of the mountain home. The floorboards creaked a welcome as I investigated. I admired the piney living room, noting the stone hearth and the dappled afternoon light on the walls. Then I made my way toward the sole bedroom at the end of the hall. I glanced at the eyelet bedcover, the mantle clock, and the antique mirror. Wait. I glanced again at the mirror and impulsively brushed my hair from my eyes, balking at the coloring of the wayward wisps. How could it be? My hand touched my skin—the image I faced was a much older version of myself. I backed away, watching my wrinkled face retreat. I tripped on the doorjamb, stubbed my toe on an errant nail, and nearly toppled over my own luggage as I lunged for the door. What technique does the author use to build suspense in the excerpt? A. darkening the word choice B. quickening the pace of the story C. intentionally omitting setting details D. making the outcome of events uncertain

Read the excerpt from a short story. At least ten minutes had passed since the last locker door slammed. I had lurked long enough in the deserted shower stall, ruminating on my devious plan. I emerged to see the vacant room I'd anticipated. Within minutes, I had deciphered the locker combination and opened it without witness. This was my chance to reclaim what was rightfully mine, and I felt my heartbeat escalate. Which best describes the tone of the excerpt? A. confused B. secretive C. frustrated D. surprised

Read the excerpt from "The Adventure of the Mysterious Picture." The expression was that of agony—the agony of intense bodily pain; but a menace scowled upon the brow, and a few sprinklings of blood added to its ghastliness. Yet it was not all these characteristics—it was some horror of the mind, some inscrutable antipathy awakened by this picture, which harrowed up my feelings. What technique does Irving use to build suspense in the excerpt? A. The pace of the story quickens. B. The word choice darkens the tone. C. Odd characters are introduced. D. The setting details are intentionally omitted.

Read the excerpt from a short story. I thanked her again for the cake, and quietly retreated from the porch. A blast of air conditioning assailed me as I reentered our home and closed the summer heat behind me. Placing the cake on the table with the others, I noted its carefully scalloped frosting with mounting sadness. Clutching the doorjamb, I suppressed a sob. The reality of our loss would wait. Which words from the excerpt convey the tone? A. "thanked" and "retreated" B. "assailed" and "reentered" C. "placing" and "scalloped" D. "clutching" and "suppressed"