At first, students have to answer a general question about the period ( i.e. features of romantic period; Who are the poets of the II generation? What’s the role of nature?) and another one on Gothic tradition (What is the sublime? What is the typical landscape? What are the supernatural elements you can find in fiction?). Then, they are asked to read and translate a part of text and to explain why it is gothic and supernatural. In the case of prose, Ss must add something about the narrative tecnique; as for the poem, the metrical structure and the rethorical devices.

 Remedial activities (recupero):

(A written test about Frankenstein and another one about La belle dame sans mercy.)

Frankenstein

Try to answer the following questions:

1. What type of fiction does F. belong to?
2. What does F. deal with?
3. In what sense is F. a gothic novel and in what sense isn’t it?
4. Is the creature naturally good or bad?
5. What’s the role of feelings and thoughts in the narration?

La belle dame sans mercy

1. What are the supernatural elements in the poem?
2. What does a “femme fatale” do?
3. What type of love is introduced in the poem?
4. Identify the images that describe love and its delight.