English Literature: The Power of Horror with Dr Christopher Pittard from University of Portsmouth
September 23 @ 14:15 - 15:00
Why does horror continue to be such a popular genre in literature and film? What are the roots of modern horror in older literary forms such as the Gothic? What do we find frightening, and does the idea of what we find unsettling change over historical periods?
This session looks at a range of texts, from the early nineteenth century Gothic of Frankenstein to contemporary horror novels, to examine these questions. It considers the historical contexts of horror writing, the influence of aesthetic theories such as the sublime, and explores psychoanalytical concepts (such as Sigmund Freud’s discussion of the uncanny) that help explain why we find certain things creepy or unsettling.
Lecturer Profile: Dr Christopher Pittard
Our events are designed so that a group of students can take part from a classroom or students and teachers can take part as individuals, either from school or from home. There is no charge to take part.
As a live, participative event, this session will not be recorded but slides and other resources will be shared after the event, where available.
Suitable for: Aged 16+ pre-university students studying, or thinking about studying, English Literature and related subjects. Student groups as well as students and teachers joining individually are very welcome.
Preparation/Pre-Reading: Students may wish to consider the topic in advance and questions they have. Students can also think about questions about studying at university level.
The IT Setup: The event will be run on Zoom and participants will be able to join using laptops, tablets, and mobile devices. If you are joining as a school group, we recommend connecting with one device and projecting on to a whiteboard. You will be able to interact with the speaker via typed comments and questions and/or via a microphone. Full details will be sent to those who have registered (see below) prior to the event.
Booking a Place: This is free for schools and colleges. If you would like to take part in this event, please register your interest using the link to the registration form below: