Short Assignment #1: Finish a Fragment

Objective: Increase your understanding of literary elements within gothic texts by finishing a fragment using the characteristics of gothic fiction to revise the ending into your own short creative fiction narrative.

Method

1. Choose either "Raymond: A Fragment" or "Sir Bertrand: A Fragment" as the text you will extend into your own piece of fiction. 
2. Extend the ending of the story based on the characteristics of gothic literature we have discussed and observed so far. Remember that authors often both include tropes of gothic fiction while innovating on their function and meaning, so while you will need to show that your ending clearly follows the gothic tradition, you have the freedom to be inventive and subversive within these boundaries. In addition to displaying your understanding of the gothic genre, you will also need to employ literary devices in your extended ending, such as plot, dialogue, symbolism, description, etc. While we will be identifying and discussing many literary devices in class, the Bedford St. Martin LitGloss website contains an extensive list you can explore. Your extended ending should be no shorter than two pages, typed and double spaced, but there is there is no specific word count for this part of the assignment. 
3. Explain the choices you have made. Provide a short explanation (250-300 words) discussing the narrative devices you used, including why you selected specific devices, what they contribute to the piece, and what aspects of the initial story you hoped to highlight through them. Also briefly describe which parts of the gothic tradition you based your ending on.

Due Date: Thursday, January 30th

* This assignment will not be graded on your talent as a creative writer, but rather your attempt to thoughtfully incorporate common elements of gothic fiction and use literary devices in your piece. You will be asked to critically write about these devices in your midterm and essays later on in the semester, and this exercise will increase your awareness of authors' strategies to give their fiction depth and interest through literary devices.