Question 1: Identify two Gothic conventions present in the passage.

Answer: The desolate estate and the oppressive atmosphere.

Question 2: Describe how the imagery of the trees contributes to the Gothic mood.

Answer: The gnarled branches reaching out and clutching at the darkness evoke a sense of menace and unnatural presence.

Question 3: What literary technique is used in the phrase 'the shadows danced and flickered,' and what effect does it create?

Answer: Personification; it enhances the eerie, unnatural atmosphere of the scene.

Question 4: How does the use of darkness and light contribute to the mood of the passage?

Answer: The darkness creates a sense of mystery and fear, while the flickering candlelight hints at fragile safety and the unknown.

Question 5: Explain the significance of the house 'mourn[ing] its tragic history' in Gothic literature.

Answer: It personifies the house, emphasizing themes of decay, sorrow, and the lingering presence of past tragedies, which are common in Gothic settings.

Question 6: Identify and explain one example of foreshadowing in the passage.

Answer: The faint echo of footsteps hints at ongoing or impending supernatural events.

Question 7: Discuss how the setting described enhances the Gothic genre's themes of mystery and terror.

Answer: The isolated estate, dark atmospheric details, and ominous sounds create a tense environment that exemplifies typical Gothic themes of danger, the supernatural, and psychological unease.

Question 8: Which Gothic convention is most prominent in this extract and why?

Answer: The haunted, decaying house, as it embodies the Gothic obsession with the past and fear.

Question 9: Propose a creative continuation of the scene, incorporating typical Gothic elements.

Answer: Students should include atmospheric description, suggest supernatural or tragic events, and incorporate Gothic motifs such as darkness, isolation, and mystery.