The Gothic novel was the 18th century equivalent of the horror movie: though its terrors might seem mild to a 21st century audience, they evoked chills in their contemporary audience. In this seminar-style, discussion based class we’ll read The Castle of Otranto (1764) by Horace Walpole; The Mysteries of Udolpho (1794) by Ann Radcliffe, and The Monk (1796) by Matthew Lewis. These novels show how 18th century writers used medieval, continental settings to explore the darkness underlying modern civilization. Five Thursdays: January 21, 28, February 4, 11, 18, from noon to 2 p.m. Online Class.