The Universe of the Gargoyle

As you know, Uni has a connection to gargoyles. As such, this is the perfect topic for creative writing.

First, do some research on the history of the gargoyle (it's pretty interesting). Check out multiple sources and images, and share what you've learned with the class.

Next, consider the possibilities of stories and poetry about gargoyles. As recent literature on vampires, werewolves, and other mythical creatures has shown, there are a lot of ways this creature can be written about, including multiple genres:

  • Fantasy, of course, but also...

  • Sci-fi (scientists splice DNA of different animals together and end up with a gargoyle?) 

  • Mystery (a gargoyle detective?)

  • Romance (gargoyle falls in love with vampire-were-unicorn?)

  • Kids’ lit for different ages (fairy tale, early readers, tweens, YA)

  • Poetry (think Poe and "The Raven")

  • Superhero (what would The Gargoyle's super power be?)

  • Graphic novel or screenplay

  • Hybrid (gargoyles in space? steampunk gargoyles in Victorian England?)

  • And even realistic fiction (person obsessed with gargoyles or imagines they're becoming one?)


Brainstorm some ideas and put them in the comments. Then take some time to flesh out an idea into a story or poem. Our goal is to create a collection of gargoyle literature!



Comments

  1. Florence LinMarch 30, 2022 at 8:17 AM

    https://static01.nyt.com/images/2009/01/18/realestate/18scap-600.jpg?year=2009&h=330&w=600&s=47dbe4e9546810593f1d37a36952b51e68294c7192dfa04fa657510eb4239f34&k=ZQJBKqZ0VN&tw=1

    Facial expressions, frozen in time

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Letitia MoffittMarch 30, 2022 at 9:20 AM

      These are comical but also super creepy. They really do seem like people frozen in time.

      Delete
  2. JonathanMarch 30, 2022 at 8:35 AM

    Maybe a creative idea would be a gargoyle living as a human and nobody addresses it, and it's a mystery that slowly unfolds as they realize that they're so different from everyone else. Like a reverse tarzan situation or something?
    Also could do the wake up as a cockroach story but with gargoyle?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Letitia MoffittMarch 30, 2022 at 9:17 AM

      I like the reverse Tarzan idea -- maybe they don't realize they are different until they see a gargoyle on a building and have this weird moment of recognition: that's me. But how can that be me?

      Delete
  3. Letitia MoffittMarch 30, 2022 at 8:45 AM

    The Gargoyle as superhero could have some vigilante-type characteristics. The Gargoyle simultaneously wants to protect people but also warn them against being evil. Maybe they specifically seek out people who might be tempted to become villains and try to steer them right? Not all of them go that way, though.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Noel ChiMarch 30, 2022 at 8:49 AM

    I read about gargoyles originating as drainage systems that just got more decorative as time went on. Perhaps a metaphor for impostor syndrome, that everyone thinks the gargoyle is poetic but they're just. a drainpipe?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Letitia MoffittMarch 30, 2022 at 9:18 AM

      Maybe the person with impostor syndrome has an office across from a building with a gargoyle on it and they stare at this thing and start to realize maybe that's them: only decorative on the outside but really quite dull.

      Delete
  5. WilliamMarch 30, 2022 at 8:56 AM

    This one is a little out there, but maybe in some science fiction universe, archeologists discover an abandoned planet littered with gargoyles, and have to figure out their meaning and their importance to whoever used to live there

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LiliMarch 30, 2022 at 9:06 AM

      This actually sounds like a really interesting idea, what if they can all come to life?

      Delete
    2. Letitia MoffittMarch 30, 2022 at 9:19 AM

      Yes! And one of the archaeologists wonders about how gargoyle images ended up coming to the home planet (earth).

      Delete
  6. Letitia MoffittMarch 30, 2022 at 9:06 AM

    Historical fiction: a pair of architects/engineers work on creating a church. One of them wants it functional, the other wants more decorative elements and comes up with the gargoyle waterspout and imagines the creature as being protective. The functional architect pitches it to the disapproving church as warning against evil, much to the dismay of the more imaginative architect.

    ReplyDelete
  7. RylandMarch 30, 2022 at 9:23 AM

    Gargoyles are trapping something inside and the burning of the Notre dame was their escape from their stone prison. Since their escape they have been causing mayhem across the world for humans.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Letitia MoffittMarch 30, 2022 at 9:25 AM

      And how do humans fight back? They can become stone again, which makes them impervious to many weapons (can't be burned or shot).

      Delete

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