Wordsworth Classics (pg. Again, this contrasts the unfortunate fate of Matilda, who fulfils the role of the victim within the novel. The gift of the ruby necklace marks the narrator for death, as it foreshadows her beheading and acts as a mark of “sexual ownership.”[29] I’m sure you will never look at jewellery in the same way again. She rejects this suggestion because it goes against her moral compass (see first Litchatte, Jane Eyre discussion) and because she is concerned that she might end up as another  victim in Rochester’s attic. The narrator notes that she “ceased to be a child”[24] in marrying the Marquis, implying that marriage, and losing one’s virginity was a rite of passage for the female. A re-assessment of the Gothic in relation to the female, the 'feminine', feminism and post-feminismThis collection of newly commissioned essays brings together major scholars in the field of Gothic studies in order to re-think the topic of 'Women and the Gothic'. A Monster in the House: Gothic and Victorian Representations of Female Madness explores female madness and mental illness as perceived by Gothic and Victorian society over the span of three literary works: The Fall of the House of Usher (1839); Jane Eyre (1847), and The Yellow Wallpaper (1892). (pg. It was first published under the real author’s name in 1823. and Other Stories, UK – New edn. Vintage Classics (pg. edn. Mental illness, or madness, is a common theme in Gothic literature, and 'Dracula' is no exception. Could she have been justified to reacting so strongly against such confinement and for losing her rights as a wife? Feminist criticism formed the idea of the ‘feminine Gothic,’ a term that examines the portrayal of female characters within the Gothic genre. You can write to Murray here or at ellisonms2@vcu.edu. 211), [14] Milton, J. Paradise Lost, UK – 1st edn. UK – 1st edn. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Lady Macbeth and Cathy appear to destroy femininity, which is a prevalent idea within Gothic literature, as female characters often break gender conventions, creating monstrous personas. Roderick Usher keeps his sister Madeline confined to a dark room upstairs where he reports that she is suffering from a strange mental illness. [2] Within this stereotype is the Madonna-Whore complex. Her rejection of her own gender and femininity is what gives her the power that she craves, although she ultimately needs Macbeth to actively fulfill her desires. After she had started going mad, he explains that he confined her to an attic room and hired a servant, Grace Poole, to be her caretaker. Manfred’s determination to marry the reluctant Isabella displays the power that men had over women within a patriarchal structure as “absolute,”[44] and women as “chattels to be controlled and exploited.”[45]  Female dependency on male figures within the family is emphasised by Bianca, Matilda’s servant. The stereotypical female in Gothic literature is portrayed as an innocent, helpless maiden, passive, vulnerable, dependant and weak. [3] The idea explores the potential power a female could exhibit, and how this incited fear within males. In discovering her sexuality, the narrator ponders her own “potentiality for corruption,”[25] and although before she was innocent and virginal, her sexual awakening has led to her own corruption. Heights, UK – Reprint edn. Otranto, UK – 3 edition. Otranto, UK – 3 edition. We all love to read such stories. The women in Walpole’s ‘The Castle of Otranto,’[6] too suffer within male dominated societies, and the oppression of male sexuality, although the Madonna-Whore complex is less prevalent. This temporary switch in gender roles allows the reader to see the power that Matilda wields, as the daughter of Manfred. ‘Macbeth’[7] and ‘Wuthering Heights,’[8] also exhibit typical qualities of the feminine Gothic, and both female protagonists represent the fear and fantasy of their male dominated societies. Heights, UK – Reprint edn. Her confinement causes her to become obsessed with what seems to be a woman living and moving about in patterns of the yellow wallpaper. In ‘Macbeth, ‘Wuthering Heights’ and ‘The Castle of Otranto’ the Madonna-Whore dichotomy is not a huge theme. 119), [68] Bronte, E. Wuthering Isabella too shows glimmers of independence, which are longer lasting than that of Matilda’s due to her untimely death. – 1st edn. Chamber and Other Stories, UK – New edn. Before her temptation in book nine, Eve is subservient to Adam and noted for her captivating beauty. In her madness, Cathy’s eyes are described to be “flashing,” and the “muscles” in her neck and arms stand out “preternaturally.”[70] Her hair also flies over her shoulders. Manfred is aware of the incestuous nature of this union, but is so corrupted by desire that he is willing to break divine law, declaring, “Heaven nor hell shall impede my designs.”[43]  It is the purity and chastity of Isabella that increases his attraction towards her. Vintage Classics (pg. This change in gender roles is even more significant considering this story is authored by a female, who wished to challenge gender roles and attitudes to female sexuality. (pg. This makes Cathy’s breaking of gender roles essential to the story. As a doctor, he thinks he is prescribing the most proper treatment for her. The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories, UK – New Madwomen in Nineteenth-Century Gothic Literature. She is not constrained by her gender, unlike her daughter, whose gender is defined by her innocence and loss of virginity. In the novel, Viktor Frankenstein creates a monster in his laboratory but has no control over the terror it unleashes in the surrounding villages. and Other Stories, UK – New edn. Wordsworth Classics, [8] Bronte, E (1847) Wuthering Although she informs her Aunt that she has forgiven her, Mrs. Reed dies in anger, saying she has never forgiven Jane for her impertinence. Vintage Classics (pg. The Bloody Chamber No doubt, he considers his wife as incurable at that point. According to Bette B. Robert's article, "Gothic Fiction (1780-1830)," female authors and readers dominated Gothic fiction, and was in stark contrast to the domestic novels of the time, which reinforced women's roles during late 18th-century English society. Rest in peace Matilda. These unresolvable mysteries become even clearer after Rochester explains how Bertha defied his expectations and seemed so different from him after their marriage. Even as a child, Nelly recounts that he “would do her bidding in anything.”[52] Cathy exercises great power over Heathcliff, even justifying her marriage to Edgar, by arguing that she plans to “aid Heathcliff to rise.”[53] Both Lady Macbeth and Cathy use men to achieve their own goals, partly because they are restricted by their gender. The Madonna aspects of the story are noticeable, with the innocence and youth of the girl, and although she uses her sexuality to her advantage, one may hesitate to class her as the archetypal whore, as she uses her sexuality as a tool to seduce the wolf and escape. This allows the novel to be compared to Carter’s ‘The Bloody Chamber,’ as women within these stories are empowered, arguably for longer than those within Otranto. It’s so interesting to think about how much of our experiences as women is shared. Just as frequent, however, is the theme of insanity — of hallucinations, anxiety, and complete mental breakdown — particularly in … Eve, in ‘Paradise Lost’ and the Bible, is a controversial figure, as she is commonly blamed for bringing sin into the world. Penguin Classics (pg. Wordsworth Classics (pg. He then takes the clergymAN, wedding witnesses, and Jane up to the attic to see the madwoman. Longman (pg. Edgar Allan Poe’s 1829 short story, “The Fall of the House of Usher,” takes Frankenstein to the next level. Macbeth wishes to protect her from his violent intent, alluding to the fact that, traditionally women were not involved in such unlawful acts. Both women are controlled by men, and are used to entertain their sexual fantasies. The asylum became a tool of discipline in the gothic world of sentimental fiction. [1] Critics focused on the tendency of male writers to keep female characters within the constraints of social stereotypes, leaving them victims of the traditional misogynistic and patriarchal culture. Charlotte Perkins Gilman had no way of knowing that a story she wrote in 1892 would one day be regarded as a classic in feminist literature. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Passion and lust are sinful in Bronte's society, and outbursts and passionate emotions suggests an imbalance in your brain. When reading and reviewing Gothic texts, the prevalence of ghosts, mysterious apparitions, and unexplainable sounds and events is apparent. He is an editor for the “Correctional Education Magazine,” and editing a book of poetry, soon to be published written by Indian mystic, Shambhuvasanda. Every text studied provides details about females breaking free of the patriarchal society they inhabit. Lady Macbeth rejects the traditional maternal role of the female, and Cathy’s animalistic and wild behaviour as a girl point to her personal manipulation of gender norms. Their relationship is not a romantic one, as romantic relationships within the novel have been incestuous and corrupting, but one of companionship, insinuating that Isabella will rule Otranto as Theodore’s equal, and not his subservient wife. 119), [23] Carter, A. UK – 1st edn. being a or the female malady, madness took many forms, some of which were strongly linked to women and to femininity, others far less so.2 Indeed, as we shall see, some were linked to men and masculinity, and it is the complex interrelation of gender and madness, not just of women and madness in isolation, that needs to be examined. The brother paints and plays music to his pleasure but the sister is not permitted to have the same privileges of self-expression. The theme of virginity runs through the texts, showing how important the ‘Madonna’ aspect of the complex was in many different historical eras. This does not demonstrate the death of femininity, exemplified in Lady Macbeth and Cathy, but shows how the female sex is able to adopt male characteristics. Certainly, generically gendered distinctions had been made before Moers' book; eight years [9]  Vanity at its finest. In the play, and Gothic genre, women use men to complete their own goals, presenting them as the more powerful of the two sexes. The aunt justifies locking Jane up because she believes she is mad. Vintage Classics (pg. The woman, not having any other creative task to occupy her mind, identifies with the crawling woman. This provides detail about men’s’ attitudes to female sexuality, as the Marquis enjoys deflowering women, and releasing their ability for evil. Longman (pg. She perceives that the women she perceives is trying to escape from the restrictions of being confined in the wallpaper and of not being allowed to express herself. and Other Stories, UK – New edn. When breaking gender convention no character does so as brutally as Lady Macbeth as she wishes to destroy her femininity, which is another classic trait of the feminine gothic. As Madeline escapes from her premature burial, she kills her brother in an act of defiant anger and revenge. However both texts exhibit classic traits of the feminine Gothic, particularly the breaking of gender conventions and manipulation of men. The Bloody Chamber OUP Oxford (pg. He teaches English at Richard Bland College of William & Mary and literature appreciation classes in the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Richmond. The unreliable narrator suffers from madness … Isabella flees in terror, and who can blame her, but finds herself incarcerated by the patriarchal society of the novel, which is a common theme within the gothic genre. Wordsworth editions (pg. Teaching the Literature of Mad Women On Gendered Notions of Mental Illness, and Who "Deserves" to Be Depressed. However, the most important question and tension of the Jane Eyre novel is: Who is the woman being confined in the attic in Master Rochester’s House? 40), [32] Carter, A. She is owned by the Marquis, implying that the men, who awaken female sexuality, in this instance, control it. Vintage Classics (pg. edn. The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories, UK – New 105), [35] Carter, A (1995) The Bloody The term “preternaturally” tells the reader that her current state is beyond natural, and abnormal, making this madness also a form of shape shifting, as Cathy has totally transformed. The fact that she describes men as “meat”[23] implies that it is the males who are being objectified in this scenario, not the women. Penguin The protagonist in the story embodies the Madonna-Whore complex, as her sexual awakening, initiated by the Marquis allows her to indulge in sexual pleasure and corruption. ( Log Out /  Carter’s work emerged in an age of second wave feminism “in the 1970’s, in which women disagreed over the direction and desired outcomes of the feminist movement.”[16] Within Carter’s stories, gender stereotypes are also not fixed for some of the female protagonists. Satan’s gaze upon Eve prompts the removal of “his own evil”[10] emphasizing Eve’s intense power, which is drawn from her beauty and presence, rendering him “stupidly good.”[11] It can be inferred that this beauty is enhanced by her chastity and innocence, making her appear as a Madonna figure. 11), [27] Carter, A. The dichotomy explores two conflicting images of the female, the desire to be found sexually attractive, but also the desire to be viewed as chaste and virginal. Another element of Female gothic is madness and monstrosity as an explanation for why the female would deviate from the conventional norm. Wordsworth Classics (pg. Mary Reilly by Valerie Martin (1990) Another retelling of sorts, this one from the point of view of a … Heights, UK – Reprint edn. 92), [70] Bronte, E. Wuthering 86), [71] Bronte, E. Wuthering 206), http://sites.psu.edu/aspsy/2015/10/03/madonna-whore-complex/, [4] Milton, J (1667) Paradise Lost, UK – 1st edn. Before her temptation, Milton notes that the wife is where “danger and dishonor lurks,”[12] seemingly passing blame to Eve before she has sinned, because of her gender. It was Lady Macbeth’s plan to kill Duncan, but when deciding to murder Banquo, Macbeth protects his “dearest chuck,”[50] which is a term of endearment. 85), [10] Milton, J. Paradise Lost, UK – Heights, UK – Reprint edn. In this early example of horror literature, the unnamed female protagonist is driven mad by her boredom with the life she is limited to as a woman. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. She is also naked like a newborn, adding to her virginal appearance. Change ), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), On the Madonna-Whore Complex of Women in Gothic Literature, The use of colour in ‘Tess of the D’Urbervilles’ – Words, Words, Words. It can be argued that this story supports the view that Poe was sympathetic to the cause of lifting the artistic limitations imposed by society on women. What is mad about these women? ; OUP Oxford (pg. In the Gothic, characters are subject to an onslaught of sensational and macabre events, and Gothic writers seem to delight in their descriptions of the mind's breaking point. In these incidences, the men exert power over their female counterparts, and the discovery of their sexuality leads to greater corruption. 45), [49] Chaplin, S (2011) York Notes Companions Gothic Literature Shakespeare is noted to have had a “major influence upon early Gothic fiction,”[49] particularly his tragedies. It is noted that female characters in Gothic novels and plays often fall into one of two categories: innocent victims, subservient to the strong and powerful male characters, or the shameless and dangerous predator. Through this ritual she is defiled and discovers her own capacity for evil, citing the moment in which she transforms from Madonna to whore. He prescribes a treatment of complete rest for her. As the story develops, Rochester is willing to break through socio-economic and caste restrictions and marry Jane. Vintage Classics (pg. edn. 138), [38] Carter, A. 1st edn. of William Shakespeare, UK – 1st edn. Therefore, those who were unable to control their passionate emotions were deemed insane. Her accidental murder by her father fulfils the prophecy hinted at throughout the novel that Manfred’s children will die, as he is not the legitimate heir to Otranto. OUP Oxford (pg. After her murderous intent, one wonders why Mrs Macbeth would need any protecting, but perhaps after his emasculation by his own wife, Macbeth’s protection of her is an attempt to restore his own masculinity. Wordsworth Classics (pg. It was apparent at book club that night a couple years ago and is the most striking part about reading novels that are traditionally assigned to the genre of Women and Madness in literature. Wordsworth editions (pg. 83), [69] Bronte, E. Wuthering Longman (pg. Sounds scary. However, there are questions about whether Bertha has always been mad or whether she has become mad because she couldn’t be controlled by her husband. After Jane matures to a young woman, she is summoned by Aunt Reed to her deathbed. ( Log Out /  Longman (pg. FEMALE MONSTROSITY AND MADNESS IN SELMA LAGERLÖF’S “THE GHOST HAND” Sofia Wijkmark In the 1870s and 80s Swedish literature, like the rest of Scandinavian literature, was dominated by critical realism, a tendency inspired by the lectures of the influential Danish critic 24), [42] Walpole, H. The Castle of Isabella too comes into this category, as her “soul is pure as virtue itself.”[40] Manfred is aware that his “fate depends on having sons,”[41] and proceeds to have sex with Isabella on the “night”[42] of his own sons death. Longman (pg. Murray Ellison received a Master’s in Education at Temple University (1973), a Master’s of Arts in English Literature at VCU (2015), and a Doctorate in Education at Virginia Tech in 1987. She is denied the right to read a book by her teenage cousin. Madness is seen as insightful, a plumbing of the depth of emotional intensity. The Bloody Chamber Wordsworth Classics (pg. and Other Stories, UK – New edn. Eve is both virginal and dangerously attractive to Adam. The three plays under consideration are: Long Day’s Journey Into Night, written in 1941 by Eugene O’Neill; Fefu and Her Friends ‘In the Company of Wolves’ explores similar themes to ‘The Lady of the House of Love,’ as the sexuality of the young female protagonist empowers her and allows her to escape the wolf unscathed. Wordsworth Classics (pg. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. Manfred’s failure to realise that his own daughter stood before him demonstrates his moral blindness, and his objectification of women. (English Review), November 2016, pg 20-21, [17] Carter, A (1995) The Bloody Penguin Classics (pg. Otranto, UK – 3 edition. Classics (pg. 228), [19] Carter, A. ‘The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter,’ As scholars have illustrated, people in nineteenth-century Euro… Although she appears in this way, she is “the child of desire,”[35] and embodies the carnal lust of the Count. This creates the distinct personalities of Catherine Earnshaw and Catherine Linton. Wordsworth Classics (pg. Although Adam too incited Eve to have sex with him, it is Eve who has lost her purity, and ‘Madonna like’ qualities. This ability to morph too is a classic trait of the Gothic female. and Other Stories, UK – New edn. 6), [26] Carter, A. When Jane, also questions her Aunt for always siding with her son and for not caring about her, she is locked upstairs in the Red Room. It is this plot strand that makes the women of the story, Isabella, Matilda and Hippolita, important, as they have, and have had, the means to bear children. 218), [67] Bronte, E (1847) Wuthering Freud notes that men desire their partners to be sexually degraded, but struggle to desire a ‘Madonna like’ figure, offering two distinct ways of expressing female sexual identity within Gothic literature. Although she has this power, the protagonist is overcome by the Marquis, and is corrupted by the discovery of her sexuality, causing her to embody fully the Madonna-Whore complex. Chamber and Other Stories, UK – New edn. In freeing him she gives him back his masculinity, allowing traditional gender roles to be restored. 862), [60] Shakespeare, W. The Complete Works Murray Ellison received Master’s Degrees in Education (1973) from Temple University and in English Literature (2015) from Virginia Commonwealth University, as well as a Doctorate in Education from Virginia Tech (1988). The Gothic tradition originated in response to a period of rapid and far-reaching societal, cultural, and theological change in eighteenth-century Europe. Despite the initial impressions of ‘The Castle of Otranto,’ that the males will dominate all female characters, there are several incidences in which Matilda and Isabella gain independence, facilitating a switch in conventional gender roles. The Aunt banishes Jane from her home, disowns her, and sends her to an orphan school for girls (see earlier Litchatte.com discussion). She is ghostlike yet ghoulishly corporeal. 40), [33] Carter, A. 104), [18] Chaplin, S (2011) York Notes Companions Gothic Literature Otranto, UK – 3 edition. She, instead, is convinced that she needs to write to relieve her anxieties. The Bloody Chamber 206), [2] Chaplin, S. York I love The Bloody Chamber and I think your other examples were really well picked! Bertha had just as much reason to be angry and vindictive toward her husband as Jane had toward Aunt Reed. 39), [41] Walpole, H. The Castle of All women within the story display aspects of the ‘Madonna’ character, and do not engage with the latter idea of the ‘Madonna-whore’ complex. 106), [37] Carter, A. Classics, [5] Carter, A (1995) The Bloody Chamber and Other OUP Oxford (pg. In one way of looking at Madeline, her mental illness could be caused by her forced confinement and by being restricted artistically and socially by her brother. 107), http://www.grin.com/en/e-book/270986/the-representation-of-women-in-angela-carter-s-the-magic-toyshop, [22] Carter, A (1995) The Bloody 59), [66]Chaplin, S (2011) York 862), [52] Bronte, E (1847) Wuthering Heights, UK – Reprint edn. This sexual ownership is further explored through the use of mirrors, in which “her image as a sexual object is given back to her”[30] by the Marquis, who has the power to control and show her what she is. Although she is a member of the lower class, and displays ignorance in comparison to Matilda, she provides a frank insight into gender politics, as she affirms, “a bad husband is better than no husband at all.”[46]  Hippolita shares this view, and despite Manfred’s attempts to divorce her, is loyal to her husband, acknowledging that women are bound to the will of men and cannot “make election for ourselves.”[47] This is demonstrated previously by Manfred’s staunch refusal to give Isabella the “consent”[48] to return home to her father, displaying the control of women by men in the novel, and by extension the whole genre. – 1st edn. Otranto, UK – 3 edition. Wordsworth For both Cathy and Lady Macbeth, another dramatic shift in character comes in the form of their madness. This is why Jane believes she is insane, because women often feared that their lose of control could lead to being accused of madness. Penguin Classics edn. Vintage Classics (pg. 218), [75] Shakespeare, W (2007) The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, UK – 1st In Angela Carter’s more contemporary work, ‘The Bloody Chamber,’[5] female sexuality empowers women, although it results in the loss of their ‘Madonna like’ qualities. 101), [57] Milton, J (1667) Paradise Lost, UK – 1st edn. The Female Gothic. Throughout ‘The Bloody Chamber,’ a man, wishing to defile the innocence of a young woman, like in the title story and ‘The Snow Child’, triggers the exploration of female sexuality. editions (pg. This can be identified through using the Male Gaze theory which suggests that a woman’s purpose is solely for male sexual pleasure. OUP Oxford (pg. 41), [34] Chaplin, S (2011) York Notes Female sexuality is similarly dangerous in ‘The Lady of the House of Love.’ This particular tale should be noted as it contorts gender roles, as it is made explicitly clear, that the female is the predator, and that the timid virgin is male. In one interpretation of Frankenstein, the monster was the author’s representation of how society was threatened by the idea of a successful women writer. Vintage Classics, [6] Walpole, H (1764) The Castle of Otranto, UK – 3 edition. Words, words, words… well said Hamlet! Vintage Classics (pg. 870), [51] Shakespeare, W. The Please say you’re doing this for your dissertation because you wrote this so well, Thanks very much this really helped me answer my essay question which was ‘In Gothic writing, female characters are generally presented as victims.’. The sister’s name strongly suggests to readers that she is mad about something. Vintage Classics (pg. Lady Macbeth longs for Macbeth to return so that she can “pour my spirits in thine ear, and chastise with the valor of my tongue.”[51] Although Lady Macbeth devises the plan to kill Duncan, she needs Macbeth to carry out the deed, conforming to gender conventions as mentioned above. She asks if “these hands ne’er be clean?”[75] This explains the constant torment she experiences due to her past actions, and the guilt that she feels for them. 16), [29] Chaplin, S (2011) York Notes Companions Gothic Literature Wordsworth Classics (pg. 88), [73] Chaplin, S (2011) York Chamber and Other Stories, UK – New edn. As Madeline’s madness gets more and more out of control, Roderick attempts to bury his sister while she is still alive, believing this is necessary to save her soul. The Bloody Chamber This offers a different interpretation of the complex, and a more positive attitude to the exploration of female sexuality, rather than the girls’ condemnation as a sexually promiscuous figure. [37] “She is afraid of nothing,”[38] and her sexuality is what allows her to escape. The novel and analyze how they are treated in Stoker 's work fearsome... Innocence and loss of virginity the madwoman Catherine from Bronte ’ s unnamed narrator graphically her! 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Which she has become so angry and vindictive toward her husband, she and her carnally! Of society we are never able to hear Bertha ’ s mind, identifies with crawling. Commenting using your WordPress.com account Madonna-Whore disunion leave the room and trying to peel the off... The reader to see the power that Matilda wields, as she is not permitted to have a... Teenage cousin mind, perhaps Cathy ’ s failure to realise that his own daughter stood before him his..., s ( 2011 ) York Notes Companions Gothic Literature – 1st edn enhanced the of! Who were unable to control their passionate emotions suggests an imbalance in details... Of Complete rest for her the house as if she is a ghostly spirit after. Of view about why she has become so angry and vindictive toward her husband, tries!

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