4.1 The supernatural and the uncanny
11 min read•august 20, 2024
emerged in the late 18th century, exploring dark, irrational aspects of human nature. It challenged Enlightenment ideals with supernatural elements, creating an atmosphere of terror and suspense.
The supernatural in Gothic works serves as a catalyst for plot and character development. It allows authors to delve into the unknown, blurring boundaries between natural and unnatural, living and dead, while exploring human psychology.
Defining the Gothic tradition
- The Gothic tradition emerged in the late 18th century as a reaction against the Age of Enlightenment's emphasis on reason and order
- Gothic literature explores the dark, irrational, and mysterious aspects of human nature and the world
- The Gothic tradition has had a lasting impact on literature, influencing various genres such as horror, fantasy, and mystery
Origins of Gothic literature
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- Horace Walpole's novel "" (1764) is considered the first Gothic novel
- Gothic literature drew inspiration from medieval romances, , and the supernatural
- The Gothic novel gained popularity in the late 18th and early 19th centuries with works by authors such as and
Key elements of Gothic fiction
- Supernatural events and beings (, , )
- Dark, mysterious settings (, ruined abbeys)
- Atmosphere of terror, suspense, and
- Psychological exploration of characters' inner turmoil and desires
- Themes of transgression, forbidden knowledge, and the struggle between good and evil
Supernatural themes in Gothic works
- The supernatural is a central element in Gothic literature, often serving as a catalyst for the plot and character development
- Supernatural themes allow authors to explore the unknown, the irrational, and the fears that lurk within the human psyche
- The presence of supernatural elements challenges the boundaries between the natural and the unnatural, the living and the dead
Ghosts and spectral apparitions
- Ghosts are common in Gothic literature, often representing unresolved past traumas or sins
- In "The Castle of Otranto," the ghost of Alfonso haunts the castle and seeks vengeance
- "The Turn of the Screw" by Henry James features ghostly appearances that torment the governess and the children
- Spectral apparitions can serve as warnings, omens, or manifestations of characters' guilty consciences
Vampires and undead creatures
- Vampires, as immortal beings who feed on human blood, embody the and the threat of the "Other"
- Bram Stoker's "" (1897) popularized the vampire as a Gothic villain, preying on innocent victims
- "Carmilla" by Sheridan Le Fanu features a female vampire who seduces and feeds on young women
- Undead creatures, such as zombies and revenants, blur the line between life and death, challenging the natural order
Witches, wizards, and occultism
- Witches and wizards are often associated with dark magic, , and the invocation of supernatural forces
- In "" by Matthew Lewis, the character of Matilda is a witch who tempts Ambrosio into sin and damnation
- "The Lancashire Witches" by William Harrison Ainsworth explores the historical witch trials and the fear of witchcraft
- Occultism, the study of hidden knowledge and practices, is a recurring theme in Gothic literature, often linked to the pursuit of forbidden power
Curses, prophecies, and omens
- Curses and in Gothic works often foretell the characters' dark fates or the consequences of their actions
- In "The Castle of Otranto," a prophecy foretells the downfall of Manfred's lineage
- "The House of the Seven Gables" by Nathaniel Hawthorne features a family curse that haunts generations
- Omens, such as strange dreams, visions, or natural phenomena, hint at impending doom or supernatural influences
Creating the uncanny effect
- The uncanny, as defined by , is the unsettling feeling that arises when something is both familiar and unfamiliar
- Gothic literature often employs the uncanny to create a sense of unease, disorientation, and psychological disturbance
- The uncanny blurs the boundaries between the real and the imaginary, the natural and the supernatural
Blurring reality and fantasy
- Gothic works often create ambiguity between what is real and what is imagined, leaving readers uncertain
- In "The Fall of the House of Usher" by , the narrator's perceptions are called into question
- "" by Emily Brontë blends elements of realism and the supernatural, creating a sense of uncertainty
- The blurring of reality and fantasy reflects the characters' psychological states and the instability of their world
Doppelgangers and alter egos
- , or ghostly doubles of characters, represent the uncanny resemblance between the familiar and the unfamiliar
- In "William Wilson" by Edgar Allan Poe, the protagonist is haunted by his doppelganger, who embodies his repressed desires
- "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" by Robert Louis Stevenson features a character with two distinct personalities, one good and one evil
- Alter egos can represent the characters' hidden or repressed aspects of their personalities, often leading to inner conflict
Animating inanimate objects
- The uncanny effect can be achieved by giving life to inanimate objects, blurring the line between the living and the non-living
- In "The Haunted Man and the Ghost's Bargain" by Charles Dickens, a portrait comes to life and haunts the protagonist
- "The Oval Portrait" by Edgar Allan Poe features a painting that seems to capture the life essence of its subject
- The animation of inanimate objects challenges the natural order and creates a sense of unease
Distorting time and space
- Gothic works often manipulate time and space to create a sense of disorientation and the uncanny
- In "The House on the Borderland" by William Hope Hodgson, the protagonist experiences time distortions and travels to otherworldly dimensions
- "The Haunting of Hill House" by Shirley Jackson features a house with a distorted spatial layout that affects the characters' perceptions
- The distortion of time and space reflects the characters' psychological states and the instability of their reality
Psychological aspects of the supernatural
- Gothic literature often uses the supernatural as a means to explore the characters' inner lives, their repressed desires, fears, and moral conflicts
- The supernatural elements serve as manifestations of the characters' psychological states, blurring the line between the external and the internal
- The psychological aspects of the supernatural reflect the Gothic tradition's interest in the dark recesses of the human mind
Madness and mental instability
- Gothic works often feature characters who descend into madness or experience mental instability when confronted with the supernatural
- In "" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, the protagonist's mental state deteriorates as she becomes obsessed with the supernatural patterns in the wallpaper
- "" by Edgar Allan Poe explores the narrator's descent into madness, driven by guilt and paranoia
- Madness and mental instability can be both a cause and a consequence of supernatural experiences
Dreams, nightmares, and visions
- Dreams, nightmares, and visions are often used in Gothic literature to reveal characters' subconscious fears, desires, and premonitions
- In "" by Mary Shelley, Victor Frankenstein has prophetic dreams that foretell the consequences of his actions
- "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Brontë features characters who are haunted by dreams and visions of the past
- Dreams, nightmares, and visions can blur the line between reality and the supernatural, reflecting the characters' inner turmoil
Repressed desires and fears
- The supernatural in Gothic literature often serves as a manifestation of characters' repressed desires and fears
- In "Carmilla" by Sheridan Le Fanu, the vampire Carmilla represents the repressed lesbian desire of the protagonist, Laura
- "The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde explores the protagonist's repressed desires and the consequences of his moral decay
- The supernatural elements can be seen as a return of the repressed, forcing characters to confront their hidden selves
Guilt, sin, and moral decay
- Gothic works often explore themes of guilt, sin, and moral decay, with the supernatural serving as a manifestation of characters' transgressions
- In "The Monk" by Matthew Lewis, Ambrosio's moral decline is accompanied by supernatural temptations and consequences
- "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" by Robert Louis Stevenson uses the supernatural to explore the duality of human nature and the consequences of repressed evil
- The supernatural can be seen as a punishment or a catalyst for characters' moral corruption
Gothic settings and atmospheres
- Gothic literature often employs dark, mysterious, and foreboding settings to create an atmosphere of terror, suspense, and the uncanny
- The settings are not merely backdrops but actively contribute to the mood, tone, and themes of the works
- Gothic settings often reflect the characters' psychological states and the presence of the supernatural
Haunted castles and mansions
- Haunted castles and mansions are iconic settings in Gothic literature, representing the weight of the past and the secrets they hold
- In "The Castle of Otranto" by Horace Walpole, the castle itself is a character, haunted by supernatural occurrences
- "The Haunting of Hill House" by Shirley Jackson features a mansion that seems to have a life of its own, affecting the characters' minds
- These settings often symbolize the characters' confinement, both physical and psychological
Dark forests and wilderness
- and wilderness settings in Gothic literature represent the unknown, the untamed, and the primitive aspects of human nature
- In "Young Goodman Brown" by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the dark forest is the setting for the protagonist's supernatural encounter and moral crisis
- "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Brontë uses the wild moors as a reflection of the characters' passionate and untamed natures
- These settings can be seen as a projection of the characters' inner landscapes and the presence of the supernatural
Labyrinthine passages and crypts
- and crypts in Gothic works represent the characters' psychological and moral descent, as well as the secrets buried within
- In "The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe, the catacombs serve as the setting for the protagonist's act of revenge and the burial of his guilt
- "The Monk" by Matthew Lewis features labyrinthine passages in the convent, reflecting the characters' moral confusion and the presence of hidden evil
- These settings symbolize the characters' entrapment and the difficulty of escaping their own minds and actions
Storms, mist, and eerie weather
- Gothic literature often uses storms, mist, and eerie weather to create an atmosphere of mystery, danger, and the supernatural
- In "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley, the stormy weather reflects the characters' inner turmoil and the creation of the monster
- "Dracula" by Bram Stoker uses mist and fog to create a sense of unease and to conceal the presence of the vampire
- The weather can be seen as a manifestation of the supernatural forces at work and the characters' psychological states
Supernatural beings vs human characters
- Gothic literature often features conflicts and interactions between and human characters
- These encounters serve to explore the boundaries between the natural and the supernatural, the human and the inhuman
- The supernatural beings can be seen as manifestations of human desires, fears, and moral struggles
Monstrous transformations and hybridity
- Gothic works often feature characters who undergo monstrous transformations or exhibit hybrid natures, blurring the line between the human and the inhuman
- In "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley, the creature is a hybrid of human and inhuman elements, reflecting the consequences of transgressing natural boundaries
- "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" by Robert Louis Stevenson features a character who transforms into a monstrous version of himself
- These transformations and hybrids can be seen as a reflection of the characters' inner conflicts and the duality of human nature
Seduction and temptation by supernatural entities
- Supernatural beings in Gothic literature often use seduction and temptation to lure human characters into moral decay or damnation
- In "The Monk" by Matthew Lewis, the demon Matilda seduces Ambrosio and leads him into a path of sin and corruption
- "Carmilla" by Sheridan Le Fanu features a vampire who seduces and preys on young women, representing the fear of female sexuality and power
- The seduction and temptation by supernatural entities reflect the characters' repressed desires and the struggle between virtue and vice
Battles between good and evil
- Gothic works often depict battles between good and evil, with supernatural beings representing the forces of darkness and human characters representing the forces of light
- In "Dracula" by Bram Stoker, the human characters band together to fight against the vampire and the threat he poses to humanity
- "The Monk" by Matthew Lewis features a battle between the forces of good and evil, with the protagonist caught in between
- These battles can be seen as a reflection of the characters' inner moral struggles and the fight against the darkness within themselves
Questioning the nature of humanity
- The interactions between supernatural beings and human characters in Gothic literature often raise questions about the nature of humanity and what it means to be human
- In "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley, the creature's struggle for acceptance and understanding challenges the boundaries of what constitutes humanity
- "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Brontë uses the supernatural to explore the depths of human passion, cruelty, and the consequences of social and moral transgressions
- The supernatural elements serve to highlight the complexities of human nature and the thin line between the human and the inhuman
Impact of the supernatural in Gothic literature
- The supernatural in Gothic literature has had a lasting impact on readers and the literary world
- The use of supernatural elements allows authors to explore the darker aspects of human nature, challenge societal norms, and evoke strong emotional responses
- The supernatural in Gothic works continues to influence and shape the horror, fantasy, and mystery genres
Evoking terror and horror in readers
- Gothic literature uses the supernatural to evoke feelings of terror and horror in readers, tapping into primal fears and the unknown
- Works like "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe and "The Turn of the Screw" by Henry James create a sense of unease and fear through the use of supernatural elements
- The supernatural allows authors to explore the psychology of fear and the impact it has on characters and readers alike
- The evocation of terror and horror serves to engage readers emotionally and create a visceral response to the works
Challenging Enlightenment rationality and order
- The supernatural in Gothic literature challenges the Enlightenment ideals of rationality, order, and the primacy of reason
- Works like "The Castle of Otranto" by Horace Walpole and "The Monk" by Matthew Lewis subvert the idea of a rational, orderly world by introducing supernatural elements
- The supernatural represents the irrational, the chaotic, and the uncontrollable aspects of human experience
- By challenging , Gothic literature explores the limitations of human understanding and the power of the unknown
Exploring forbidden knowledge and secrets
- Gothic works often use the supernatural to explore the consequences of pursuing forbidden knowledge and uncovering secrets
- In "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley, Victor Frankenstein's pursuit of the secret of creating life leads to disastrous consequences
- "The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde uses the supernatural to explore the consequences of Dorian's pursuit of eternal youth and the corruption of his soul
- The exploration of forbidden knowledge and secrets reflects the Gothic tradition's interest in transgression and the dangers of crossing moral and natural boundaries
Subverting societal norms and conventions
- The supernatural in Gothic literature often serves to subvert and challenge societal norms, conventions, and taboos
- Works like "Carmilla" by Sheridan Le Fanu and "The Monk" by Matthew Lewis use the supernatural to explore themes of sexuality, gender, and power
- "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Brontë uses the supernatural to challenge the conventions of love, class, and social order
- By subverting societal norms, Gothic literature reflects the anxieties and tensions of the times and provides a space for the exploration of alternative perspectives and desires
Key Terms to Review (32)
Ann Radcliffe: Ann Radcliffe was a prominent English author known for her influential Gothic novels in the late 18th century. Her work often combined elements of the supernatural and psychological exploration, establishing her as a pivotal figure in the Gothic tradition and the broader Romantic movement.
Curses: Curses are expressions or utterances that invoke supernatural powers to bring misfortune or harm upon an individual or entity. These malevolent words often reflect deep-seated emotions such as anger, jealousy, or vengeance, and are frequently tied to the beliefs in the supernatural and the uncanny, where unseen forces can influence the world around us.
Dark forests: Dark forests symbolize the unknown, fear, and mystery often present in literature, especially relating to themes of the supernatural and uncanny. These forests serve as metaphors for the human psyche, representing internal struggles, fears, and the confrontation with the uncanny aspects of existence. In narratives, they often act as settings where characters face challenges that blur the lines between reality and the supernatural.
Doppelgangers: Doppelgangers are typically described as ghostly doubles or look-alikes of a person, often symbolizing a split in identity or the uncanny aspects of the self. This concept evokes feelings of unease and confrontation with one’s own identity, drawing attention to the duality that exists within human nature. They are commonly found in literature and folklore, serving as manifestations of inner turmoil, psychological conflict, or the supernatural.
Dracula: Dracula is a novel written by Bram Stoker, published in 1897, that tells the story of Count Dracula's attempt to move from Transylvania to England to spread the undead curse. The work is central to the Gothic genre and intertwines themes of nature, the supernatural, and the uncanny, reflecting the anxieties of Victorian society regarding sexuality, science, and the unknown. Its exploration of dark themes and complex characters connects deeply with the ideas of nature and the sublime, while also exemplifying characteristics of both Gothic and Romantic literature.
Edgar Allan Poe: Edgar Allan Poe was an American writer, poet, editor, and literary critic best known for his macabre and gothic tales. His work significantly contributed to the development of the Gothic genre and the exploration of supernatural themes, which often evoke feelings of the uncanny and the grotesque.
Enlightenment Rationality: Enlightenment rationality refers to the intellectual movement during the 17th and 18th centuries that emphasized reason, scientific inquiry, and individualism as the primary sources of authority and legitimacy. This movement promoted critical thinking and challenged traditional beliefs, including religious dogma and superstitions, leading to a shift in how humans understand the world around them. It fundamentally influenced literature by encouraging themes of skepticism towards the supernatural and an emphasis on human experience and observation.
Fear of the unknown: Fear of the unknown refers to the anxiety and apprehension that arise when faced with uncertainty or unfamiliar situations. This concept often manifests in literature, particularly in relation to supernatural elements and uncanny experiences, where characters confront what they cannot fully understand or predict, heightening their emotional responses and the overall tension in the narrative.
Folklore: Folklore refers to the collection of traditional beliefs, customs, stories, songs, and practices that are passed down through generations, often reflecting the culture and identity of a community. It encompasses a wide range of expressive forms, including myths, legends, folktales, and rituals, serving as a means of preserving and transmitting cultural heritage. In the context of the supernatural and the uncanny, folklore often includes elements that blur the lines between reality and imagination, allowing communities to explore their fears, beliefs, and moral values through storytelling.
Frankenstein: Frankenstein is a novel written by Mary Shelley, first published in 1818, that tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a scientist who creates a sentient creature through unorthodox scientific experiments. The novel delves into themes of imagination and creativity, as it explores the boundaries of human ambition and the consequences of playing God.
Ghosts: Ghosts are supernatural entities often associated with the souls of deceased individuals who have not found peace or closure. They are commonly depicted in literature and folklore as haunting places, people, or events, embodying themes of memory, loss, and the uncanny. This concept not only evokes fear but also prompts deeper reflections on life and death, emphasizing the thin line between the living and the dead.
Gothic literature: Gothic literature is a genre characterized by its exploration of horror, the supernatural, and the grotesque, often set against dark and foreboding landscapes. This genre typically delves into themes of madness, decay, and the uncanny, creating an atmosphere that evokes fear and suspense. Gothic literature connects deeply with the Romantic movement, as it emphasizes emotion and individual experience while incorporating elements of nature's sublime terror.
Haunted castles: Haunted castles refer to ancient, often dilapidated fortresses or palaces believed to be inhabited by ghosts or supernatural entities. These structures serve as a backdrop for eerie tales and legends, where the past intertwines with the present, creating a sense of mystery and unease. Haunted castles evoke feelings of the uncanny and highlight the struggle between reality and the supernatural, making them a staple in gothic literature and storytelling.
Labyrinthine passages: Labyrinthine passages refer to intricate and confusing networks of pathways or corridors, often evoking feelings of disorientation and entrapment. This concept is frequently linked to themes of the supernatural and the uncanny, where characters navigate through spaces that seem to defy logic, contributing to a sense of mystery and unease.
Matthew Lewis: Matthew Lewis was an English novelist and playwright known primarily for his 1796 Gothic novel 'The Monk,' which is a seminal work in the Gothic genre. His writing often explored themes of the supernatural, seduction, and moral decay, connecting deeply with the uncanny aspects of human experience. Lewis's works significantly influenced both the Gothic and Romantic movements, leaving a lasting legacy that shaped the development of Gothic literature into the Victorian era.
Monstrosity: Monstrosity refers to the condition of being a monster or having monstrous qualities, often characterized by abnormal physical features or behavior that evoke fear, disgust, or other strong emotional responses. In literature, it connects to themes of the supernatural and the uncanny by challenging societal norms and expectations about humanity, identity, and the limits of nature.
Omen: An omen is a phenomenon or event that is interpreted as a sign or warning of future events, often with a supernatural or mystical significance. Omens can appear in various forms, including natural occurrences, dreams, or specific actions that are thought to predict good or bad fortune. The interpretation of omens connects deeply to the supernatural and uncanny, as they often evoke feelings of dread or wonder about fate and destiny.
Prophecies: Prophecies are predictions or declarations about future events, often attributed to divine inspiration or supernatural insight. In literature, they serve as powerful narrative devices that can foreshadow events, create suspense, and explore themes of fate and free will. Prophecies frequently intersect with the supernatural and the uncanny, as they invoke forces beyond human understanding and challenge characters' perceptions of reality.
Romanticism: Romanticism was an artistic, literary, and intellectual movement that originated in the late 18th century and emphasized emotion, individualism, and the beauty of nature. It arose as a response to the rationalism of the Enlightenment and the constraints of Neoclassicism, celebrating personal experience and imagination as key components of creativity.
Sigmund Freud: Sigmund Freud was an Austrian neurologist and the founder of psychoanalysis, a method for treating mental illness and understanding human behavior through the exploration of the unconscious mind. His theories about the mind, dreams, and repression have had a profound influence on literature, particularly in how characters and narratives can embody psychological conflict and the uncanny. Freud's ideas about the uncanny, in particular, emphasize how familiar objects or situations can evoke feelings of unease when they become strange or distorted.
Supernatural beings: Supernatural beings refer to entities that transcend the laws of nature and possess abilities beyond human comprehension, often associated with mystical or otherworldly powers. These beings frequently evoke feelings of wonder, fear, or the uncanny, challenging the boundaries of reality and prompting exploration into themes of existence, morality, and the human psyche.
Superstition: Superstition refers to beliefs or practices that arise from a fear of the unknown or a distrust of the natural order, often involving rituals or omens thought to influence fate. It is deeply intertwined with human psychology and cultural traditions, frequently manifesting in societal norms and personal behaviors that reject rational explanation. Superstitions often draw on the supernatural, leading individuals to believe in unseen forces that govern their lives, thus connecting to themes of the uncanny and the eerie that permeate literature.
The Castle of Otranto: The Castle of Otranto is a Gothic novel written by Horace Walpole in 1764, widely recognized as the first work in the genre. It blends elements of the supernatural, medieval settings, and psychological horror, making it a foundational text for later Gothic literature. Its themes and stylistic choices greatly influenced both the Romantic movement and subsequent Victorian literature, showcasing the intersection of terror and emotion.
The Monk: The Monk is a Gothic novel written by Matthew Gregory Lewis, first published in 1796, which explores themes of forbidden desires, the supernatural, and moral decay. This work exemplifies the tension between religious and sexual desire, featuring a protagonist who embodies the conflict between rationality and emotional impulse, making it a pivotal text in the evolution of the Gothic genre and its connection to Romanticism.
The sublime: The sublime refers to a quality of greatness or vastness that inspires awe, often associated with nature, art, and human experience. It evokes feelings of beauty intertwined with fear or overwhelming emotion, pushing the boundaries of human perception and understanding.
The Tell-Tale Heart: The Tell-Tale Heart is a short story by Edgar Allan Poe that delves into the mind of an unnamed narrator who insists on their sanity while describing the murder they committed. This story illustrates themes of guilt, madness, and the supernatural, showcasing the uncanny ability of the mind to perceive reality differently when affected by psychological disturbance. The tension between the narrator's sanity and their actions enhances the sense of horror and the supernatural throughout the tale.
The uncanny: The uncanny refers to a psychological experience where something is strangely familiar yet foreign, causing feelings of unease or discomfort. It often manifests in literature and art through the blurring of reality and the supernatural, evoking a sense of dread and intrigue. This term connects deeply with themes of the supernatural, Gothic elements, and the emotional responses elicited by the Romantic movement.
The Yellow Wallpaper: The Yellow Wallpaper is a short story written by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, first published in 1892. It explores themes of mental illness and the oppression of women through the lens of a woman who becomes increasingly disturbed by the patterns in the wallpaper of her confinement. This narrative evokes a sense of the supernatural and the uncanny as the protagonist's descent into madness blurs the lines between reality and hallucination, highlighting the societal constraints placed upon women.
Vampires: Vampires are mythical creatures often depicted as undead beings that feed on the blood of the living to sustain their immortality. They embody both fear and fascination, representing deeper anxieties about death, sexuality, and the unknown. In literature and folklore, vampires serve as a powerful symbol of the supernatural and the uncanny, challenging the boundaries between life and death, reality and illusion.
Victorian Morality: Victorian morality refers to the set of values, beliefs, and social norms that emerged during the Victorian era in Britain, characterized by a strong emphasis on propriety, sexual restraint, and a strict code of conduct. This moral framework influenced various aspects of society, including literature, where themes of morality, gender roles, and societal expectations were prominently explored. It shaped not only personal behavior but also public discourse on issues like sexuality and class, creating a backdrop against which many literary works were set.
Witches: Witches are individuals, often women, who are believed to possess supernatural powers or engage in practices associated with magic, sorcery, or the occult. Historically, witches were often viewed as both feared and fascinating figures within society, embodying the tension between the known and the unknown, and frequently becoming targets of persecution during times of social upheaval.
Wuthering Heights: Wuthering Heights is a novel by Emily Brontë, published in 1847, that explores complex themes of passion, revenge, and the darker aspects of love against the backdrop of the Yorkshire moors. The novel's emotional intensity and its focus on individual characters' inner struggles reflect the Romantic ideals of emotion and individualism. It also delves into the uncanny and supernatural elements that permeate the narrative, contributing to its Gothic atmosphere and showcasing the unique voice of a Victorian woman writer.