![]() It is a remarkable realization, that the entire narrative is dependent on the hands of a woman. Metatextual Twists: Here’s Looking at You, Reader Still, there is more: in the general complexity of the plot, with stories within stories and horrifying events easily attracting all the attention, few readers realize the importance of Margaret for the narrative: “s the designated recipient of her brother’s writings, she will ultimately hold Robert’s letters which contain Victor’s story which contains the monster’s story which includes the story of the DeLacy’s ” (Ibid, 84). 83).Īlthough Walton never receives any letter from her, she still seems to affect and influence his thoughts. “The Ghost of a Self: Female Identity in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein”. Margaret “exists for the reader beyond Walton as some faceless, incorporeal other who serves as a high tribunal” (Dickerson, Vanessa D. Not only is Margaret Saville entirely absent from the Gothic narrative, but like a true ghost she seems to haunt Walton’s trip in many ways. And yet, there is an immense weight of symbolism in this Gothic character. She does not appear anywhere in the novel in person, and exists only as a ghostly recipient of the letters sent by her brother, Robert Walton. The character of Margaret Saville really… isn’t. The same can be said about the character of Belle from Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol or the character of Quincey P. And even if they do, they don’t really recall anything particular about her. Even people who have read Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, probably can’t quite remember who Margaret Saville is. The characters I analyze in this article are, generally speaking, not very well known except by advanced readers of the texts in question. Gothic Characters: Secrets, Lies, and some Metatextuality ![]() Without further delay, let’s begin our list. Forgive my somewhat assuming title, but whereas many know of Count Dracula and some might know there is something odd (indeed queer) about his sexuality, how many could claim to know the secrets around, say, the character of Quincey Morris? Gothic characters are what makes a narrative Gothic ![]() In today’s article I’d like to show you a sample of just how many secrets Gothic characters might hide. *read my article on the differences between Gothic, horror and science fiction Gothic characters are merely manifestations of our own fears, both personal and social. Individual… species might come and go – vampires were trendy couple of decades ago, then we had zombies – but the fact remains: Gothic and horror fiction * will remain relevant, reflecting inner human fears. Gothic works seem to be as undead as the characters parading through them.
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