Spatial Configurations In Women’s Gothic Fiction

 A new Turkish Brontë-related thesis:

Spatial Configurations In Women’s Gothic Fiction: Ann Radcliffe’s The Mysteries Of Udolpho, Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre, And Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca 

by Meltem Vardal Özkutlu 

Ankara University, 2024

This dissertation aims to investigate the portrayal of the gothic setting in female gothic fiction by analysing three specific literary works, namely The Mysteries of Udolpho, Jane Eyre, and Rebecca, within a feminist framework. Drawing on Bakhtin’s chronotope theory, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of time and space, it seeks to explore how the castle as the core element in the genre due to its consistent presence, and its related spaces contribute to the protagonists’ autonomy in these works. Written in different historical periods, these works have been influenced by the cultural and social contexts of their respective times, reflecting Bakhtin’s concept of the dynamic nature of chronotopes that can evolve over time. Within the realm of women’s gothic fiction, the castle chronotope, which originated from Radcliffe’s contributions to the genre, has undergone a notable transformation. Initially depicted as a menacing, grand, and intricate architectural entity, as can be seen in Radcliffe’s castle Udolpho, it has gradually shifted towards more realistic and contemporary depictions over time. This domesticated form of the gothic castle can be seen in Jane Eyre and Rebecca, where its less intricate design prompts the protagonists to seek freedom in open spaces. This evolution has also impacted the strategies employed by protagonists to navigate these environments, as evidenced by their diverse interactions with the evolving castle structures in the selected works. This dissertation argues that contrary to traditional interpretations that perceive the gothic castle as a place of fear that limits female characters to submissive roles and consents to supposedly happy marriages, when examined through Bakhtin's theoretical framework, the gothic castle emerges as spaces of female empowerment. The castle, with its architectural design, both physically and mentally empowers the protagonists, motivating them to pursue knowledge and challenge their predefined roles within oppressive male-dominated settings. As the female protagonists in the selected works traverse and engage with these changing spaces, they transcend their assigned roles, breaking free from patriarchal restrictions to reveal more intricate identities. Consequently, the dissertation reinscribes the gothic castle not merely as a backdrop but as a significant element in advancing feminist discourse within women’s gothic literature.