Female Gothic

1. Women supporting women: How important are female relationships during the settings of Northanger Abbey, Jane Eyre and "Lois the Witch"? What happens when these female protagonists find themselves in danger? Do you think that perhaps Austen, Bronte, and Gaskell imply that women need to form not only friendships but true friendships with other women, and that women need to support each other? Do you see any instances where women do not support women? Think about the degrading remarks about governesses in Jane Eyre. Think about the witch in England (Ch. 1). Who is her accuser, yet who does she damn? Think about Lois' other accusers? In the end, does Lois ever receive comfort? (I know we have not finished Jane Eyre, but we will see that she does ultimately find female friends and begins to gain confidence in herself as man's equal.)

2. The Cinderella formula: In "Lois the Witch," do you see some sort of take on the Cinderella formula? How is the formula the same and how is it different? Is there a prince? Does he save the heroine? What message do you see women writers making women getting caught up in fairy tales--the passivity of waiting for a man to "save" them. Does beauty in weakness serve women well or does it contribute to their downfall? We'll get into this more when we finish Jane Eyre.

3. Do you note a theme of prejudice in "Lois the Witch"? Does this prejudice continue through to the end, or do you see "redemption"--changes of heart? In what areas do you see prejudice? Use examples from the text to explain your thoughts. Remember that the writer is British and the setting is America. Remember also that news travels overseas and the British have prejudices about American's as well and American prejudices.

4. Maureen T. Reddy in "Female Sexuality in 'The Poor Clare': The Demon in the House" ("The Poor Clare" is another Gaskell Gothic novella) argues that:

The witch and the demon are in fact the same being; like the female demon, the
witch is a persistent
literary image that is rooted in male fears of women. The very persistence of
these images throughout the centuries shows the power of the terror of female
sexuality, which is seen as an alien thing that must be
destroyed if society
is to survive. In the nineteenth century, the witch and the female demon are
joined by a third figure, the madwoman, whose distinguishing features are wildness and uncontrolled lust.
Elizabeth Gaskell's
use of these images is interesting not only for what it reveals about her own preoccupations, but
also for the light it casts on women's response to the
mythology of women in
Victorian culture.

Would you agree with Reddy? From our readings, what happens to women who are outspoken? Who refuse to marry where they are told? Who seek to have their own will? Has your opinions of Isabella and Matilda changed? (Remember their narrative is set in the medieval ages--hundreds of years before "Lois"). How is Lois perceived as sexual? How do men react to Lois versus the other women?

5. What statements does Gaskell make about Catholicism vs. Protestantism? About Church and State? About religious fanaticism, Calvinism (pre-destination), and unchecked religous power?

6. Gothic has been know to support disobedience to oppressive patriarchal rule, yet Lois' home appears to share authority with Manasseh (male--imagine a Southern accented "Master") and his mother "Grace" (female). Can we read "patriarchal" rule as any "parental" rule--or any authority that is opresses. Do you see the novel as allegorical?