The Role Of Families In Gothic Literature

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Gothic literature explains a lot about the state of the family that typically can not be spoken about in other genres. The genre shows how several family relationships are unhealthy and harmful to the people in them. This state of family includes different relationships such as marriages, parent child relationships, and several others. A huge problem with the families in gothic literature is that there a several lack emotional connection, communication, and generally treating people like human beings who have emotions and need love. “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Stetson describes how the narrator’s marriage drove her insane because of the lack of communication and the husband’s constant belittlement. D.H.Lawrence’s gothic short …show more content…

The narrator has a “nervous condition” which her husband, who is “a physician of high standing” does not think she has (Stetson 648). Her husband, John, continuously belittles her opinions and thoughts. He thinks he know what’s best for her and controls everything she does. This constant belittlement and ignoring of her emotions cause a very toxic controlling relationship. As the story progresses, the narrator slowly goes insane from lack of stimulation and healthy contact with people. She starts to focus on the wallpaper in her room to the that extent that she sees a “woman behind shakes it” (Stetson 654). This drives her even more insane as time progresses. John never allowing her to do anything causes her to lose her mind which causes him to pass out from shock when he finally sees her. This harmful relationship is typical of the gothic genre as it is showing what is wrong with certain familial relationships and overall the state of families. Marriages like this were normal during the 1900s and as such this short story brought that to light. This story truly shows how the gothic genre brings light to the harmful nature of family in certain relationships and why the gothic genre is very good at doing

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