Cinderella and "Lois the Witch"

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.

When I think of a "Cinderella Story" I think of a rags to riches story, or someone who is oppressed rising above and living happily ever after. In regards to Lois the Witch there are similar themes, such as, the prince, evil step mother (Aunt), wicked step sisters, and the loving father who dies (or both parents and uncle). But I think that is the end of the similarities, because Lois' is oppressed until the end of her life and it is only after she is dead that the prince comes to rescue her. No one in the story lives happily ever after, they are all living with guilt, unhappiness, and regret. I think Elizabeth Gaskell is making a point that life is not a fairy tale and there is not always a happy ending. Life is unfair and you can't expect someone else to save you.

Novels

Do you see any value in reading novels? Do novels have anything to teach us about society? (Hint: research Uncle Tom's Cabin). Does it work as a mirror, giving us a reflection of ourselves (society) in which we may see flaws? Can literature move a society to change? Can you think of any novels that have changed your life or changed the way you view society (current or historical)?


I think that reading novels is a great way to escape reality. It allows your imagination to create a picture in your head of what is going on in the story, and live that story out. Novels also let you see things from another perspective. I believe that some novels show us what society values and they sometimes teach meaningful lessons that are timeless. It is cool to be able to read a story from a different time period and see how things have changed for the better or worse. Like "To Kill A Mockingbird" or even "The Castle of Otranto." Novels definitely work like a mirror and reflect society. In what we have read so far in class that is fairly obvious, especially in regards to gender roles of the time and the people's view of government. Even the stories written that take place in the future deal with social values and political issues. I think it would be hard for any author not to allow what is happening in society to affect their writing, because their own beliefs are molded by the times. I can't think of a novel that has changed the way I view society but I am sure that I have been influenced in little ways many times through reading novels.

"The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" and Freud.

3. How does Stevenson anticipate Freud? In what ways do you see J & H as a perfect study for psychoanalysis?

Stevenson anticipates Freud by demonstrating two sides to human nature. The good, Dr. Jekyll, and the evil, Mr. Hyde. As Dr. Jekyll describes, "I now had two characters as well as two appearance, one wholly evil, and the other was still the old Henry Jekyll...(pg111)" Freud defined three parts to human nature, id, ego, and superego. In the case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde; the first would represent ego and superego the side of humans that is concerned with morality, experiences guilt, and reason, while Mr. Hyde would represent id, the impulsive, self gratifying, and amoral. Dr. Jekyll experiences guilt for Mr. Hyde's actions, knowing that they are also his actions. When he stays in the form of Jekyll for the last two months he tries to help others. Mr. Hyde is only concerned about himself, his desires, and self preservation. He only allows Jekyll to take over the last two months to keep from being arrested. 

Role of Women in Castle of Otranto

1. Take a feminist point of view and blog your ideas about the role of women in the text's setting. What options do women have? Are these options reasonable considering the time period? What concerns do characters have for women's feelings? Speculate as to Walpole's views about women.

In The Castle of Otranto, Walpole depicts the women in the story as weak, pious, and eager for the approval of men. This follows the way women were expected to be during that time period. However, I feel that Walpole exaggerates these ideals. For example," Hippolita needed little persuasions to bend her to his pleasure (pg 89)." Matilda forgives her father for murdering her. She even takes some of the blame when she says that she had promised her mother not to see Theodore any more and that it must be her punishment. Women are used as bargaining chips, with no thought to what they might want leaving them no options other than what their father or husband demands of them. Manfred's desire to divorce a loving wife in order to marry Isabella so that she might give him a son. And later Manfred offers Matilda to Frederic so that his family will still have rights to Otranto. The only time women are shown with some independence is when Isabella is running away, or when Matilda helps Theodore escape, otherwise they are fainting or begging for forgiveness from the men. Jerome and Theodore are the only men with concern for the women's wellbeing and desires. I feel that Walpole would share the same behaivor towards women as Theodore does, because he depicts Manfred as a tyrant and ridiculous. I think his exaggeration of the characteristics of women mocks the time period.

Letter of Introduction

Hello there, 

My name is Kelsey. I am from Oklahoma City, OK, and have lived there my entire life. I love it there. I am a Junior at TCU and will graduate in December 2010 with a B.S. in Nutrition. I play on the TCU Women's Soccer team. I am not very familiar with Gothic Literature, but did cover it some in High school. It is not one of the genres I am extremely interested in, but am open to seeing what it's all about.

I read, understand, and agree to the terms of the course syllabus.