Styler, Rebecca (2010) The problem of 'evil' in Elizabeth Gaskell's Gothic tales. Gothic Studies, 12 (1). pp. 33-50. ISSN 1362-7937

PDF 55442704.pdf - Whole Document Restricted to Repository staff only Download (116Kb)

Abstract

Elizabeth Gaskell uses Gothic as a symbolic language to explore the dark side of Unitarian thought. She explores, in rationalist terms, evil's origins, effects and remedy, using Gothic tropes as metaphors for humanly created misery. Gaskell locates the roots of 'evil' in an unenlightened social order, and its remedy in self-sacrifical giving which reverses the effects of injustice. The article studies 'The Crooked Branch' and 'The Poor Clare', with some reference to 'Lois the Witch'. The social and familial construction of evil are addressed, as well as tensions between moral determinism and personal responsibility, and Gaskell's attitudes to salvation theology and aspects of Roman Catholicism.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Elizabeth Gaskell uses Gothic as a symbolic language to explore the dark side of Unitarian thought. She explores, in rationalist terms, evil's origins, effects and remedy, using Gothic tropes as metaphors for humanly created misery. Gaskell locates the roots of 'evil' in an unenlightened social order, and its remedy in self-sacrifical giving which reverses the effects of injustice. The article studies 'The Crooked Branch' and 'The Poor Clare', with some reference to 'Lois the Witch'. The social and familial construction of evil are addressed, as well as tensions between moral determinism and personal responsibility, and Gaskell's attitudes to salvation theology and aspects of Roman Catholicism.
Keywords:	Elizabeth Gaskell, Gothic story, Unitarianism, Roman Catholicism, rationalism, nineteenth-century theology, ref29, refsubscription
Subjects:	Q Linguistics, Classics and related subjects > Q320 English Literature Q Linguistics, Classics and related subjects > Q322 English Literature by author V Historical and Philosophical studies > V600 Theology and Religious studies
Divisions:	College of Arts > Faculty of Media, Humanities & Performance > Lincoln School of Humanities
Depositing User:	Rebecca Styler
Date Deposited:	21 Mar 2011 16:22
Last Modified:	03 May 2013 14:26
URI:	http://eprints.lincoln.ac.uk/id/eprint/4279

Actions (login required)

View Item