Re-imagining the triumph of Eliza Parsons’ heroines in The Castle of Wolfenbach: a metanarrative of feminism in late 18th century Gothic literature

Abstract

[eng] The early Gothic marks a dramatic shift of paradigms, capturing the fears and anxieties of late 18th-century English society. Originating as a response to the Enlightenment and its emphasis on reason, the Gothic genre explores the darker aspects of human experience, reflecting societal tensions and uncertainties. In Eliza Parsons’ The Castle of Wolfenbach (1793), supernatural elements subtly portray the precarious living conditions of women under patriarchy and denounce them by elevating women’s voices. This research project inquires into the “heroicity” of Matilda, the novel’s protagonist, focusing on her pursuit of agency and its significant impact on Victoria, the Countess of Wolfenbach. It examines the interconnected stories of these female characters, emphasising sisterhood as a form of female empowerment. The analysis and discussion, which will be informed by defining and contrasting the early Gothic and the Female Gothic, will reflect on Beard’s concept of ‘civilly dead’, Kabeer’s definition of agency, and Mary Wollstonecraft’s advocacy for women’s rationality. The study will employ close textual analysis of the novel to draw connections between the characters’ experiences and broader feminist themes. Ultimately, it will be contended that feminist solidarity is crucial for women’s survival and resistance against paternalistic societal constraints.