The story “The secret Chamber” is a best example of gothic story and style. First, the description of the setting has the characteristics of the gothic environment. The story develops in a castle. In castle Gowrie, and more specifically in a mysterious chamber. The castle has passageways, many rooms and doors forming labyrinths that involve a gothic and creepy atmosphere. Secondly, and according to the Victorian gothic, the gothic develops in a domestic space with family intrigues and problems around. In the case of “The Secret Chamber”, the mystery of the chamber involves some generations of a family possibly of a monarchy, such as the Earl of Gowrie, the Earl Robert and the Randolphs. Another interesting point in the story is the fact that a brave character is the only one who can face the unknown. Lindores has the characteristics to enter to the chamber and face whatever thing is there. He is honest, intelligent and brave. Features that might attract even the supernatural. The psychological element is also part of the story. Lindores talks in several occasions about cerebration and delusion, trying to explain the seen and the unseen by something that generates his mind. This means that he tries to convince himself that everything might be his imagination produced by his brain. It is necessary to emphasize in the elements of suspense in the story. As I mentioned before the physical elements of the gothic such as the passageways and the rooms generate so much fear, especially the door to get in to the secret chamber. The door represents the passage of the unknown to find out what happens with that mysterious place, and if all the rumors said so far in the family are true. Moreover, events take place at night when the environment is stillness and dark, so it is the accurate moment to face supernatural moments. In addition, Lindores is the character that enables us to experiment real fear as readers. Through his description of physical sensations, we realize what one can feel to be in front of a ghost or spirit or another supernatural element. Lindores describes perfectly the shiver, the inconsistent breath and the heart beats. Finally, one can say that the end of the story is a kind of open ending because the narrator leaves to the readers the decision to think about what happened with Lindores and the mystery inside the secret chamber and everything he lived there.
Regarding the psychological element, if the family curse is produced by the imagination, one can assume that the reason why the family curse was broken was that Lindores had the will of not being controlled by his delusions. This leads us to the fact that fears only make sense if one's mind allows them to take place.
I really enjoyed Sofia's blog because she does an excellent job at pinpointing common Gothic elements in this but in all Gothic texts in general. I agree with both Sofia and Arturo's comments about the psychological aspect of the story and of the protagonist's close involvement with the evil Earl.
I like what Arturo said about imagination because as the story says, Lindores was a very educated, but also an intelligent young man. Maybe that is why he is not controlled by delusions. So, in some way, he could control his mind, and he did not let the fear go inside his thoughts.
The story “The secret Chamber” is a best example of gothic story and style. First, the description of the setting has the characteristics of the gothic environment. The story develops in a castle. In castle Gowrie, and more specifically in a mysterious chamber. The castle has passageways, many rooms and doors forming labyrinths that involve a gothic and creepy atmosphere. Secondly, and according to the Victorian gothic, the gothic develops in a domestic space with family intrigues and problems around. In the case of “The Secret Chamber”, the mystery of the chamber involves some generations of a family possibly of a monarchy, such as the Earl of Gowrie, the Earl Robert and the Randolphs.
ReplyDeleteAnother interesting point in the story is the fact that a brave character is the only one who can face the unknown. Lindores has the characteristics to enter to the chamber and face whatever thing is there. He is honest, intelligent and brave. Features that might attract even the supernatural.
The psychological element is also part of the story. Lindores talks in several occasions about cerebration and delusion, trying to explain the seen and the unseen by something that generates his mind. This means that he tries to convince himself that everything might be his imagination produced by his brain.
It is necessary to emphasize in the elements of suspense in the story. As I mentioned before the physical elements of the gothic such as the passageways and the rooms generate so much fear, especially the door to get in to the secret chamber. The door represents the passage of the unknown to find out what happens with that mysterious place, and if all the rumors said so far in the family are true. Moreover, events take place at night when the environment is stillness and dark, so it is the accurate moment to face supernatural moments. In addition, Lindores is the character that enables us to experiment real fear as readers. Through his description of physical sensations, we realize what one can feel to be in front of a ghost or spirit or another supernatural element. Lindores describes perfectly the shiver, the inconsistent breath and the heart beats.
Finally, one can say that the end of the story is a kind of open ending because the narrator leaves to the readers the decision to think about what happened with Lindores and the mystery inside the secret chamber and everything he lived there.
Regarding the psychological element, if the family curse is produced by the imagination, one can assume that the reason why the family curse was broken was that Lindores had the will of not being controlled by his delusions. This leads us to the fact that fears only make sense if one's mind allows them to take place.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed Sofia's blog because she does an excellent job at pinpointing common Gothic elements in this but in all Gothic texts in general. I agree with both Sofia and Arturo's comments about the psychological aspect of the story and of the protagonist's close involvement with the evil Earl.
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ReplyDeleteI like what Arturo said about imagination because as the story says, Lindores was a very educated, but also an intelligent young man. Maybe that is why he is not controlled by delusions. So, in some way, he could control his mind, and he did not let the fear go inside his thoughts.
ReplyDelete