Ann Radcliffe & Lewis' The Monk
English Lit: OCR A Level Dracula, topic 1.3.1
Gothic 'Terror' - Ann Radcliffe
Instilling fear in the reader an essential part of Gothic literature, building on the Sublime (awe-inspiring) power of nature, as depicted in the Romantic movement.
Ann Radcliffe
- Ann Radcliffe was a successful 18th-century Gothic writer whose narratives relied on the successful evocation of terror amongst her readers.
- Radcliffe never explicitly describes dreadful objects; she evokes the supernatural indirectly only to explain it away at the narrative’s resolution.
The Mysteries of Udolpho
- One famous example occurs at the end of The Mysteries of Udolpho in which a mysterious black veil appears to hide some gruesome, dark secret.
- Typically terrified, the female protagonist approaches, draws back the veil and collapses in fright.
- It is then revealed that this object of terror is only a wax mannequin.
Critical analysis of Radcliffe
- Gothic literature expert Sue Chaplin notes how many of Radcliffe's readers grew frustrated at Radcliffean ‘terror' and hoped for something truly supernatural.
- Scottish novelist Walter Scott, who was a real admirer of her writing, confessed that the "reader feels tricked" by Radcliffe’s insistence of always having a rational explanation for the seemingly supernatural events.
Gothic 'Horror' - The Monk
No-one was more frustrated by Radcliffean terror than Matthew Lewis who wrote the infamous Gothic novel The Monk in response to Ann Radcliffe’s reluctance to depict anything truly shocking.
Influence on genre
- The Monk gave rise to the sub-genre, now synonymous with the Gothic, of ‘horror’.
The Monk plot (part 1)
- Ambrosio, a monk of a monastery in Madrid, is seduced by Matilda, a diabolical woman who has entered the monastery.
- Ambrosio then plots the rape of one of his charges, Antonia. His first attempt is foiled at the last minute by Antonia's mother, Elvira, whom Ambrosio strangles.
- His second attempt, in which he is successful, ends with the fatal stabbing of Antonia.
The Monk plot (part 2)
- Both Ambrosio and Matilda are brought before the Inquisition. Matilda confesses her guilt and is condemned to be burned to death. Ambrosio insists on his innocence and is tortured.
- In his cell, he is visited by a vision of Matilda, who tries to convince him to completely yield his soul to Lucifer as she has. Ambrosio eventually agrees and requests that Lucifer saves his life. Lucifer tells him it will be at the cost of his soul.
The Monk plot (part 3)
- Lucifer informs him that Elvira was his mother, making Antonia his sister, adding to his crimes the sin of incest.
- Lucifer reveals that it has long been his plan to gain Ambrosio's soul, and Matilda was his servant in the process.
- Lucifer then carries Ambrosio up and drops him on the rocks below.
- Ambrosio suffers for six days, dying alone and damned for eternity.
Test yourself on Ann Radcliffe & Lewis' The Monk
What appears to hide a dark secret at the end of The Mysteries of Udolpho?
Who does Ambrosio plot to rape in The Monk?