FEATURES OF GOTHIC LITERATURE IN “JANE EYRE” BY CHARLOTTE BRONTE
Keywords:
Gothic literature, “Jane Eyre”, Charlotte Bronte, Victorian fiction, Gothic conventions, supernatural, mystery, isolation, identity, psychological complexity, Thornfield Hall, Mr. Rochester, feminism, social critique, Romanticism, realism, uncanny, atmosphere, moral autonomy, genre subversion, narrative tension.Abstract
This thesis examines the Gothic elements in Charlotte Bronte’s “Jane Eyre”, focusing on how the novel uses and challenges traditional Gothic features. Set in Victorian England, the story blends horror, mystery, and psychological depth, with key Gothic themes such as isolation, the uncanny, and the clash between reason and madness. Through settings like the mysterious Thornfield Hall and the enigmatic Mr. Rochester, Bronte reworks Gothic tropes, adding layers of feminist and social critique. This thesis argues that the Gothic elements in “Jane Eyre” not only create suspense but also deepen the novel’s exploration of identity, power, and moral choices. By combining Gothic with Romantic and realist themes, “Jane Eyre” stands out as a unique narrative that both follows and pushes the boundaries of the genre to explore larger social and personal issues.
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