The Use of Space in Gothic Fiction

Bc. Veronika Majlingová

Master's thesis

Abstract:

Diplomová práca sa zaoberá využitím priestoru v gotických románoch. Úvodná kapitola rozoberá spojenie medzi rannými gotickými románmi a neogotickým hnutím v architektúre v Británii v osemnástom storočí. Ďalšia kapitola načrtáva rozdelenie literárneho priestoru na dve sféry a medznú zónu. Nasleduje analýza najdôležitejších fyzických priestorov patriacich do jednej z dvoch uvedených sfér: dom, zámok a mesto. Analyzované sú nasledovné romány: Otrantský zámok od Horaca Walpola, Talian od Ann Radcliffovej, Ponurý dom od Charlesa Dickensa a Podivný prípad doktora Jekylla a pána Hyda od R. L. Stevensona.

Abstract:

This thesis is concerned with the use of space in Gothic fiction. The introductory chapter explores the connection between early Gothic novels and the Gothic Revival in architecture in the eighteenth-century Britain. Then, the division of literary space into two spheres and a liminal zone is outlined. Finally, there is the analysis of the most important physical spaces belonging to either sphere: the house, the castle, and the city. The novels analysed in the thesis are: The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole, The Italian by Ann Radcliffe, Bleak House by Charles Dickens, and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Keywords

Gothic, Gothic Revival, space, spatiality, liminal, Otranto, Walpole, Italian, Radcliffe, Bleak House, Dickens, Jekyll, Stevenson

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 16. 5. 2011

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 16. 6. 2011
• Supervisor: Bonita Rhoads

Masaryk University

Faculty of Arts

Master programme / field:
Philology / English Language and Literature