This paper deals with the use of different spaces in the two Victorian Gothic stories "The Picture of Dorian Gray" and "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" and compares important places, houses and their meaning for the respective plots. Besides the city of London, which is the common overall setting of both novels and will be discussed in chapter 3, the paper focuses on the house as a traditional space for Gothic fiction and one of the elements that both texts have in common. Preliminarily, the character and meaning of the literal and metaphorical threshold will be made a subject of discussion.
A story's setting is an important factor for each literary work. Together with the story time it provides on the one hand a framework for the plot, on the other hand the space around which characters can move more or less freely throughout the story. Literal spaces represent the interaction of different factors, that all characterize the space: among these of course typical place descriptions like nature or architecture of buildings, but also abstract concepts like the weather, light and darkness or countless sensory impressions that a special place can offer, and of course life – human and non-human – that colonizes the space. Literary spaces, however, do not only function as places for actions and happenings but are functionalized in different ways. One purpose of space, that is especially important for Gothic fiction, is to set the mood of the story, which also implies to capture the fears and issues of the respective time and use them to create a certain atmosphere around the plot.
During the Victorian era, issues like sciences, especially psychology and the human psyche, were omnipresent. But also urbanisation and thus the metropolis and what may hide in the jungle of houses and streets aroused the fear of many Victorians. Due to this fact, and because of its demography and its great socio-political issues, London is a perfect and likewise popular setting for Victorian Gothic stories. Also Oscar Wilde and a few years later Robert Louis Stevenson chose the metropolis for their Gothic novels "The Picture of Dorian Gray" and "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde".
Table of Contents
- 1 Introduction
- 2 The threshold as a liminal space between good and evil
- 2.1 The evil crosses the border – characters and their mobility
- 2.2 Doors and windows – literal and metaphorical thresholds
- 3 The city as an important space in Victorian Gothic fiction
- 3.1 The Victorian society – an important issue for Gothic writers
- 3.2 East and West - the ambiguous Victorian London
- 4 The Gothic house as breeding ground for the evil
- 4.1 Face and atmosphere of houses – indicators of good and evil?
- 4.2 Realms of evil inside the house – Dorian Gray's attic and Dr. Jekyll's cabinet
- 5 Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper analyzes the function of space in two Victorian Gothic novels: Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray and Robert Louis Stevenson's Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. The primary objective is to compare how Wilde and Stevenson utilize different spatial settings to create atmosphere, reflect societal anxieties, and drive their respective plots. The analysis focuses on the symbolic meaning of specific spaces and their roles in shaping the narrative.
- The symbolic representation of thresholds and liminal spaces.
- The city of London as a reflection of Victorian society and its anxieties.
- The Gothic house as a breeding ground for evil and moral decay.
- The relationship between character mobility and their moral status.
- The use of space to establish atmosphere and mood.
Chapter Summaries
1 Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the paper's central focus: the function of space in Victorian Gothic literature, specifically within the novels of Oscar Wilde and Robert Louis Stevenson. It highlights the importance of setting in shaping narrative frameworks and character movement, emphasizing how literal spaces (nature, architecture) and abstract concepts (weather, light) interact to create atmosphere and reflect the anxieties of the Victorian era. The chapter introduces the key themes of the paper, particularly the use of space to capture societal fears related to urbanization, psychology, and the human psyche, setting the stage for a comparative analysis of The Picture of Dorian Gray and Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, both set in London. The chapter introduces the concept of space functioning not just as a backdrop, but as an active participant in shaping the narrative and conveying thematic concerns.
2 The threshold as a liminal space between good and evil: This chapter explores the concept of the threshold as a crucial spatial element in Gothic fiction. Drawing upon the work of Manuel Aguirre and Peter Messent, it defines the threshold as a liminal space between "good" and "evil" realms, highlighting its ambivalent nature as both a connector and separator. The chapter argues that the threshold, rather than being neutral, is often more integrated with the "evil" sphere, influencing the narrative's atmosphere and foreshadowing events. It uses examples like bridges, doors, and windows to illustrate this concept and sets the stage for further discussion of character mobility and their interaction with these liminal spaces in the following subchapters.
Keywords
Victorian Gothic literature, space, liminal spaces, thresholds, London, urban space, Gothic house, character mobility, Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Robert Louis Stevenson, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, good vs. evil, atmosphere, societal anxieties.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Space in Victorian Gothic Literature
What is the main focus of this academic paper?
This paper analyzes the function of space in two Victorian Gothic novels: Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray and Robert Louis Stevenson's Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. It compares how the authors utilize different spatial settings to create atmosphere, reflect societal anxieties, and drive their respective plots. The analysis focuses on the symbolic meaning of specific spaces and their roles in shaping the narrative.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The paper explores several key themes, including: the symbolic representation of thresholds and liminal spaces; the city of London as a reflection of Victorian society and its anxieties; the Gothic house as a breeding ground for evil and moral decay; the relationship between character mobility and their moral status; and the use of space to establish atmosphere and mood.
What specific spaces are analyzed in the paper?
The paper analyzes various spaces, including thresholds (doors, windows, bridges), the city of London (East and West), and the Gothic house itself. Specific locations within the houses are also examined, such as Dorian Gray's attic and Dr. Jekyll's cabinet.
How does the paper define "thresholds" and their significance?
The paper defines thresholds as liminal spaces between "good" and "evil" realms. It argues that these spaces are not neutral but often more associated with the "evil" sphere, influencing the narrative's atmosphere and foreshadowing events.
What is the role of the city of London in the novels?
The city of London is portrayed as a reflection of Victorian society and its anxieties. The paper explores the ambiguous nature of London, particularly the contrast between East and West, to understand how the urban environment contributes to the Gothic atmosphere and thematic concerns.
What is the significance of the Gothic house in the narrative?
The Gothic house is presented as a breeding ground for evil and moral decay. The paper examines the physical aspects of the houses (face and atmosphere) and their interiors (specific rooms) as indicators of good and evil.
How does character mobility relate to their moral status?
The paper investigates the connection between characters' movements and their moral standing. The crossing of thresholds and movement within different spaces are analyzed to understand their impact on the characters' moral development and the unfolding of the narrative.
What is the overall approach of the paper to the analysis of space?
The paper doesn't view space merely as a backdrop but as an active participant in shaping the narrative and conveying thematic concerns. It explores how literal and abstract spatial elements interact to create atmosphere and reflect the anxieties of the Victorian era.
What are the key works analyzed in the paper?
The primary texts analyzed are Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray and Robert Louis Stevenson's Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
What are some key words associated with the paper's themes?
Key words include: Victorian Gothic literature, space, liminal spaces, thresholds, London, urban space, Gothic house, character mobility, Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Robert Louis Stevenson, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, good vs. evil, atmosphere, and societal anxieties.
- Quote paper
- BA Nicole Eismann (Author), 2015, The Function of Space in Victorian Gothic Literature. Use of spatiality by Oscar Wilde and Robert L. Stevenson., Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/319162
