The use of power and control in a murderer as an archetype in Gothic literature is an element that is witnessed in most cases, as exhibited by the characters in the literature. This involves various characters who mainly apply their power, strength, and position to exploit their subjects, thus revealing and identifying the image of a dictatorship. In most cases, this element, in turn, portrays the murderers as solid figures in the literature, thus creating an environment full of suspense. Most gothic literature applies this use of power and control to the murderer. The paper, therefore, provides a holistic view of this aspect of power and control in a murderer based on various literature. The paper will employ eight pieces of literature to portray how different characters reveal this identity.
In “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” the character who portrays this aspect of power and control is Arnold. Arnold, in the book, applies control and power in dealing with his counterpart Connie, the main character. In the novel, the Oates uses this theme to reveal the powers and the potential consequences of evil in society. He consistently applies this theme in the novel to establish the sense of foreboding and dread evident through Connie and Arnold. In his relationship with Connie, he mostly used threats making him overpower and control her fully. “He stared at her, then his lips widened into a grin. […] There he was, still watching her. He wagged a finger, laughed, and said, “Gonna get you, baby.” (Oates 7). Therefore, Anold is a true identity of the aspect of power and control in a murderer.
In “A Rose for Emily,” Emily Grierson reveals an aspect of power and control through how she relates with the people around her. Emily is portrayed as a murderer who, through her material possessions and power, manipulates her subjects as well. The author uses this theme in the novel to establish a suspenseful mood. The author reveals the lack of morals and empathy in society through the character Emily, which is the primary cause of violence. The author also draws the greater connection that exists between life and death. Concerning her appearance, Connie is described as a fat and small woman who exploits her town (Faulkner 1). Through her vast wealth, she spends her money purchasing townsfolk that he acquires and keeps. She portrays her power and control over the subjects through her stern decision not to pay taxes. “See Colonel Sartoris. I have no taxes in Jefferson” (79). She also needs to allow individuals to visit her in her home. Through all the above examples, she is seen as an individual who uses her material possessions and wealth to manipulate her subjects.
The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole is another piece of literature where the power and control of a murderer are applied. The author uses this theme to place the reader in fear. The characters are, therefore, under mysterious hands that control them to get involved in poor decision-making, thus creating uncertainty. Consequently, it makes the readers fail to predict what could happen in future, thus affecting the entire mood in the novel. The tyrant of Otrando, namely Manfred, chooses Isabela to be his son’s wife. Later when Manfred realizes that Isabella got married to another man who was not according to his expectations, he orders Isabella to be executed. His son is to be killed, on the other hand. Through this, it is evident that Manfred uses his power to manipulate his subject.
The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe also uses the power and control of a murderer to bring out a Gothic atmosphere. The book has a cruel character who uses power and authority to manipulate the people around him. The author applies this theme to create a mood of oppression and darkness established through Emily and Radcliffe; by creating the sense of terror, the author shows the harshness aspect of life. The tensions created in the novel remind the people of the evil powers that were witnessed during that period. Montony is a bad character who is not shaken by killing or manipulating other people through his power and position. He, in most cases, applied death and violence to realize his dreams whenever he was in a bad situation where he needed an exit. For instance, he ordered the attackers to be killed when his party was attacked.
In The Fall of the House of Usher and Other Gothic Tales by Edgar Allan Poe, the power and control of a murderer is also evident. The author uses this theme to establish an environment full of suspense. The novel applies this theme to instil horror and fear among the readers. This is most evident through Roderick. This is created to ensure the readers are more interested in the books as they get interested in what could happen. The author also uses this aspect to signify how human life is fragile. Roderick believes he can control his sister’s life through his power and position. Roderick thinks he can make his sister Madeline live again through his power. Therefore, Roderick wants to apply his position and power, do what he wishes, and achieve what he wants.
In Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë, the aspect of per and control is also evident through the characters. The author uses the mood of oppressiveness that is evident through the characters. Most of the characters are thus driven by passions and desires. Oppressiveness throughout the novel is evident through Heathcliff. Through this mood, the author is, therefore, capable of creating terror and suspense. In the novel, Heathcliff believes in his power and thinks he can apply death and violence to achieve his dreams. When Heathcliff realizes that Catherine is married, he becomes bitter and considers punishing anybody he could encounter. As a result, he is sometimes seen as the prototypical tormented antihero whose all-consuming hatred, jealousy, and anger kill him and everyone around him.
In Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, the power and control of the murderer are identified through the creature’s unwillingness to remain respectful to Frankenstein. In the novel, the creature is described and portrayed as having an interest in revenge against those who fail to obey and subscribe to his wishes, thus creating a feeling of fear and terror. This allows the author to establish powers beyond human understanding and capabilities. The creature is seen to manipulate the creator by threatening to cause further destruction to suppose the demands provided are not fulfilled. Thus, a lot of fear is created in the book due to the creature’s power which causes unease in the lives of the people around.
In Melmoth, the Wanderer by Charles Robert Maturin, the power and control of the murderer are made known through Melmoth. Through his power and control, John Memloth can manipulate his subjects. The author, through this theme, creates terror and a horror mood in the novel. Thus, this helps to ensure the readers understand all the aspects as they are still determining what will happen in the future. Melmoth used his power and position in the novel to create a gothic environment. When Melmoth visits Alonzo’s family, he is full of threats, evident when he provided that the devil had instructed him to take Alonso. This threat created fear in the environment, making people fail to understand the abilities and capabilities of Melmoth.
In Carmilla by Sheridan le Fanu, the power and control of the murderer are made known through Carmilla, one of the book’s characters. Carmilla, through her power, manipulates the people within her environment. She deceived Laura into thinking that she was not a vampire making her believe it. Through her manipulation, a setting of dread and fear is created. As a result, the aspect of power and control in the murderer is evident in the novel.
In conclusion, the use of power and control in a murderer as an archetype in Gothic literature is an element that is witnessed in most cases, as exhibited by the characters in the above pieces of literature. The characters in the above works of literature have fully embraced the use of power and control to take advantage of the rest. Through the above pieces of literature, the authors, through the characters, have created power and control in a murderer based on their relations with their subjects. The above works of literature use power and control to establish an environment of threat and intimidation among the individuals involved for the writers to achieve their goals. This is the most common aspect writers employ to ensure their audience fully engages in their work, as everyone intends to understand what happens ahead.
Work Cited
Ann Radcliffe. The Mysteries of Udolpho. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008.
Brontë, Emily, 1818-1848. Wuthering Heights. London ; New York :Penguin Books, 2003.
Faulkner, W., 1970. A Rose for Emily. Columbus, Ohio: Merrill. Journal. Hsu, C.
Maturin, Charles Robert. Melmoth the Wanderer. Edited by Chris Baldick, Oxford University Press, 1998.
Oates, J. C., & Showalter, E. (1994). “Where are you going, where have you been?”. New Brunswick, N.J., Rutgers University Press.
Poe, Edgar Allen. “Fall of the House of Usher.” The Literature of the American South: A Norton Anthology, edited by William L. Andrews, W.W. Norton, 1998, 103-116.
Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft, 1797-1851. Frankenstein, or, The Modern Prometheus : the 1818 Text. Oxford ; New York :Oxford University Press, 1998.
Sheridan le Fanu. Carmella.
Walpole, Horace, 1717-1797. The Castle of Otranto. New York :Collier Books, 1963.
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