Ann Radcliffe's novels, such as 'The Mysteries of Udolpho,' often employed a literary device where seemingly supernatural events are eventually explained rationally. What is this device called?

AForeshadowing

BDeus ex machina

CThe Explained Supernatural

DGothic irony

Answer:

Ann Radcliffe (1764-1823) was a prominent English novelist and a key figure in the development of the Gothic novel.
Her works are characterized by suspense, mystery, and an atmosphere of dread, often set in ancient castles or remote, desolate locations.
She is credited with popularizing the 'Gothic romance' subgenre, which blends elements of romance with the terrifying and mysterious.

The literary device where seemingly supernatural occurrences are ultimately given rational explanations is known as The Explained Supernatural or sometimes the Rational Explanation.
This technique was a hallmark of Radcliffe's writing, particularly in her most famous novel, The Mysteries of Udolpho (1794).
Radcliffe used this device to create suspense and psychological terror without resorting to actual ghosts or supernatural beings. The reader, along with the characters, is led to believe in the supernatural, only to have the mystery resolved through natural causes.
Examples in The Mysteries of Udolpho include strange noises, mysterious figures, and unexplained events, all of which are later revealed to have logical explanations (e.g., wind, hidden passages, or human actions).
This approach served to heighten the sense of realism and grounded the often-fantastical elements of the Gothic genre. It allowed authors to explore themes of fear, superstition, and the limits of human perception within a rational framework.
Competitors preparing for English Literature exams should note that this device is crucial for understanding Radcliffe's contribution to the Gothic tradition and differentiating her style from authors who embraced genuine supernatural elements.

Atmosphere: Radcliffe masterfully creates a chilling and suspenseful atmosphere through detailed descriptions of landscapes and architecture.
Heroine in Peril: Her novels often feature a virtuous and sensitive heroine who is placed in a perilous situation, typically involving imprisonment or pursuit by a villain.
Psychological Terror: The focus is often on the heroine's subjective experience of fear and anxiety, blurring the lines between perceived reality and imagination.
Sublime: Radcliffe's descriptions of nature often evoke the concept of the 'sublime' – awe-inspiring and terrifying natural grandeur that overwhelms the human senses.

Radcliffe's use of the explained supernatural influenced subsequent Gothic writers and contributed to the evolution of the novel.
It provided a template for suspenseful storytelling that could be achieved through narrative craft and psychological depth rather than purely supernatural means.

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