Question

In which of Ann Radcliffe's novels does the heroine Emily St. Aubert find herself imprisoned in a remote castle?

• A. The Mysteries of Udolpho
• B. The Italian
• C. A Sicilian Romance
• D. The Castle of Wolfenbach

Answer 1

Answer:

A. The Mysteries of Udolpho

Ann Radcliffe and Gothic Literature

• Ann Radcliffe (1764-1823) was a prominent figure in the Gothic novel genre during the late 18th century.
• Her works are characterized by elements such as suspense, mystery, supernatural occurrences (often explained rationally), and the depiction of remote, often dilapidated settings like castles and abbeys.
• She is often referred to as "the first mistress of the Gothic romance".

The Mysteries of Udolpho (1794)

• This novel is considered Radcliffe's masterpiece and a seminal work of the Gothic genre.
• The plot centers around the experiences of the orphaned heroine, Emily St. Aubert.
• Emily is forcibly taken by her sinister uncle, Signor Montoni, to his remote and imposing castle, Udolpho, in the Apennine Mountains.
• The castle of Udolpho itself becomes a character in the novel, symbolizing imprisonment, terror, and the unknown.
• Key themes explored include virtue versus corruption, the power of imagination, and the constraints placed upon women in the 18th century.
• Radcliffe's narrative technique of "explained supernatural" is evident, where seemingly ghostly events are later given rational explanations.
• The novel significantly influenced later Gothic writers and Romantic poets.

Impact and Significance in English Literature

• The Mysteries of Udolpho was immensely popular in its time and had a profound impact on the development of the novel.
• It helped to popularize the Gothic genre, paving the way for authors like Mary Shelley (Frankenstein) and the Brontë sisters (Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre).
• Questions related to major works and their central characters or plot points are common in competitive exams testing English Literature knowledge.