The Development of the Gothic Heroine - 1300 Words

The Development of the Gothic Heroine Although it is not uncommon for a protagonist to grow throughout the course of a novel, for them to develop to the degree where they wholly realize their potential, and then utilize it, is another thing all together. This type of development, while atypical, is often found within the heroines of gothic fiction, particularly the heroines of Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights by Charlotte and Emily Brontà « respectively. While gothic fiction is typically remembered for combining the horror and romantic genres, it also contains some of the strongest heroines of 19th century literature. Much of the development done by gothic heroines can be traced into one generalized pattern. The heroine of Jane Eyre and†¦show more content†¦By utilizing their compassion, Jane and Cathy gain a rounder worldview and are able to face obstacles with more stoicism. Thus with this newfound perspective, the heroines continue on their journey to whole realizat ion of their potential. However, their compassion is not their only skill they discover. Jane and Cathy also learn how to display their courage when faced with difficult situations. Jane realizes the extent of her courage when she stands up to the headmaster at her school who is being especially cruel towards her. After being humiliated in front of her entire school, Jane describes feeling courageous for the first time as; â€Å"the new feeling bore me up! [†¦] I mastered the rising hysteria, lifted up my head and took a firm stand on the stool† (67). Additionally, Cathy attempts to escape from Heathcliff who is holding her hostage despite the fact that he would certainly kill her. She tells him that she must either â€Å"break or burn a way out of the house† (229). Although both heroines are facing situations of almost certain peril, they are able to face their opponents with a brave face. It is through realizing the extent of their courage, the heroine s take risks that they might have previously dismissed as irrational. By taking these risks that Jane and Cathy are able to overcome certain obstacles and continue to develop further as characters. Overall, by learning to hone their talents for compassion and courage, Jane andShow MoreRelatedComparing The Heroines Of Christabel And Northanger Abbey1514 Words   |  7 PagesComparing and Contrasting the Heroines of Christabel and Northanger Abbey The gothic heroine is perhaps the most stereotypical character in all of gothic fiction. The heroine is usually depicted as pure, innocent, fragile – the role of a passive ‘damsel in distress,’ unable to change her own fate within the story. Northanger Abbey’s Catherine Morland and Christabel’s Christabel both share similarities with and stark distinctions from this archetype in varying ways. 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