Abstract
This article investigates two Gothic novels by Renate Dorrestein, namely
Unnatural Mothers and A Heart of Stone, paying special attention to the motif
of the house, which plays a prominent role in Gothic fiction, and the
representation of motherhood. We argue that Dorrestein criticizes enlightened,
scientifically based approaches to the raising of children, especially the socalled “fun morality” of Benjamin Spock and Penelope Leach. Dorrestein
foregrounds the dark sides of family life, focusing on the problematic sides of
the mother-daughter relationship. We argue that Dorrestein’s representation of
motherhood is in keeping with Freud’s views on the matter, which is not all that
surprising considering that the Gothic novel formed an important source of
inspiration for Freud. Dorrestein’s novels give short shrift to Dr. Spock’s
domestication of the darker sides of Freud’s thinking.
Unnatural Mothers and A Heart of Stone, paying special attention to the motif
of the house, which plays a prominent role in Gothic fiction, and the
representation of motherhood. We argue that Dorrestein criticizes enlightened,
scientifically based approaches to the raising of children, especially the socalled “fun morality” of Benjamin Spock and Penelope Leach. Dorrestein
foregrounds the dark sides of family life, focusing on the problematic sides of
the mother-daughter relationship. We argue that Dorrestein’s representation of
motherhood is in keeping with Freud’s views on the matter, which is not all that
surprising considering that the Gothic novel formed an important source of
inspiration for Freud. Dorrestein’s novels give short shrift to Dr. Spock’s
domestication of the darker sides of Freud’s thinking.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Nostalgia or Perversion? |
Subtitle of host publication | Gothic Rewriting from the Eighteenth Century until the Present Day. |
Editors | I. van Elferen |
Place of Publication | Newcastle |
Publisher | Cambridge Scholars Publishing |
Chapter | 11 |
Pages | 152-167 |
Number of pages | 16 |
ISBN (Print) | 978-1-8471-8247-0 |
Publication status | Published - 2007 |
Keywords
- Specialized histories (international relations, law)
- Literary theory, analysis and criticism
- Culturele activiteiten
- Overig maatschappelijk onderzoek