Ann Radcliffe’s Reformist Politics In The Mysteries Of Udolpho

Known as the “mother of the Gothic novel”,Ann Radcliffe blends romanticism with frightening and suspenseful plots in her works.Her best-known work,The Mysteries of Udolpho(1794),has become almost the stock example of the Gothic novel.From the perspective of New Historicism,this thesis researches into Radcliffe’s allusion to the reign of George III in the novel and explores her reformist politics in three aspects.The main body of the thesis is made up of three parts.Chapter one adopts the doctrine of “historicity of texts” and “textuality of history” to focus on the villain character Montoni,and the heroine Emily St.Aubert.Radcliffe insinuates the expanding royal power by depicting Montoni as a microcosm of George III.She also expresses her opposition to the King’s despotism through Emily’s discourse.This may subtly affect readers and challenge orthodox historical narratives.Chapter two makes inquiries into the author’s pacifism via utilizing concepts of “histories” and “thick description”.By depicting the impact of war on marginalized people and beautifying Mediterranean environment in France,the author tries to deter Britain from wars against France.Chapter three employs two important terms of “subversion” and“containment” from New Historicism to show the subversive quality of Radcliffe’s endorsement of the Whigs’ liberalism.However,because of the containment from the mainstream politics,she has to depict an ideal image of a King to propose a milder way of changing the political situation.Based on the analyses above,Ann Radcliffe is believed to have participated in the political debate after French Revolution.Previous studies either concentrate on the Gothic elements in the novel,or study the novel based on the British social environment after Industrial Revolution or French Revolution.This thesis regards the reign of George III as the main historical backdrop and attempts to investigate Radcliffe’s reformist politics.