Women and the Gothic

A re-assessment of the Gothic in relation to the female, the `feminine’, feminism and post-feminism


This collection of newly commissioned essays brings together major scholars in the field of Gothic studies in order to re-think the topic of `Women and the Gothic’. The 14 chapters in this volume engage with debates about `Female Gothic’ from the 1970s and ’80s, through second wave feminism, theorisations of gender and a long interrogation of the `women’ category as well as with the problematics of post-feminism, now itself being interrogated by a younger generation of women. The contributors explore Gothic works – from established classics to recent films and novels – from feminist and post-feminist perspectives. The result is a lively book that combines rigorous close readings with elegant use of theory in order to question some ingrained assumptions about women, the Gothic and identity.


Key Features




Revitalises the long-running debate about women, the Gothic and identity
Engages with the political agendas of feminism and post-feminism
Prioritises the concerns of woman as reader, author and critic
Offers fresh readings of both classic and recent Gothic works