With regards to Matilda, daughter of Manfred and Hippolita, the reader quickly finds a woman who is lacking in affection for her father, and trembles at the thought of him. Early in the novel, Walpole writes ‘she trembled at his austerity’ (22). Manfred’s hatred of his daughter is demonstrated in physical terms and in the same passage he states, ‘I do not want a daughter; and, flinging back abruptly, clapped the door against the terrified Matilda’ (Walpole 22). The reader, witnessing this scene, realises that Manfred is capable of eliciting fear in his daughter and is violent towards her, so the reader becomes fearful for her.
