Man-made structures are a huge contributing factor involved in the development and understanding of a Gothic novel. Structures such as castles, big houses and monasteries are fundamental aspects that are continually present in Gothic novels, and form a basis that allow its characters to flourish. These constructions are continually prevalent in Gothic writing, as according to Anthony Roche, they regularly appear in all work over two centuries of Gothic scripture (“The Big House in Ireland: Reality and Representation by Jacqueline Genet; Ancestral Voices: The Big House in Anglo-Irish Literature by Otto Rauchbauer” 341). Their importance to this set of novels is undeniable, with their haunting and towering presence creating a sense of unease
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Manfred’s determination to keep hold of the castle partly comes from the thought of his future being dependent on the future of the castle. Manfred views this as a positive and mutualisic investment, as the castle is good for his future and he is convinced he is good for the castle’s. This cannot be said for all the characters in The Castle of Otranto, as other characters, particularly women suffer from being in the captivity of the castle. For example, the fate of the castle being tied to its characters is negative for Isabella; “Assist me to escape from this fatal castle” (The Castle of Otranto 28). If the fate of the castle corresponds to Manfred’s fate, both have negative outcomes for Isabella whose fate is decided by the life she is subjected to. Her strife is common among female characters is the novel, with Hippolita being forced to conform to Manfred’s wishes to marry Isabella, even though she is his wife. Her fate is decided by Manfred’s dedication. His persistence to maintain control and copy the castle’s prosperity assists in the ruin of Hippolita’s fate and confines her to an ample supply of nothingness. The same can be said for Manfred’s daughter Matilda, whose imprisonment within the castle is alleviated by her undignified death at the hand of her father. His drive to remain head of the house resulted in the untimely release of his daughter. His strive to require a desirable future and fate by remaining at the helm was countered by his disorganised
Manfred’s determination to keep hold of the castle partly comes from the thought of his future being dependent on the future of the castle. Manfred views this as a positive and mutualisic investment, as the castle is good for his future and he is convinced he is good for the castle’s. This cannot be said for all the characters in The Castle of Otranto, as other characters, particularly women suffer from being in the captivity of the castle. For example, the fate of the castle being tied to its characters is negative for Isabella; “Assist me to escape from this fatal castle” (The Castle of Otranto 28). If the fate of the castle corresponds to Manfred’s fate, both have negative outcomes for Isabella whose fate is decided by the life she is subjected to. Her strife is common among female characters is the novel, with Hippolita being forced to conform to Manfred’s wishes to marry Isabella, even though she is his wife. Her fate is decided by Manfred’s dedication. His persistence to maintain control and copy the castle’s prosperity assists in the ruin of Hippolita’s fate and confines her to an ample supply of nothingness. The same can be said for Manfred’s daughter Matilda, whose imprisonment within the castle is alleviated by her undignified death at the hand of her father. His drive to remain head of the house resulted in the untimely release of his daughter. His strive to require a desirable future and fate by remaining at the helm was countered by his disorganised