Author(s): Richa Verma, Gauri Soni

Abstract: Daphne Du Maurier builds a fairy tale narrative in Jamaica Inn, with a classic villain and a conflicted damsel-in-distress in gothic romances, brought together within a toxic marital bond. This paper aims on scrutinizing the character of ‘Aunt Patience’ as an inspiration behind ‘marriage’ motivating an exercise of patriarchal control, through invasion of female psychology. Recurring instances of terror, crime, incest and domestic violence, still celebrate the triumph of female strength and undying passion for freedom. ‘Aunt Patience’, in the face of psychological and bodily threat, falls prey to a classic tragedy, with ‘supernatural’ as an integral part of her life. Horror and unrest consume her psyche, manipulating important aspects of her life to a degree of becoming ‘normal’. Home and family become synonymous to danger, compromising female sanity, with special focus on problematic social categorization of women. The aim here is to portray gothic events of Jamaica Inn, leading to mystery and social dilemma, considered as strong voices in Du Maurier classics, largely based on toxic marriages, consummation, desire and female intellectuality.

Keywords: Crime, Death and Decay, Gothic, Haunted House, Marriage

Article Info: Received: 06 Mar 2024; Received in revised form: 12 Apr 2024; Accepted: 21 Apr 2024; Available online: 30 April, 2024

DOI: 10.22161/ijels.92.38