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ENGLISH ASSIGNMENTS
2. Walpole’s Style
A closer look at Walpole’s The Castle of Otranto’ will reveal that the novel employs the
language and style of Gothic literature. Walpole’s claims about his style being bereaved of
bombasts, similes, digression and flowery language can be justified after a closer reading of
the text. It has to be agreed that this is a good description of Walpole’s style.
In his ‘The Castle of Otranto’, Walpole strives to present the central issue in a concrete as
well as comprehensive manner. A closer reading will reveal that every incident or happening
in the text can be connected directly to the central catastrophic occurrence. In fact, the author
had endeavored to present the crucial aspect of horror and terror in a manner that has no
scope for digression. A closer analysis of the text will project that the author refrains from
using flowery language. Instead, to sustain the suspense and horror, the author employs a
direct style of presentation “...Theodore at length determined to repair to the forest that
Matilda had pointed out to him. Arriving there, he sought the gloomiest shades...” (Walpole
90). These lines serve to cater to the instincts of the reader that point towards the surging
terror and impending doom.
3. Feminist perspective
A scrutiny of ‘The Castle of Otranto’ will reveal that the text projects certain feminist
ideologies and perspectives (Derochers and Stephanie 4). Hence, it can be agreed that ‘The
Castle of Otranto’ can be read in feminist terms. In the novel, the author pen-portrays two
sisters, that is, Matilda and Isabella, who can be interpreted as the literary representation of
the upcoming modern women who are vested with innumerable responsibilities. There are

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