This is such a good write-up! I read Emily to shreds when I was a kid, but I never placed it as Gothic, but as soon as you say it, yes. The scene where the family debates over who has to take Emily is so vivid and awful and believable.
I guess because in the discussion of women's anger, modern critics are thinking exclusively of anger-against-injustice rather than pushing people into wells or burning your sister's stuff, they conclude that anyone who gets hurt deserves it? But rather than suppressing anger I got the impression that LMM is advocating for channeling it constructively - don't smash your slate over Gilbert's head, try to beat him in every subject instead.
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Date: 2024-03-25 07:35 am (UTC)I guess because in the discussion of women's anger, modern critics are thinking exclusively of anger-against-injustice rather than pushing people into wells or burning your sister's stuff, they conclude that anyone who gets hurt deserves it? But rather than suppressing anger I got the impression that LMM is advocating for channeling it constructively - don't smash your slate over Gilbert's head, try to beat him in every subject instead.