In his article Ronald Paulson aims to make a series of connections between the French Revolution and the Gothic novel. Discussing several linking factors between the two under a series of sub headings which draw out common features found in gothic novels such as that of Ann Radcliffe's ' The Italian' or M.G. Lewis' 'The Monk'. Opening with a scene from Jane Austen's Gothic novel, 'Northanger Abbey', we are given an example of the typical features noted in the Gothic novel. The rest of the article addresses other classic elements of the Gothic novel such as the qualities of the 'Gothic villain', the importance of a rebel or tyrant, the role of a crowd and the importance of sentimental response and sexual energy before studying Mary Shelleys novel 'Frankenstein' in detail.

In the introduction Paulson looks at a scene from 'Northanger Abbey' which summarises the atmosphere aroused by the Gothic novel. It is one of apprehension, suspense and fear created by the forces of nature such as thunder storms and great looming mountains combined with dread enhancing settings, such as dark corridors, secret doorways and supernatural presence. C

Paulson's next point is to discuss a change in the Gothic novel as a result of the many atrocities that occurred during the Revolution witnessed and observed by people. As a result the novel had to change creating the 'Jacobin' novel. The distinguishing factor between the two is that the Gothic focused on arguments against the revolution or those that were very interested in it. This new strand of novel discusses views that were 'for' the Revolutionary movement. Again we get the argument presented to us at the end of the introduction, this time with reference to the novel 'Caleb Williams' about a servant who overthrows his tyrannical master but by doing this he commits equal, if not worse, destruction.

The next topic involves the presence of the crowd and cabal. Paulson states that 'the crowd is in many ways the central phenomenon of the Revolution', identifying the feelings initiated by the Gothic novel as not knowing and being puzzled. In the Gothic novel this idea is discussed in a situation where no one truly knows the others motives.

The sentimental response and sexual energy is directly linked to the Revolution through Paulson's discussion of contemporaries such as Burke. Burke's argument suggests that there are direct connections between the protagonists of the Gothic novel and the French Revolutionaries. The idea that even innocent and sensitive heroine's such as Emily (Radcliffe) can be seduced into a change of character. Radcliffe's other character Montoni is also described as a person who provides the energy strong enough to seduce such victims through his need to dominate. It is stated that this 'draws on the conventions of both Gothic and Revolutionary Mythology'.

Some topics in this essay:
Radcliffe Lewis, Gothic Fiction, Frankenstein Paulson's, French Revolution, Mary Shelleys, Austen's Gothic, Ann Radcliffe's, Mary Shelley's, Emily Radcliffe, Revolution Gothic, gothic novel, 'the monk', french revolution, gothic fiction, response sexual energy, response sexual, 'northanger abbey', lewis' 'the, rebel tyrant, ann radcliffe's, sentimental response, lewis' 'the monk', sentimental response sexual,