Original scientific paper
Selfhood and Otherness in Matthew Gregory Lewis’s Novel The Monk
Jakov Sabljić
; University of Osijek
Abstract
The relationship between selfhood and otherness in the canonical Gothic novel The Monk by M. G. Lewis reflects the genre's fascination with the sinister aspects of human nature and the boundaries of identity. By exploring themes of human duality, monstrosity, and the transformation of characters, the novel reveals the conflict between the “civilized” self and otherness in the form of deeply rooted primal fears and desires. To systematically study the relationship between selfhood and otherness, the novel's supernatural occurrences, characters' inner conflicts, identity crises, and characters defying societal norms and moral boundaries are analyzed. The concept of otherness in The Monk is a central theme that manifests in various forms throughout the novel. Through his depiction of religious, gender, supernatural, class, and psychological otherness, Lewis encapsulates the fears and fascinations of the late 18th century, based on diverse characters and phenomena perceived as different, foreign, or outside normative frameworks, evoking fear, fascination, or repulsion. By exploring the dynamic relationship between selfhood and otherness, the boundaries of the known and acceptable are questioned, defining what constitutes otherness in relation to the values of civilized society, problematizing social norms, and investigating the hidden, subconscious drives of the individual.
Keywords
M. G. Lewis; The Monk; the Gothic novel; selfhood; otherness
Hrčak ID:
333982
URI
Publication date:
24.7.2025.
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