Clelia McElroy – Monsters in the Attic: The ‘Wicked’ Women of Gothic

Why are so many women in Gothic fiction locked away, labelled hysterical, or portrayed as monsters? This illustrated talk explores the enduring figure of the Gothic “madwoman” — from Jane Eyre and The Yellow Wallpaper to contemporary horror cinema and modern Gothic fiction.

The second half explores how the Gothic madwoman continues to evolve on screen and in contemporary literature through works such as Rosemary’s Baby, Crimson Peak, and Victorian Psycho, whose forthcoming film adaptation offers a bold new interpretation of the “wicked woman” archetype.

Combining literary history, film analysis, feminist theory, and visual material, this talk uncovers why the Gothic remains haunted by women who refuse to behave.