Gracie Mortimer shares her dissertation in which she compares Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier and The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter.
As many of you will know, through this website, we have shared some of the finest work written on the Gothic by students at Birmingham City University, often comparing Rebecca with other novels. Today, I am delighted to say that we have a superb piece of work for you to read, in the form of Birmingham City University graduate, Gracie Mortimer’s dissertation for her English Literature degree. She chose to write about the comparison between Daphne du Maurier’s novel, Rebecca and Angela Carter’s short story, The Bloody Chamber. We are sure you are going to enjoy it and will find the content fascinating.
But first, let’s hear from Gracie as she introduces herself to you all.
Gracie Mortimer
My name is Gracie Mortimer, and I studied English literature at Birmingham City University. Ever since I can remember, I have loved storytelling and reading, an interest that naturally grew into my passion for literature. English was always my favourite subject at school, and studying it for A-level confirmed that this was the subject I wanted to pursue at degree level. Although applying to university was daunting, I found comfort and motivation in knowing that I would be surrounded by like-minded people who also shared a love for the same thing as me. Fortunately, I met amazing friends and lecturers who helped to build my confidence and encouraged my curiosity through debates, discussions and independent research.
It was during my A-levels that I was first introduced to Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca, the novel immediately captivated me with its dark and compelling atmosphere and narrative. After that, I went on to read more of Daphne’s work, and her influence stayed with me through university. Ultimately, my love for her inspired me to explore Rebecca further in my dissertation. After extensive research, I finally developed an idea surrounding the comparison of Rebecca with Angel Carter’s The Bloody Chamber, focusing on how both authors use Gothic and fairy tale elements to question traditional ideas around gender and romance.
Overall, studying literature has shaped the way in which I write, think, and engage with the world; these are traits I hope to carry forward, whether through future study, professional work, or creative projects.
To read Gracie’s dissertation, please click here. https://www.dumaurier.org/data/uploads/2215_1192011046.pdf