The Mysteries of Udolpho

The narrative is mainly set in three locations: La Vallee, Udolpho, and the Chateau-la-Blanc. How do the three differ from each other? What is Emily’s state of mind in each space? How does each setting help illustrate the novel’s key themes?

Consider the role of the supernatural in the text. How does it function symbolically, narratively, and/or thematically?

What role do secrets play in furthering the plot? How do these secrets tie into the novel’s themes and characterizations? What is the relationship between secrets and the Gothic more generally?