Touching base on queer gothic has broadened my understanding of it and even made me more in tune with my own sexuality. It’s always good to know a lot about many things and help contribute to your formative mindset.

Haggerty mentions normative configurations of human interaction and by this I believe he is referring to stereotypes. He is referring to what humans believe should be considered normal interactions amongst ourselves. Walpole addresses issues such as marriage, bloodlines, and familial bonds. While situations that may have seemed normal in ancient times are not seemingly so now, like attempting to rape and marry your son’s widow. Walpole challenges what we believe is normal and morally correct and in his story makes us believe otherwise by presenting an odd relationship as a father in law and his son’s widow.

I agree with Haggerty’s interpretation of sexual frustrations and limitations being challenged with all factors being put in place. I have taken a quote from a passage and it reads as follows: “I desired you once before,” said Manfred angrily, “not to name that woman: from this hour she must be a stranger to you, as she must be to me. In short, Isabella, since I cannot give you my son, I offer you myself.” In this passage we can sense how bewildered Isabella is at her father-in-laws revelation and we can notice how Manfred is preying on her confusion and manipulating her already distraught feelings.

I believe the physical features of a castle represent political and sexual entrapment because not everything is what it seems. While from the outside a castle may attest dominance by looking grand and majestic and may seem beautiful, what is inside is a mystery and for all we know, lonely.