Previous

Gothic literature as a genre draws on archetypes of fear, suspense, and horror to create stories that center on grotesque and macabre images, and Gothic themes deal with the darkest parts of humanity. Stevenson leverages these elements in “The Body Snatcher.” There are unsavory characters, especially Macfarlane who is deceptively handsome and popular. The unnamed Irish men who deliver Jane Galbraith’s body are mysterious and threatening, adding an air of menace and suspense as Fettes’s suspicions rise. References to the dissections of bodies and the putrefaction of corpses are other components that contribute to the Gothic nature of the story. A specific scene depicting grave robbing also contributes to the ominous mood and enhance the tension and gruesomeness. 

The use of supernatural elements is a hallmark of Gothic literature, and the inexplicable presence of Gray’s body in the carriage takes the story to its climax. Themes in Gothic literature often relate to the protagonist’s transformation, and that is seen with Fettes who abandons his selfish and greedy endeavors and ultimately turns on his antagonist, Macfarlane. Fettes reveals himself to be a clear threat to the doctor’s prosperity, and Macfarlane is the one who flees in a reversal of power that is characteristic of Gothic literature.

Previous section Setting

Take a Study Break