Guillermo Del Toro’s new fantasy horror is adamant that it is influenced by Victorian and Romantic literature: part of the dialogue from Jane Eyre’s famous proposal scene is even adapted for the film. How are concepts from Jane Eyre (the hidden wife, the haunted house, gender roles in relation to marriage and power) and other novels of the era paralleled in Crimson Peak? Is their inclusion effective?
Interesting notion. Some research into the styles and stories associated with Victorian, Romantic, and Gothic literature and how they converge in Crimson Peak would be interesting. It'd be a great way to source the images in Crimson Peak as well as help distinguish between the three movements in literature. – jwiderski8 years ago
I just REALLY want to read this. I haven't actually seen Crimson Peak yet, but so far this link to Jane Eyre, and how the "gothic elements" like haunted houses or spirits relate to the character development, would actually make this scaredy-cat see it. – thekellyfornian8 years ago
I like this topic a lot. Interesting, especially since the actor who played Edith also played Jane Eyre. I can see parallels between Tom/Rochester and Lucille/Bertha, as well as Jane and Edith both being orphans. After watching the film on Halloween, I always thought the film would be a loose adaptation of The Fall of the House of Usher if the mansion collapsed in the end. I have actually considered writing about gender in Crimson Peak--the strengths and weaknesses, and the details right down to the costume choices. – Emily Deibler8 years ago
Looooooove thissssss! And the exploration of gothic/romantic/horrific in general. – Jaye Freeland8 years ago
I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought this. The book, Jane Eyre, clearly has themes of horror due to its gothic story telling. I think Crimson Peak resembles Jane Eyre is largely due to the deary and haunting setting. – jarvisholt8 years ago