This essay analyzes the representation of gender and autonomy in The Monk by Matthew Lewis and Zofloya; or The Moor by Charlotte Dacre. It examines how both texts critique patriarchal structures through their female characters, contrasting the innocence and victimization of Antonia in The Monk with the masculine ambition and eventual downfall of Victoria in Zofloya. The essay explores themes of autonomy, power, and morality, highlighting gendered portrayals of death and the consequences of societal constraints on women. Ultimately, it argues that both authors use Gothic conventions to underscore the limitations of female agency within a patriarchal framework.

This essay explores the theme of transformation and the fear of losing identity in The Walking Dead and Cujo. It examines how both works portray "monsters"—the undead and a rabid dog—not as inherently evil but as reflections of societal anxieties. The piece analyses the evolution of zombies, toxic masculinity, and historical influences, highlighting the characters' fear of becoming something unrecognisable. Ultimately, it argues that the true horror lies in the existential dread of losing control and oneself.