“Abodes of Horror”
Wollstonecraft illustrates, “ABODES OF HORROR have frequently been described, and castles, filled with spectres and chimeras, conjured up by the magic spell of genius to harrow the soul, and absorb the wondering mind. But, formed of such stuff as dreams are made of, what were they to the mansion of despair, in one corner of which Maria sat, endeavouring to recall her scattered thoughts!” The abodes are daunting and depressive. Maria is categorically horrified after being sent to a perturbing place where she is confined. Such abodes are disgusting for they elicit melancholy and unhealthy alienation.
Letters
\Wollstonecraft expounds, “By the most pressing intreaties, Maria prevailed on Jemima to permit her to write a reply to this note…To write these letters was the business of the day, and to receive them the moment of sunshine. By some means, Darnford having discovered Maria’s window, when she next appeared at it, he made her, behind his keepers, a profound bow of respect and recognition.Two or three weeks glided away in this kind of intercourse, during which period Jemima, to whom Maria had given the necessary information respecting her family, had evidently gained some intelligence, which increased her desire of pleasing her charge, though she could not yet determine to liberate her.” The letters expedite communiqué between Maria and Darnford. Considering their analogous situations, the letters are categorically therapeutic. The communiqué permits them to share feelings which condense their emotional encumbrances. Moreover, the course of authoring letters is calming for the two victims of needless detention.
Jemima’s childhood
Jemima recounts, “Soon after her lying-in, she (Jemima’s step mother) prevailed on my father to take me home, to save the expense of maintaining me, and of hiring a girl to assist her in the care of the child. I was young, it was true, but appeared a knowing little thing, and might be made handy. Accordingly I was brought to her house; but not to a home—for a home I never knew. Of this child, a daughter, she was extravagantly fond; and it was a part of my employment, to assist to spoil her, by humouring all her whims, and bearing all her caprices. Feeling her own consequence, before she could speak, she had learned the art of tormenting me, and if I ever dared to resist, I received blows, laid on with no compunctious hand, or was sent to bed dinnerless, as well as supperless. I said that it was a part of my daily labour to attend this child, with the servility of a slave; still it was but a part. I was sent out in all seasons, and from place to place, to carry burdens far above my strength, without being allowed to draw near the fire, or ever being cheered by encouragement or kindness. No wonder then, treated like a creature of another species, that I began to envy, and at length to hate, the darling of the house. Yet, I perfectly remember, that it was the caresses, and kind expressions of my step-mother, which first excited my jealous discontent.”
Jemima’s childhood is utterly demeaning and abusive; she is downgraded into a despondent slave for being illegitimate. Evidently, her father does not adore her unconditionally; her step-sister relishes privileges relative to her. Moreover, her step-mother’s relentless torment underscores the subjugation which the illegitimate kids weather. Jemima is deficient of unreserved parental affection which would have accorded her an outstanding childhood.
