The Madwoman in the Attic

"The Madwoman in the Attic," by Sandra Gilbert and Susan Gubar, is a literary analysis that explores how women writers from the 19th century, especially those like Jane Eyre and Frankenstein’s monster, were often depicted as mad or monstrous due to societal restrictions on women. The "attic" symbolizes the hidden or repressed female psyche, while the "madwoman" represents female creativity, rebellion, and fear of becoming misunderstood or marginalized. The book examines how these metaphors reveal broader themes of gender, identity, and oppression in classic literature, highlighting women’s struggles to find their voice within a male-dominated culture.