The Virgin Suicide Analysis

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The supernatural has long been a confounding and controversial topic. As a metaphysical science, and something that is nearly impossible to quantify, it has often been criticized for its prevalence in today’s rational society. Criticism and social commentary of the supernatural, particularly religion, has not been restricted to theologians and philosophers as it may have been in the past. The scope of the supernatural has expanded into the literary field as well, particularly within the Gothic motifs. Religion has long been a natural partner with the gothic due to their shared importance that they place upon the supernatural. The Gothic motif of literature has always been interested in the human psyche, and religion has untold effects on the psyche. Through the prism of The Virgin Suicides, it is possible to make a correlation between the daughters’ suicides and the prominence of Catholicism within the Lisbon
Jeffrey Eugenides has the narrator introduce the story by saying that all five daughters will die. The narrator then chronicles the first suicide attempt of Cecilia. Cecilia was thirteen years old at the time. Thirteen is a fascinating number. It is thought to be an unlucky number, stemming from the betrayal of Jesus at the Last Supper. (Lachenmeyer) Immediately, the reader can realize the religious superstition that accompanies the number. Readers will understand that there is clearly an unlucky aura surrounding the Lisbon home, and the origins are religious in nature. Furthermore, the story occurs over a time period of thirteen months, only furthering this notion of a supernatural omen of doom upon the Lisbon family. However, this is contrasted with the insertion of the number seven, representing the number of members of the Lisbon family. Seven is thought to be lucky, and should act as a countermeasure against thirteen, which adds a layer of mystery to the

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