Introduction This thesis will examine and analyze two of the macabre and gothic tales of the English author Elizabeth Gaskell (1810-1865); The Story of the Old Nurse (1852) and The Poor Poor Clare (1857). (Gaskell & Kranzler. 2000: vii-ix). Indicates and demonstrates how representations of mystery (secrecy) and the supernatural are used as vehicles of imagination, expression and exploration into the hidden depths of the female psyche (spirit) through the use of Gothic fiction in the Victorian era (1837-1901). (Landlow. 2009). Exploring the depths of the macabre 'disturbing because concerned with death or injury' (Oxford English Dictionary. 2006: 451) and the Gothic 'dark and terrifying' (Oxford English Dictionary. 2006: 325), I intend to delve deeper and explore the identity of the feminine self. “The theme of the self has long been salient in feminist philosophy, as it is central to questions about personhood, identity, the body, and agency that feminism faces. In some respects, Simone de Beauvoir's cutting observation, “He is the Subject, he is the Absolute – she is the Other,” sums up why the self is such an important issue for feminism.” (Meyers. 2010). Within this thesis it is important to examine the surrounding issues of personality, identity and the body of the female subject located in Victorian society to gain insight into the hidden depths of the female self expressed through Gothic fiction. Discussing aspects of the feminine -self will highlight and expose the darkest and most intimate issues of feminine gothic. 'The female Gothic plot, exemplified by Radcliffe (1764-1823), centered the heroine imprisoned and persecuted and threatened by a tyrannical male figure, explained the supernatural' (Wa...... middle of paper..... [Accessed 15 September 2011]Thornton, S.P. (2010) Internet Encyclopaedia of Philosophy: Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) [Online] Available from: http://www.iep.utm.edu/freud/ 14 January 2012]Thomson, D.H. & Gibson, L. (2001) A glossary of literary gothic terms [Online] Available from: http://personal.georgiasouthern.edu/~dougt/goth.html#info ]Victorian Web (2010) Victorianism [On-line] Available from: http://www.victorianweb.org Accessed 15 September 2011]Voller, JG (2008) Elizabeth Gaskell, The Literary Gothic [. http://www.litgothic.com/Authors/gaskell.html [Accessed 15 September 2011]Wallace, D. & Smith, A. (2009) Introduction: Defining the Female Gothic [On -line] Available from: http:/ /www.palgrave.com/PDFs/9780230222717.Pdf. [Accessed 14 January 2012]