A Sicilian Romance

Content Warning: This section of the guide discusses suicide and abuse.

Using rational thought to explore the supernatural is a consistent theme throughout Radcliffe’s novels. While Radcliffe uses many of the conventions of Gothic fiction to create a sense of terror related to a possibly supernatural presence, there are no actual ghosts in A Sicilian Romance. Rather, the novel suggests that a belief in the supernatural is for the weak-minded (primarily, in the view of the marquis, women and servants). When confronted with unexplained lights and groans, Ferdinand and Madame de Menon both use reason to explore the possible causes. Madame suggests that if there are spirits walking the castle, it is only because God has allowed them to, and they cannot do any harm to those who are innocent and pure. Her application of rational thought to religious belief is meant to reassure Julia and Emilia, who are frightened of the sounds near their new rooms.

Ferdinand takes the use of rational thought a step further and sets out to explore the abandoned part of the castle with his own eyes and trust only his senses. When he hears a terrifying groan and brings his concerns to his father, the marquis chides him: “Learn to trust reason and your senses, and you will then be worthy of my attention” (43).