Patriarchy, Control, and Freedom
“The Tower” paints a harrowing picture of the difficulties women face asserting their independence in a patriarchal world. Caroline lives under the stifling influence of her husband, Neville, a member of the British Council who constantly pressures her to amass cultural knowledge and experience. Although Caroline desires independence in the context of her marriage, she also wants to impress Neville, and she sets out on a solo trip to visit various cultural sites around…
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Fear, Psychological Torment, and Uncertainty
“The Tower” is a masterwork of suspense, claustrophobia, and slow-burn horror. Initially, this atmosphere makes itself known through subtle cues: the guidebook’s ominous historical context on the tower, Niccolo di Ferramano’s potential dealings with the occult, and Giovanna’s possible damnation. It comes as no surprise that the tower itself is a wretched, claustrophobic place with only a precarious staircase leading to the top. And yet, despite this ideal setting for a haunting…
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Intuition and Self-Preservation
Because of its ambiguity, “The Tower” is a story that relies heavily on implication and the reader’s intuition. The details of the tower’s history are critical but sparse, and they’re not entirely reliable. Neville infers that the tower’s builder—Niccolo di Ferramano—dabbled in the occult, leading his family to disown him. Niccolo’s young wife, Giovanna, died in the same year the village that once surrounded the tower was completely destroyed. Apart from…
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Art, Culture, and Pretense
Art and culture play a central role in “The Tower.” Neville is a member of the British Council, an organization dedicated to the exchange of cultural ideas, and is himself an avid collector of cultural knowledge and experience. But Neville’s interest in art is primarily a means to elevate his own sense of self-importance; he never misses an opportunity to show off his “discoveries,” is “contemptuous” of Caroline’s desire to visit public galleries, and lectures…
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