The excerpt showcases a gothic element and reflects societal attitudes towards class distinctions and beliefs in the supernatural.
Gothic element: The gothic element in the excerpt is reflected in the mysterious woman seen in the house, creating an eerie and suspenseful atmosphere.
Social attitude of Wharton's time: The dismissal of the narrator's concerns about the supernatural occurrence due to societal norms and class distinctions.
Examples: In the text, the narrator's sighting of the strange woman is attributed to social norms dictating secrecy around servants' visitors, highlighting the rigid class distinctions and lack of belief in the supernatural.
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