Egyptomania was a Victorian fad that began as the result of Napoleon’s campaign in Egypt from 1798-1801. By the Victorian Era, as imperialism continued to expand and study of ancient cultures became popular, the appropriation of Egyptian relics and cultures came to England. Egyptian aesthetic influenced décor and eventually Egyptomania led to macabre events, such as “unwrapping” parties, which involved obtaining a mummy to unwrap as a social event. These social events became so popular that one gentleman wrote that he had been to over forty of these unwrapping’s. The draw to this new fad was its connection to spiritualism, superstition, the macabre, and a connection to the ancient past. This new fad seems to have influenced everything from literature, fashion, architecture, and even social etiquette.
Egyptian popularity eventually made its way into the arts as a new genre of horror fiction emerged taking on the fear of the foreign and unknown. Initially, gothics’ horror revolves around a moral monster and what it says about society. This evolved over time as Imperialism became an integral part of the culture. In imperialistic horror, the monster or “horror” focuses on the “Other” as a key influencer of the problems or horrors the characters face.
In Doyle’s horror fiction, “Lot No. 249”, he embraces this new subject and shows the Victorian perception of foreign culture and those that mingle closely with them. Interestingly, Doyle’s representation of the Egyptian Mummy was the first to characterize the mummy as dangerous. Doyle’s short story is ideal to see Victorian representation and fear of embracing foreign culture and ideals too fully. In Doyle’s character Abercrombie Smith he represents a strong English man that has the power to conquer the evil mummy, and chase the heathen responsible away. Smith is directly contrasted to the character Bellingham who interacts too closely with the foreign “evil”. Overall, this shows the Victorian perception of foreignness; the English could enjoy it, but it shouldn’t be internalized.
Additional Sources
Darby, Nell, and James Hoare. “Victorian Egyptomania: How a 19th Century Fetish for Pharaohs Turned Seriously Spooky.” All About History, www.historyanswers.co.uk/people-politics/victorian-egyptomania-how-a-19t....
Fletcher, Dr Joann. “History - Ancient History in Depth: The 'Death in Sakkara' Gallery.” BBC, BBC, 17 Feb. 2011, www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/egyptians/death_sakkara_gallery_01.shtml.