Final answer:
The question pertains to a fictional character, Edward Murdoch, with two faces, reflecting themes common in 19th-century Gothic literature, such as character transformation and physical abnormalities affecting psychological state.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's description of Edward Murdoch appears to be a fictional account, reminiscent of Gothic literature, rather than a historical figure. It evokes characters from the 19th-century literature who endure physical and psychological distortions, similar to those in the works of Edgar Allan Poe and Henry James. The excerpts provided do not directly relate to Edward Murdoch but serve to illustrate the thematic elements of transformation, despair, and societal perceptions of physical abnormalities, common in Gothic literature of that time.
Character analysis and the Gothic tradition often center around aristocratic families and feature protagonists with unique or tortured physiognomies, echoing the description of Murdoch. This character examination can lead to reflections on identity, perception, and the interconnectedness between physical appearance and psychological state, which are prevalent topics in the subject of English literature.
As for Edward Murdoch's second face, this fantastical element aligns with the eerie, supernatural motifs found within Gothic fiction, where characters and settings often mirror internal turmoil and societal anxieties.