Fairy-Tales And The Existential Predicament- Bruno Bettelheim 1977- Questions-

1. How might Bettelheim's ideas help us to understand the purposes of Fairy-Tales?

Bettelheim's understanding/ idea's surrounding Fairy-Tales suggest that they are used in order to give further understanding to a Child's Life, as "a Child needs to understand what is going on within his conscious self so that he can also cope with that which goes on in his conscious".
This suggests that Bettelheim's Theory is that if a Child wants to understand the inherent fears/ desires with Life, they must see how to act upon these circumstances. It is Bettelheim's belief that a Fairy-Tale offers an original view point that can allow the growth of a Child, to the extent they are able to further understand the way in which Life can create situations beyond the control of any Human.
Therefore, this allows the suggestion to be created that to be kept from Society will in fact cause naivety for any Child- as it is better for any Child to be shown the danger's of Reality through the Fairy-Tale, than for said Child to live without any true knowledge to how the World works- to the extent that they are forever isolated from the truth of Reality/ Society.
Bettelheim to attempts to show how the triumph of Good over Evil is too a fundamental part of Society, as the Fairy-Tale is too there to show how the victory of the Protagonist over any Evil force outweighs any feelings that a Person may get as the 'Bad Guy' within Life.
It is Bettelheim's belief that as a Parent to in a sense attempt to protect a Child from the truth's of the World at a young age will in fact have an adverse effect on the growth of the Child- as if a Child is unable to see how Cinderella can 'rise above' her Step-Sisters in order to seek a better Life for herself then a Child may become, in a sense, without the boundaries of Right/ Wrong within their Life. This is because if a Child is unable to see at a young age how the triumph of Good over Evil is not without its hardships- but it is these hardships that mould the Person they will become- then said Child will attempt to glide through Life under the assumption that Good is natural- whereas in Reality it has to be worked at, as "Real Life is not all sunny".

2. How do Bettelheim's idea's help us to understand the purpose of the Gothic?

Bettelheim's idea's regarding Fairy-Tales allow the Gothic to be explored, as Bettelheim suggest that the darker side of Life needs to be explored in order to raise a Child in the correct way. This is shown as Rapunzel is locked in a Tower due to her Father's defiance of the law, meaning that for a Child to grow they will need to understand how Life is unfair in many situations- but it is how these situations are dealt with that defines the Character of a Person- as the more malevolent aspects of Life must be portrayed in order to provide an understanding to a Child, despite the opinion that suggests Violence in any form should not be shown to Children as Parents want them to believe that "all Men are good".
This links to the idea of the Gothic Genre as, like Bettelheim, the Gothic attempts to explore the duality of Life- as not all Men are Good, but that the battle of Good vs. Evil must be shown in order for the more Evil side of Human nature to be expressed within a text.

3. Why do you think Angela Carter mixes the Fairy-Tale and Gothic Genres in 'The Bloody Chamber'?

This allow Carter to employ the overt and the covert within her texts- as the Fairy-Tale brings out what is seen on the surface of the text, as something that is not harmful/ has no singular deeper meaning but through employing the Gothic Carter is able to show sinister meanings within a Fairy-Tale that may not been seen if not placed in more overt Gothic situation.
This is shown through the Simulacra in 'The Tiger's Bride'- as it allows the child-like idea of a mimic to be brought into the Fairy-Tale, whilst simultaneously creating a deeper meaning that every Man/ Woman is simply a copy of the stereotype they are perceived to be- as the Simulacra is a symbol for the materialistic Society that is never content, so therefore must continuously develop until they become something they are not.

Overall Analysis of The Courtship of Mr Lyon and The Tiger's Bride, Angela Carter and the Gothic for the AQA A2 Lit B Exam.

Task One-


Perpetuate- To make something indefinite.


Who is Freud- Australian Neurologist/ Later became Founder of Psychoanalysis.


What is a 'Reflexive Narrator'- A Narrator that retells a Story that happened to themselves in the Past.

Polarity- The State of continuously having Two Opposing/ Contradictory Opinions.


Oedipus Complex- Important Point in Sexual Development- the Point at which a Boy feels a Desire for his Mother as a replacement to his Father.
Defloration- The taking of a Woman's Virginity.


Voyeurism- The Pleasure/ Gratification a Person gets through Viewing another's Sexual Acts.






Task Two- Key Sentences-


1. The Patriarchal System makes Women conform, through differing means, to their Stereotype.




2. Carter is shown to renounce the Idea that Women are One-Dimensional- that they must be their Stereotype- she does this through the exploration of a Woman's Primitive Desire's e.g. Sexual Desire.




3. The Idea of Gender Identity are that a Male is a intellectual/ whereas a Female is irrational- Carter attempts to prove this Ideology to have simply been created through Stereotype- as through the Transformations within 'The Courtship of Mr Lyon' and 'The Tiger's Bride'- it is suggested that their 'New Selves'/ 'Original Selves' are in fact Constructs of Society.




4. The Idea of Deconstruction within this Collection of Short-Stories- links to the suggestion that everyone is built, like the Automaton, to move with Society around them, therefore allowing Carter to link to Marxism as it is as if the Society creates the Person, instead of the Person creating the Society.




5. Carter's Intertextuality develops meaning to her Text- as through Heightened Intertextuality it becomes apparent that all Fairy-Tales are constructs of the Masculine Ideology- therefore furthering Carter's attempt to rid Ideologies out of Literature- through exposing their Irrational Nature.



1. Conformity.



2. Complexity.



3. Ridiculous Ideologies.



4. Deconstruction shows Truth.



5. Intertextuality furthers Feminist Practice.




Key Phrase/ Idea- People are Created, not Born.


100 Word Summary-


This Extract suggests that there are many differing Gender Stereotypes that are conformed to within Fairy-Tales, as Carter attempts to show within ‘The Bloody Chamber’ that not all of the Gender Stereotypes are true- but instead products of the Society in which they were created. As Carter attempts show the truth behind the Fairy-Tale’ s nature these views in order to portray new idea’s she explores multiple boundaries linking to Gender Identity that come up within Fairy-Tale’s- e.g. Physical Transformation, Femininity/ Masculinity, Destruction/ Construction, Mirroring (Simulacra), Sexual Dominance, Patriarchal Society, Language etc. In order to portray the extent to which "Parameters of Domination and Obedience" are actually used/ hidden within the average Fairy Tale.

The Tiger's Bride- Task 3.

1. What are 'the devil's picture books'?
The 'Devil's Picture Book's' are shown to be 'Playing Card's' within 'The Tiger's Bride'- as it is suggested that The Narrator's Father is consumed by the act of gambling, having his and his Daughter's lives taken away by addiction- therefore it is suggested that the 'Playing Card's' used by the Father of Beauty are made by the devil, as nothing could be crueller within her life.

2. What type of language is Carter using when The Narrator calls The Beast 'Milord'?
The language used by Carter when The Narrator calls The Beast 'Milord' suggests a sense of condescension/ sarcasm- as The Narrator is seemingly mocking the suggestion that her ownership can simply be moved for her Father to an unknown Beast. It too suggests that The Narrator is being portrayed by Carter as contempt within the Short-Story due to her Father's actions becoming so well-known to The Narrator that the only way she can get through is by portraying everything as 'below her'- as she becomes increasingly disillusioned with her Father's action's she treats everything as it is not worthy of her presence.

3. When The Beast gives the Girl a White Rose. What do White Roses symbolise in this collection and why are they used more than once (also in 'The Courtship of Mr Lyon')?
Carter's continuous use of the symbol the Rose is used to represent the ideological Woman- the use of the White Rose within 'The Tiger's Bride' and 'The Courtship of Mr Lyon' represents the idea that the ideological Woman can blossom in the harshest of weather- and that irrespective of the situation The Narrator/ Beauty must remain this perfect vision of Womanhood- as she is objectified as a White Rose.

4. What might be significant of the verb choice 'fleeced'?
The use of the verb 'fleeced' is suggestive that The Narrator is in a Man's view a helpless animal- as she is shown to be symbolised as a lamb- and that to stay with the Beast she is conforming to the idea that she will be slaughtered due to his overwhelming force/ power. Therefore, Carter's use of the line 'Lion lies down with the Lamb'- backs up this concept- as it is viewed that for The Narrator to stay with the Beast would mean that she- like the proverbial 'Lamb'- would too be dominated for a certain purpose- as the 'Lamb' is 'fleeced'- The Narrator is sexually exploited and killed by the Beast.

5. Which Fairy-Tale does 'gobble you up' come from and why is it referred to?
Carter's use of intertextuality here is from the Fairy-Tale 'Little Red Riding Hood'- it is used to suggest that Beauty is mislead within the Short-Story- as she relies on her Father's actions but is continuously 'let down'. Within 'Little Red Riding Hood' it is the Girl's Mother who allows her to visit her Grandma despite clear danger within the Forest- Carter attempts to show that The Narrator's Father here mirrors The Mother within this Fairy-Tale. Furthermore, the use of 'gobble you up' connotes the idea that the Beast will harm The Narrator- linking to the fear that The Narrator must feel within 'The Tiger's Bride'- as she is truly scared that the Beast will murder her due to her Father's lack of morals.

6. What tells the Reader that the inhabitants are not driven by appearances or luxuries?
As the Reader we are told that the Beast is not driven by materialistic desires/ luxuries as it is stated that the Beast- "bought solitude, not luxury". Therefore, it is shown that the Beast is searching for a deeper understanding/ meaning to life than what he can possess- as he attempts to look for a more substantial meaning to isolated life. This is shown through his 'acquisition' of The Narrator/ Woman- as the Beast needs love/ company in order to have a meaningful life.

7. What is significant of the fresco- 'where fruit and blossom grew on the bough together'?
This Fresco links to the idealised Society that the Beast wishes to be a part of, as it is suggestive that the Beast wishes to live in harmony with other species- as they can see the true nature of his form- and that Human's are more like him than they believe (shown through the transformation at the end of the Short-Story).

8. What is the description of the soubrette supposed to suggest to the Reader?
Carter's description of the soubrette suggests to the Reader that The Narrator is not without her own faults- as it is suggested the stereotypical soubrette is viewed as 'coy'- therefore it could be suggested that The Narrator in a sense could lead to her own downfall. This is shown through the suggestion that The Narrator knew that the Beast could see her Father's Card's- but did nothing to stop her Father's idiotic decision.

9. How does the Girl compare herself to Animals?
The comparison of Characters to Animals is used through this Collection of Short-Stories- in this case it is used to portray The Narrator as innocent. This is shown through the suggestion she is a 'Lamb'- as this links to the Gender Identity- that The Narrator could be perceived as weak due to the belief she is a Female as this is in coordination with her appearance- when in reality The Narrator is possibly the most dominant Character within 'The Tiger's Bride'.

10. In light of the end of this story, analyse the phrase- 'The Tiger will never lie down with the Lamb; he acknowledges no pact that is not reciprocal'.
In light of the Ending to 'The Tiger's Bride' it could be suggested that this phrase does not mean as it was first thought- as it could be believed that the Beast is not truly a Tiger- but a Cat- due to the use of "purr". Therefore, this suggests that The Narrator is the true Tiger- as the Beast is hesitant when approaching The Narrator- reinforcing the phrase 'The Tiger will never lie down with the Lamb; it acknowledges no pact that is not reciprocal'. This links to the idea of Gender Identity within 'The Tiger's Bride'- as it is believed that the Beast/ Tiger is always the Man- and that through this form of stereotype the Woman/ The Narrator is shown to be weak. Therefore, through the ending of 'The Tiger's Bride' it could be suggested that The Narrator has in a sense become herself/ been reborn- as she too becomes a Tiger in form, linking to the idea that The Narrator is not in fact that Lamb- and that she is a like the Beast- in the sense they were both waiting until a certain point to shown their true emotions. Overall, this may be Carter suggesting that the Woman can too hide her true self from Society- as the Marquis does in 'The Bloody Chamber'- and that Women are perceived to be the Lamb (Innocent/ Weak) within Society, and that due to the Gender Identity they must keep up this appearance- whilst leaving the Man unable to show his true feelings due to the same factor.

The Tigers Bride- Lesson Work- Tasks 1 and 2.

Andrea Mantegna-

Italian Renaissance Painter- Born 1431- in Padua, Venice.

Regarded for his Visual Experiments- In Perspective and Spatial Illusion.

His Guardian was painter Francesco Squarcione- but left his protection at the ages of 17- as he had seen corruption within his Teacher/ Guardian- as Squarcione profited of Mantegna's Work.

Mantegna's Early Work was lost/ destroyed during the WWII Bombings.

In 1453- Mantegna's Teacher- Italian Painter Jacopo Bellini- gave permission for Mantegna to marry his Daughter- as Mantegna was seemingly doing well for himself.

Mantegna became the Court Artist for Ludovico Gonzaga- he lived well during his time in this position.

Until death fell upon Ludovico Gonzaga- his Wife and his Son- this was a distressing point in Mantegna's life- as he grieved for some years.

Rome 1488- Mantegna was commissioned to paint certain Frescoes- commission by Pope Innocent VIII.

The Madonna and the Cherubim.



The Agony in the Garden- San Zeno Altarpiece- 1455.

Giulio Romano-

Late Italian Renaissance Painter and Architect- Born 1492/ 99.

Mannerist Style- Heir of Raphael- through Raphael he developed a highly personal/ anticlassical style of Art.

In 1524- after Raphael's Death in 1520- he left Rome for Mantua- remained there until his Death.

Palazzo del Te- Most important of Romano's Work- designed a Palace on the outskirts of Mantua- began 1525/ 26.

Helped to develop the Mannerist Style- phrase coined by the followers of the Renaissance Master's- e.g. Raphael- Mannerist style was based upon the ideas of the Renaissance Artists- but later became more involved in the Style/ Technique of the Work- as the Subject Matter became less important.



Madonna and Child- 1523.



Romano's Famous Fresco- on the Ceiling of the Palazzo del Te- Mannerist Style- illusion of a Dome overhead.

Benvenuto Cellini-

Led a troublesome Early Life- he was Banished to Siena in 1516- returned to Florence in 1516/ 17- to be condemned to Death in 1523- after once again fighting.

He was a Sculptor/ Writer/ Goldsmith- and Artist.

Participated in the Defence of Rome in 1527- rumoured to have shot the Constable of Bourbon and the Prince of Orange.

Executed a Number of Coins for Alessandro de Medici- commissioned by Cosimo de Medici- for Sculpture's etc.

 

Crucifix at El Escorial Monastery.

Assuage- To satisfy a desire/ to make an unpleasant feeling less unpleasant.

Awry- Away from the position/ course that is expected.

Axiom- A statement that is regarded as true- it is easily accepted.

'Capisco'- To understand/ see something from a certain point of view.

Ciliate- A single-celled Animal- links to the Beast in 'The Courtship of Mr Lyon' and 'The Tiger's Bride'.

Civet- Small and usually nocturnal mammal that can be found in Asia and Africa- Civet Cate- links to Mr Lyon during his 'episodes' with Beauty at Night.

'Desnuda'- To be naked/ ill-clothed- suggestive that something is plain/ evident.

Excoriate- To damage/ remove part of the Skin.

Expostulating- To show strong disapproval/ disagreement in a situation.

Eyrie- Bird of Prey- could be used to mirror the Beast- within 'The Courtship of Mr Lyon' and 'The Tiger's Bride'. 

Gavotte- Medium Paced French Dance- popular in the 18th Century.

Gracile- To be attractively slender/ thin.

Megalomaniac- Obsessive desire for power- can be used to mirror many characters within the Short Stories within 'The Bloody Chamber'.

Metaphysical- To portray abstract reasoning in view of a certain idea.

Minuet- A slow, stately Ballroom Dance- popular in the 18th Century.

'Molto Agitato'- To be very agitated.

Nascent- Just coming into life- displaying signs of future potential- to show development.

Obsequious- To show compliance/ to be obedient- Carter portrays many of her Female Character's to be this.

Ostler- A Man employed to look after Horses staying in an Inn.

Patina- An appearance produced by almost stereotype- that you will look/ act a certain way.

Preternatural- Differing from the stereotype of 'normal'- surpassing the natural.

Profligate- Used to describe a Person as wasteful of resources etc.- used to show the Father within 'The Tiger's Bride'.

Settecento- Used to describe the period within the 18th Century involving Art/ Literature etc.

Shagreen- An untanned leather with a rough surface.

Simian Simulacra- The Image/ Representation of an Ape/ Monkey.

Soubrette- The stereotypical stock Character in Opera/ Theatre- can mean conceited and coy.

Spar- A stout pole- that can be used as support in differing circumstances.

Spurious- Of a deceitful/ untruthful nature- does not possess genuine qualities

.

Tantivy- A gallop or ride.

Tintinnabulation- The act of ringing/ sounding a bell.

Viscera- The Organs in the cavities of the Body.

The Courtship of Mr Lyon-

1. Carter's choice of the word "courtship" is indicative of a more ideological/ idealised period, whereby Men had rules they must follow in order to court a Woman- therefore the use of the word "courtship" in this scenario shows Beast/ Mr Lyon to be a traditional character who is there to, in a sense, mock the way whereby Beauty is corrupted by wealth/ decadence as the text continues. Therefore, this shows the use of the word "courtship" to symbolise Beauty and Beast/ Mr Lyon's relationship to be appropriate within the text, if it is used in a mocking fashion- as "courtship" suggests an overwhelming suggestion of love between two characters. However, it is shown within the text that this is not necessarily the case when it involves Beauty and Beast/ Mr Lyon- as it is almost as if Beauty is simply 'handed' to Beast instead of in a sense 'earned' or 'courted'- attempting to mock the ways by which Men were able to almost chose Women dependant on who they likes- with little/ no say from the Woman herself.



8. Within 'The Courtship of Mr Lyon' the building is shown to be a haven for Beauty's Father, as it is described in a way that allows the Reader to believe that the house is looked after, and does not connote the sinister/ dark. This is shown through the lions head that is "not, as he had thought at first, made of brass, but, instead, of solid gold"- this in comparison to the description of the Castle in 'Beauty and the Beast' further suggests that the Beast/ Mr Lyon in this text cannot truly be an animal- as the building in 'Beauty and the Beast' is shown to be a "castle, bathed in light"- suggesting that it may be perceived as a haven in darkness- but allows the reader to ask why the Castle is in a Forest in comparison to a "snow filled lane" in 'The Courtship of Mr Lyon". In addition, at the first sighting of the house in 'The Courtship of Mr Lyon' it is shown to be decadent- as a "place of privilege"- whereas the Castle in "Beauty and the Beast" is not spoken of to an extent- as it is in "The Courtship of Mr Lyon"- the fact that there is little information on the Castle suggests that fact that the Beast in 'Beauty and the Beast' is animalistic- as it is shown to have little control within it's home- unlike Beast/ Mr Lyon within 'The Courtship of Mr Lyon'.



9. The first meeting with the Beast/ Mr Lyon attempts to show the Beast to be exactly as his name suggests- as the Beast suggests "I am no good fellow"- this shows to the Reader that the Beast is exactly as stereotype perceives him to be. The Beast is too shown to be unnaturally scary to Beauty- as it is suggested that the Beast "choked her"- creating the idea that the Beast is not purposefully harmful towards Beauty, this allows the Reader to feel sympathy for the Beast in a sense as he cannot escape what he truly is- as a "Lion is a Lion and a Man is a Man". Carter too shows the Beast to have a Voice that "seemed a cave full of echoes"- suggestive that the Reader is in a sense allowed to feel further sympathy for the Beast- as it is almost as if the Beast simply projects what he hears from Man Kind into his life- and that he is not actually the 'Beast' that he is believed to be. This idea is reinforced by the idea that the Beast's Voice is an "organ"- as it is as if the Beast must speak as Man feels in order to survive- and that he must speak based upon others beliefs in order to keep in a sense society in line/ tact. In addition, the beast is described further in an animalistic fashion through the use of- "flung himself at her feet and buried his head in her lap"- however this animalistic language shows the Beast to be the opposite to how he is described at the beginning of 'The courtship of Mr Lyon'- as he is now a passionate Man- and that the Beast cannot/ should not be feared as his true nature is timid/ gentle- as he is not a Lion but a Cat.


11. Within the Opening Page Carter changes Narrative Perspective continuously- from First to Third Person, then back again. This mirrors the way in which Carter attempts to confuse/ daze the Reader within her Short-Stories, as she attempt to symbolise the confusion that the Reader continuously feels- by not clearly showing the relationship between the Narrator and the Characters- as by calling Beauty- She/ Girl etc. Carter attempts to suggest that nothing is stable within her texts- and that continuous change is needed. This is often used by Carter to mirror the confusion that the Woman/ Protagonist feels within her Short-Story, as it allows the Reader to develop a further understanding of the depth of the text.



15. It is suggested that the Beast/ Mr Lyon saves Beauty and her Father from poverty at the beginning of the Short-Story- this would be due to the idea that as Beast is so wealthy it is only fair that he should help out a Family that has hit 'hard time'- as a Marxist Critic would believe that through the Beast/ Mr Lyon's actions he is shown to deny the notion of Capitalism within Society- as it is shown that the Beast/ Mr Lyon has no disagreement about giving Beauty and her Father Money in order to help them out in their predicament. As the Short-Story draws to a close Beauty is shown to reciprocate the Beast/ Mr Lyon's act of kindness- as she visits him as promised in order to save the Beast/ Mr Lyons from impending death- and therefore turn the Beast into Mr Lyon- as it is said that it was "no longer a Lion in her arms but a Man". Through Beauty returning to help the Beast/ Mr Lyon- Carter may be in a sense criticising the way in which every action within society must have an equal and opposite reaction- as it is almost as if Wealth is the only form that can truly make an act of kindness happen- shown through the fact that the Beast/ Mr Lyon has enabled Beauty/ her Father to regain their Wealth, ergo Beauty is in a sense obligated to the Beast/ Mr Lyon. Furthermore, through allowing Beauty to come to the Beast/ Mr Lyon so late within the Short-Story reinforced the idea that excessive Wealth is in a sense corruption/ greed- as Beauty seemingly forgets of her obligation to the Beast/ Mr Lyon- showing that Carter's message about their actions within the Short-Story is that within a Capitalist Society such as the one shown within 'The Courtship of Mr Lyon'- it is only Money/ Wealth that is worth any sort of obligation- this is Carter's Message/ Criticism of the Beast/ Mr Lyon and Beauty's actions within 'The Courtship of Mr Lyon'.



16. On top of the transformation of Beast into Mr Lyon within 'The Courtship of Mr Lyon' there is the transformation of Beauty from the innocent/ pure Child into a greedy/ superficial Young Woman- as the financial side of life seemingly overpowers Beauty- as she becomes obsessed with her exterior- whilst forgetting the importance of the interior within Life. It is almost as if Money taints Beauty's appearance- as Wealth is shown through the Marxist Critic to change peoples personalities inside and out.

Marxist Critics- Links to Angela Carter/ The Bloody Chamber.

They make a division between the overt (manifest or surface) and covert (latent or hidden) content of a literary work (mush as psychoanalytic critics do) an then relate the covert subject matter of the literary work to basic Marxist Themes, such as Class Struggle, or the Progression of Society through Historical Stages, such as the transition from feudalism to industrial capitalism. Thus, the conflicts in King Lear might be read as being really about the conflicts of class interest between the rising class (the bourgeoisie) and the falling class (the feudal overlords).
This is shown through 'The Bloody Chamber' seemingly being a Gothic-Fairy Tale, but once looked at in more depth it is shown to be a story portraying a Capitalist/ Patriarchal Society. This is shown through The Marquis controlling The Narrator- as The Narrator is forced into the Capitalist notion of marriage through The Marquis Patriarch- this is symbolised through the Dowry that is received by The Marquis that means he will marry The Narrator- and the Train being a Phallic Symbol within the text.
'The Bloody Chamber' is too shown to represent a struggle within Social Class- as there is a clear separation in societies between The Marquis and The Narrator. As The Marquis is shown to represent wealth it allows the Reader to interpret the idea that The Marquis always wants The Narrator to view herself as powerful- despite never truly having control/ power due to her low social standing- this is symbolised through The Marquis allowing The Narrator to take the keys to his Castle. This further links to the idea/ conflict that Human's are given a false sense of power/ control within life- but they are never truly in a dominating position due to the Capitalist society always dictator action of Men/ Women.
The idea of 'The Bloody Chamber' representing the Marxist idea of Capitalism is too shown through Carter's use of the train within the text- as this symbolises a 'Man-Made' society that is overall inescapable- as the train is in reality used to get to somewhere quicker- therefore it is used to speed up life/ work- linking to the idea that a Capitalist society is all controlling- as it is only possible to leave a train once it stops- the average Human has no say in how the train/ life is dictated.

Another method used by Marxist critics is to relate the context of a work to the Social-Class status of the author/ the Social Period in which it was produced. In such cases an assumption is made (which again is similar to those made by psychoanalytic critics) that the Author is unaware of precisely what he/ she is saying/ revealing within the text.
This asks the Question of whether or not Carter meant to put conflicts of Social-Class/ Marxism within her texts- as it is suggested that the social period in which a writer lives can affect the way in which the tell/ write their text.
Angela Carter's work- 'The Bloody Chamber' was published in 1979- meaning that these short stories were wrote during the 1970's. This social-period within society was shown to depict the Growth of Feminism within the UK, as proved by Margaret Thatcher- the first British Prime Minister from 1979. This Growth of Feminism in my view is shown within Carter's work- as she shows work that allows the Growth of Women- as The Narrator is shown to be strong willed within 'The Bloody Chamber'- and The Narrator's Mother is described as "indomitable" and "eagle featured"- therefore showing her to be the in a sense "New Woman" that the 1960's/ 70's were attempting to promote through Feminism.
However, Carter too uses her work to show Women as greedy characters that do not conform with Feminism's ideal Woman- as in 'The Courtship of Mr Lyon' Beauty is shown to become a different Woman after money etc. becomes involved- which does not make Beauty strong willed- but instead naïve/ idiotic- as she is shown to renounce love/ passion in the pursuit of wealth/ opulence.
Furthermore,  it was within the 1970's/ 80's that Marxist Critics began to structure their theories on this concept- suggesting that Carter may have been able to view these theories and adapt them within her text's- as she shows the World to be full of Class Structures due to wealth etc. as The Marquis is able to take The Narrator from her Mother due to his payment in the form of Dowry- and the fact that Beast/ Mr Lyon House is shown to portray wealth- through the use of "solid gold"/ "great chandelier". Therefore, suggesting that Carter had seen the increase in Marxist concepts throughout the 1970's and chose to expand upon their ideologies within her work- as she had seen the corruption with society during this period and chose to 'shine a light' on unlawful happenings.

A further Marxist practice is to relate the literary work to the social assumptions of the time in which is was 'consumed', a strategy which is used particularly in the later variant of Marxist criticism known as cultural materialism.
This suggests that throughout time Social Assumptions/ Stereotypes that define the era in which it was Produced/ Consumed affect the way in which a text is perceived by the Reader- as it is suggested that through "Cultural Materialism" Society has changed its beliefs dependant on the Social Period. As the 1980's were times of Equality- as Social Acceptance of Women etc. became the order of the day- suggesting that the Readership of the late 1970's/ early 1980's would have been able to create distinctions between what Carter was able to put on the page- and what she truly meant within her work. 

Another Marxist practice is the "politicisation of literary form", that is, the claim that literary forms are themselves determined by political circumstance. For instance, in the view of some critics, literary realism carries with it an implicit validation of conservative social structure: for others, the formal and metrical intricacies of the sonnet and the iambic pentameter are a counterpart of social stability, decorum, and order.
This suggests that certain forms of literature have certain endings/ meanings to their work, dependant on what political period that the text is formed in. With Marxism it is suggested that within the text their are subtle attempts to indoctrinate the Reader into their ideology of the Political/ Social situation; therefore the text must be read in order to challenge the Work/ Ideologies of the period- as Carter (along with other Marxist Writers) attempts to show the Reader the flaw's of Politics within the Period.
In 1979- when 'The Bloody Chamber' was written it was the Conservative Party who were in office within the UK- it was the Conservative's Party's in 1979 to show voters that the "balance of society has been increasingly tilted in the favour of the State at the expense of individual freedom". Therefore, Carter's work within 'The Bloody Chamber' could be suggested to conform to this Political stance- as Carter attempts to show within her Short-Stories the development of Capitalism within Society- and how Wealth/ Power has been exploited by those who can have it- but that in many cases there are those who have little Power at all. Therefore through the Conservative Party's Ideology of "restoring the balance of Power in favour of the People"- Carter may have seen the opportunity to exploit her views on Marxism at this point- as the Conservative Standing may have been in favour of Carter's beliefs at this time.
Furthermore, the Conservative Party's Victory of 1979 saw Margaret Thatcher elected- ergo she became the UK's first Woman Head of Government- this may have been why Carter decided to place emphasis on the Feminism within 'The Bloody Chamber'- as due to Political Circumstances this would be viewed as a dominant time for Feminism to thrive- as Margaret Thatcher was almost the living embodiment of Women's Power- the ideology that Feminism attempted to put across.

The Bloody Chamber- Homework Questions.

Page 7- The use of “exile”-
By Carter describing The Narrator as in “exile” once married it allows the reader to further sense the isolation that The Narrator must be feeling due to her entrapment within The Marquis world. As to be in exile is to be without the world you knew, entering a new life, therefore this too links to the idea that The Narrator’s isolation is due to The Marquis’ persistence of making The Narrator feel as if she does not belong to his world/ regime.  This in turn links to the idea that The Narrator “ceased to be her child in becoming his wife”- as it is almost as if The Narrator has had to choose between her two opposing lives, and that as The Narrator now in a sense belongs to The Marquis, she must continue in her isolation from the life she once knew. This further links to The Narrator’s sense that she does not belong in The Marquis’ world and cannot go back to her Mother now she is trapped with The Marquis; therefore Carter’s use of the word “exile” shows the true extent of The Narrator’s imprisonment with The Marquis.
Page 6- The way Carter presents the Ruby Choker-

On Page 6 the Ruby Choker given to The Narrator as a wedding present from The Marquis is shown to be strangling The Narrator- this is shown through “clasped round my throat”. Therefore, this suggests that Carter’s representation of the Ruby Choker is that although it may seem pretty/ elegant it can be harmful if viewed as innocent, this may foreshadow events at the end of the short-story as if read in a Feminist way then this may suggest that the Ruby Choker is like Women- portrayed as innocent but can bring harm just as Men can- as The Narrator’s Mother ultimately ends The Marquis reign of terror. Furthermore, the way in which Carter presents the Ruby Choker on Page 6 shows it to be “a gesture of luxurious defiance”- this links to the use of Carter’s intertextuality as it is that during the French Revolution the aristocracy who were able to “escape the guillotine”. To show their defiance they wore a ribbon around their necks, as this is where the guillotine would have hit them- therefore to give The Narrator the Ruby Choker suggests the fact that as the reader learns The Narrator is in danger they still know that she will not be killed/ murdered by The Marquis- as she is wearing a symbol of defiance- meaning that she will too escape the guillotine.

Page 16- What seems to give The Narrator confidence and power once more-

The Narrator on Page 16 seems to gain a sense of confidence due to the idea that it is The Marquis who needs her more than she needs him- as Carter writes “must have been my innocence that captivated him”. This suggests that The Narrator knows she does not have to give in completely to The Marquis- as she almost turns a Patriarchal Society on its head- as it is not The Marquis that has control over The Narrator but in a strange sense it is the other way round- as The Marquis has a sexual lust for The Narrator that she can hold away if she wants to. However, this confidence/ power is almost taken away from The Narrator once she enters The Bloody Chamber as she sees the capabilities of The Marquis, and therefore realises that she cannot hold him off for too long as he will at some point fulfil his sexual desires by force is needs be.

Page 33- How is the usual Hero structure altered-

On Page 33 the stereotypical Hero structure is altered as it is shown that the perceived future Hero in Jean-Yves cannot save/ help the Narrator- as he leaves her on her orders so as not to be caught himself. This opposes the usual Hero figure as they are strong in the face of adversity- however here it is only The Narrator that will in a sense stand face to true danger, as Jean-Yves has left- this may be Carter creating the sense that The Narrator, a Woman as she is, can still be as strong as any Man in the presence of her fear. Therefore, this would link to a Feminist view of the text- as Carter expresses the idea that not all Men are as strong as Women, and that this must be further expresses within society.

Page 38- How is the usual Hero structure altered-

The stereotypical Hero structure is altered on Page 38 of The Bloody Chamber as it is almost as if the Hero (Jean Yves) is shown to be unable to save his lover (The Narrator) due to his blindness- this is shown through Jean Yves saying “you do not deserve this”- almost as if he knows that there is no hope for The Narrator as it is a patriarchal society that they live in. However, Jean Yves and The Narrator are still shown to be heroic on page 38 due to their courage in the face of peril- as it is as if they have accepted that The Narrator will be murdered by The Marquis- but attempt to accept this fact almost as an act of defiance- as the chase may be what The Marquis desires- therefore The Marquis plans will almost be ruined if they give in to him with no complaints.

The Duke’s view of Women-

The Duke is shown to be very commanding towards The Narrator within The Bloody Chamber- as it is often said that The Marquis “made” The Narrator do something- creating the idea that The Marquis believes that Women are below his status- creating the idea of a patriarchal society within The Bloody Chamber as it is as if The Marquis believes he holds power over Women within the text. This is further shown through The Marquis belief that the Women within The Bloody Chamber are almost his possessions- as they are kept on a “catafalque” and “under a sheet of very rare and precious linen”- showing the idea that to The Marquis the Women within The Bloody Chamber are simply possessions that must be showed off like precious jewels- linking to the Ruby Choker that is presented to The Narrator- as it is almost as if The Marquis looks after Women better after their death- as if an inanimate object is worth more to The Marquis than a living being.

Page 10/ 11- Their first Sexual Encounter-

The Narrator and The Marquis first sexual encounter is supposed to show the greed of Man towards Women- and the power that Men believe they can exude over Women. This is shown through the line “Not yet. Later. Anticipation is the greater part of pleasure”- this shows the way that The Marquis can control The Narrator’s actions, and from a Feminist point of view this section within the text attempts to show this power/ greed/ lust over Women to be morally wrong- as it is as if The Marquis can in a sense own The Narrator through his actions and a Patriarchal Society- this is shown through The Narrators line “my purchaser unwrapped his bargain”. Furthermore, their first sexual encounter is shown to be uncomfortable for The Narrator and the reader- as it is almost as if The Narrator lets The Marquis use her for his own pleasure to do with as he wishes- this is shown through the line “blood rushed to my face again, and stayed there”. This shows that The Marquis does not wishes to comfort The Narrator but embarrass her- suggesting there is no love from The Marquis, but simply greed so that he can get as he wishes- this becomes uncomfortable as it is as if the reader is there and truly feels sorry for The Narrator- as she is forced into sexual acts by The Marquis simply due to the idea that a Man holds power due to a Patriarchal Society.

Pages 12/ 13- The Painting- Language used and what it symbolises-

The language used to describe the painting that The Narrator has found within The Marquis library is language that becomes increasingly dark, as The Marquis true nature is slowly revealed to The Narrator and the reader simultaneously. The intensified darkness is shown through the line “connoisseur of such things”- this allows the reader to question what it is that The Narrator has seen within this painting. The language too becomes increasingly dark through the vivid images used to describe the actual painting, as the Woman and the masked Man are both viewed in their naked form within the painting, but the Man is shown to be dominant within the painting, as he seems to take pleasure from the image of the sobbing Girl- shown through the line “man in a black mask fingered with his free hand his prick”. The painting is used within the text to symbolise the dominance that The Marquis has over The Narrator, but also the fact that The Narrator is seemingly blamed by society for being too inquisitive when it comes to The Marquis, this is shown through the title of the painting- “Reproof of Curiosity”. This could link to a Marxist reading of the text, as it suggests the fact that The Narrator should remain loyal/ unquestioning towards The Marquis due to his power/ status/ wealth within society. The Painting could too foreshadow the fact that The Narrator will be blamed for her inquisitiveness, as she is told not to enter The Bloody Chamber but does so against The Marquis orders, suggesting that she, like the Girl in the Painting, will be punished for her defiance of The Marquis. Furthermore, the Painting may symbolise the idea that all Men wear a metaphorical “mask” within their lives, and rarely choose to show their true emotions unless they feel threatened or it necessary in order to keep their pretending to be somebody they are not.

Page 15- The colours used by Carter and their effect-

On Page 15 there are many colours used by Carter to describe differing things within The Marquis Castle, examples of some of the colours used on Page 15 are; “acrid black coffee”, “purple velvet”, “soft white doves” and “pink eye open”. In my opinion this may link to the idea that the colour within The Narrator’s life is about to vanish- as she is given the keys to The Marquis Castle, moreover she is given the key to The Bloody Chamber. In a Feminist’s view this could link to The Marquis taking away The Narrator’s true vision of life, as his own view of life is obscured through murder and an inherent desire for power, that although it may take a Man like The Marquis to give a Woman a more affluent life, it also takes a Man to take away a Woman’s life through greed and lust. Furthermore, the use of the differing colours by Carter may foreshadow the idea that The Narrator will be cared for/ loved by a Man who has no sense of colour/ his surroundings in Jean-Yves- linking to the idea that if you cannot see you cannot control (The Male Gaze) - therefore making it safer for The Narrator to love Jean-Yves as he cannot control her whilst he is blind.

Page 13- Significance of- “All the better to see you”-

This phrase used by Carter of “All the better to see you” was established in the European Fairy-Tale Little Red Riding Hood, which was first published by Charles Perrault and is used by Carter in this instance for multiple reasons. Carter’s use of this phrase could be to present the dominant nature of The Marquis within ‘The Bloody Chamber’- as it is the Wolf who says this during Little Red Riding Hood- this could suggest that The Marquis is almost a predator within the ‘The Bloody Chamber’ and that The Narrator is The Marquis next victim. Furthermore, this phrase may be used by Carter in this instance as it shows The Marquis to be animalistic, as Carter has previously described The Marquis as “leonine”- therefore by Carter using a phrase used by a Wolf in a well-known Fairy-Tale further shows how The Marquis is a powerful figure that should not be threatened- as The Marquis is not a figure that connotes anything other than death/ violence. In addition, the use of The Marquis saying he wishes to see The Narrator in the “bright light of day” mirrors the way that The Narrator has had an obsession throughout ‘The Bloody Chamber’ of seeing the true nature of The Marquis- as it is as if now The Narrator has seen The Marquis with his metaphorical ‘mask’ off the act has to be reciprocated, as it is now that The Marquis wishes to see the true nature of The Narrator, as The Marquis know that The Narrator has seen inside his forbidden room- but he almost wishes her to come clean about her, in his eyes, treacherous deed.

Appearance within ‘The Bloody Chamber’-

Appearance is shown to be important within ‘The Bloody Chamber’ as it seems to be that the characters are ambiguous throughout, as it is almost as if The Narrator and The Marquis at some point are both unclear on their intentions- therefore are vague in their appearance to the other. This is symbolised through the metaphorical “mask” that The Marquis is said to wear at the beginning of the short story, as it is almost that through his appearance being altered to his true reality The Marquis is able to deceive The Narrator- this is also what The Narrator does when she learns the truth about The Marquis/ his Wives.

Moreover, the mark on The Narrator’s forehead is important within ‘The Bloody Chamber’- as it symbolises/ mirrors the Mark of Cain- this suggests that The Narrator has the symbol of death marked upon her body- it is however a mark of the fact that The Narrator cannot be harmed/ killed- as this is how the tale goes in Genesis 4 of the Bible. Therefore, appearance can be shown to be important in this situation as it shows the failure of dominance from The Marquis over The Narrator- as through the symbol he bestows upon her it means he cannot harm her- as it is not a mark of death as The Marquis believes.

Furthermore, the way that The Narrator appears as weaker than The Marquis from the outset is too important in the overall tale, as it is shown that The Marquis is dominant over The Narrator through the sexual ways in which he seemingly ‘abuses’ her, this is shown through the line “the course of that one-sided struggle”- as this is suggestive that The Narrator is made to perform sexual acts due to her appearance (as a Woman) as this is a prime example of a Patriarchal Society- as because The Narrator is a Woman she must succumb to The Marquis requests- as he is Male and she is Female.

In addition, The Marquis appearance is shown to be of vital importance within ‘The Bloody Chamber’ as he is described as animalistic in his features- this symbolises the ferocious nature of The Marquis as he is said to be “leonine”. This shows that The Marquis is almost predator-like in his actions, as he is shown to prey on the ‘weak’ from the outset due to the way that Carter presents him, this is too shown in the quote “all the better to see you”- as this mirrors the Wolf in Little Red Riding Hood- suggesting that like the Wolf, The Marquis is almost an animal in his actions/ abilities- as it is shown through his suggested appearance that he has no conscience, as if a predator that preys on those who are perceived as weaker than him.

Magical Realism-

This is a style/ genre of fiction- whereby Magical elements are blended with the Realistic elements of life- in order to develop a deeper/ more questioned state of Reality.

The Magical elements are blended so subtly with the Realistic elements- so that it is to the extent that the Magical elements are almost accepted as the Reality of the World.

Matthew Strecher- Magical Realism is- “what happens when a highly detailed, realistic setting is invaded by something too strange to believe”.

Phrase coined in 1925 by German Art Critic- Franz Roh- but was first used in modern form in 1955.

Elements of Magical Realism-

• Fantastical Elements- traits of the Fantastical given to real-life characters/ situations.
• Real-World Setting- no new worlds are set up- it is the same world with strange elements.
• Authorial Reticence- this is the with-holding of information concerning this world that combines Real/ Fantasy elements- due to the lack of questioning the reader accepts the events as normal- as if the world was questioned in the work of fiction then it would be questioned by the reader.
• Hybridity- this is multiple plot lines working simultaneously within the work of fiction- they are harmonious- can make the reader question realities- as it may be that the realities work in a dream-like state.
• Plenitude- shown to be extraordinary/ magnificent through the lack of emptiness within it- at times it can use explicit detail.
• Metafiction- exploration of how literature can impact the real world/ how the real world can impact literature/ how the reader can too impact a text and the world.
• Heightened Awareness of Mystery- links to hidden meanings that the reader must be able to sense as they read- ability to read it at an intensified level.
• Political Critique- contradicts society/ politics and the way they work- linked to Marxism- they are revolutionary- as they are against dominant forces in the economy etc.