More Complex Question

How is appearance important in this story? Consider both looks and clothing. 

Appearance is significant in this story as it is told largely through the male gaze. The narrator herself does not talk about her face or specific features of her appearance other than those that are appealing to a man; such as 'pointed breasts' and 'thighs', showing that she is sexualising and fetishising herself for the benefit of her husband. Another interpretation of this is that because of the lack of detail she represents women as a whole.
Similarly the Marquis is described as animalistic with a 'large leonine head', 'soles of velvet' and a 'dark mane' but is also very representative in all of his features. Despite being old with 'streaks of pure silver' in his hair is face is 'perfectly smooth' so he can be any man. However throughout the narrator points out his mask, which he hides behind and does not reveal his true feeling to her and it is because of this mask and the feeling that she doesn't know him that persuades the narrator to go to find 'his heart' and leads her to the bloody chamber.

Clothing is very important as it is one of the main ways the Marquis strips her of any power. When they first reach the castle he undresses her before the mirrors while keeping himself clothed in an ponographic and sadistic way of control he leaves her. Later on he strips her once again she is 'impaled' by him. Lastly he derobes her with his sword, a phallic symbol in itself, as he rips 'the dress in two' to display his masculine power as well as to highlight her complete corruption at his hands.