Reread the comic scenes in 3.1/4.1. How far do you agree with William Tydeman's assertion that 'All the incidents demonstrates a streak of spitefulness in Faustus; and an urge to humiliate and score off others, very much in keeping with the cruelty displayed by the demonic fraternity towards him'
Faustus' actions appear more petty than spiteful. He prefers smaller tricks in order to prove his point such as taunting and teasing the Pope, while invisible, creating horns on the knight's head, creating a horse from straw and detaching his leg to scare the horse- courser. But doesn't attempted anything bigger. All of these appear a waste of his power which would allow him to 'turn thyself into what shape thou wilt;' 'bring whirlwinds, tempests, thunder and lightning' or 'raise spirits' 'ready to execute what thou desir'st.' However it could therefore be more about spite than power as he feels the need to directly humiliate these people instead of using his powers to their full extent. The people he chooses are specific to his feelings of class and religion however get less significant the more powerful Faustus gets.
Faustus starts by visiting the Pope, who at the time was the most important and powerful man alive. However Faustus firstly has to be talked into it by Mephistopheles; 'i know you'd fain to see the Pope', because he'd rather see the sights. When he is persuaded he abuses his power by becoming invisible, a comedic device for the audience. The Pope is seen as gluttony and proud which Faustus uses to his advantage by taking away his food and scaring him. This could be seen as spite as Faustus is ignorant to his own power and grounded by his parental base heritage and therefore takes it out on those with power, seen again with the Knight.
As seen throughout the play most of Faustus' own power comes from his words which he uses to mock the people he preys on. Among the church he mocks their rituals and chants, 'bell, book and candle, candle, book and bell.' without noticing that his necromancy uses similar rituals and symbols such as 'forward and backward' to grant him his power. The friars even retaliate by cursing Faustus, 'maledicat dominus' instead of trying to bring him to redemption which could suggest that Faustus is predetermined to go to hell and the only one who can offer redemption is God or could be interpreted as the hypocrisy of the Church who fail to practice their beliefs.
With the Knight, Faustus acts out of pride after feeling insulted by the Knights lack of belief in him. He takes this as a challenge and spitefully takes his revenge too far by creating horns on his head. Again his actions are based from his need to humiliate others in order to feel more powerful however he still stoops to the hierarchy when the Emperor asks to 'release him'.
Lastly his actions with the horse-courser are to prove that he is higher than the man who is more of a criminal. His last trick could be consider the cruelest as he willingly takes the man's money, despite not needing it, he even bargains for more. He also scares the horse-courser into giving him more money for seemingly no reason except for his own enjoyment. This could be considered as him becoming more demonic as he gets closer to damnation or simply 'keeping with the cruelty displayed by the demonic fraternity towards him.'
Monday, 16 February 2015
Tuesday, 10 February 2015
Reading Journal
Feminism
1st
Wave Feminism
- Emerged during the mid-19th Century and lasted through to the early 20th Century.
- It’s main aims were gender equality through access to higher education, voting rights, employment rights and equal laws.
- While it was one big movement there were many different types of feminism with their own political agendas and methods. The biggest example of this is the suffragists and the more radical suffragettes. Each group took a different approach to tackling the problem of getting the governments to listen. For example some behaved ‘unladylike’ while others dressed in their Sunday best to protest, offering no resistance.
- They challenged the stereotypes of women, including the ‘cult of domesticity’ which is the ideology that a woman’s place is in the home.
- The Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions’ was modelled on the Declaration of Independence including twelve resolutions, including ‘demand of suffrage, on the control of wages and earnings, one the guardianship of children for women and another the right to divorce.’
- The movements affected both Western and Eastern societies together in a worldwide push.
- It was closely linked to the abolition movements of the 1830’s where slaves were freed and given rights, even though they were still restricted. Therefore evolving a strand of feminism for the ex-slaves.
- A lot was placed on the value of women, I would have girls regard themselves not as adjectives but as nouns. — Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815–1902). This theme appears a lot in Carter where women are often commodities.
- It was marked by many famous female writers such Virginia Woolf and Simone de Belvoir.
- Both World War I and World War II meant a severe backlash for women’s rights, as the focus then became demands of national unity and patriotism.
- Emerged during the mid-19th Century and lasted through to the early 20th Century.
- It’s main aims were gender equality through access to higher education, voting rights, employment rights and equal laws.
- While it was one big movement there were many different types of feminism with their own political agendas and methods. The biggest example of this is the suffragists and the more radical suffragettes. Each group took a different approach to tackling the problem of getting the governments to listen. For example some behaved ‘unladylike’ while others dressed in their Sunday best to protest, offering no resistance.
- They challenged the stereotypes of women, including the ‘cult of domesticity’ which is the ideology that a woman’s place is in the home.
- The Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions’ was modelled on the Declaration of Independence including twelve resolutions, including ‘demand of suffrage, on the control of wages and earnings, one the guardianship of children for women and another the right to divorce.’
- The movements affected both Western and Eastern societies together in a worldwide push.
- It was closely linked to the abolition movements of the 1830’s where slaves were freed and given rights, even though they were still restricted. Therefore evolving a strand of feminism for the ex-slaves.
- A lot was placed on the value of women, I would have girls regard themselves not as adjectives but as nouns. — Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815–1902). This theme appears a lot in Carter where women are often commodities.
- It was marked by many famous female writers such Virginia Woolf and Simone de Belvoir.
- Both World War I and World War II meant a severe backlash for women’s rights, as the focus then became demands of national unity and patriotism.
2nd
Wave Feminism
- Refers to the period dominated by more radical feminism between the 60s and 70s although can be traced up to the 90s
- It was deep-seated in the context of the civil rights movement and anti-war protests. After the Second World War people were starting to notice all of the minorities.
- Strongest in America where social change and protests took up a large part of the 60s.
- Focused on sexuality and reproductive rights for women as well as the Equal Rights Act.
- One of the main subjects of Feminism attacks was the Miss America and other beauty pageants. They made statements about how this was a ‘cattle parade’ and even crowned a sheep Miss America in protest. It was also an attack on the beauty culture and many women threw away ‘feminine chains of oppression’ such as bras, lipstick, high heels and false eyelashes.
- The radical feminism drew a lot of its energy out of the other protesting groups at the time joining them in their criticism of capitalism and imperialism. Although sometimes the feminist agenda was eclipsed by these other movements and in response women’s groups such as NOW and the BITCH manifesto were created.
- Ways of thinking had changed a lot since the first wave and the new feminists took to psychoanalytical and neo- Marxist values. Broader critiques of capitalism and patriarchy were created and the woman’s role of the wife and mother. Sex and gender were also split into the definitive biological and gender construct.
- While first wave was world-wide it still mainly concerned white middle class women, whereas due to the greater social changes brought on by the Second World War the second wave of feminism brought in women from different backgrounds to stand for solidarity.
- The Feminine Mystique was a famous book by Betty Friedan in 1963, it talks about women’s identification and values specifically how women fare economically. Famously it states “for women to have full independence and freedom they must have economic independence’.
- Refers to the period dominated by more radical feminism between the 60s and 70s although can be traced up to the 90s
- It was deep-seated in the context of the civil rights movement and anti-war protests. After the Second World War people were starting to notice all of the minorities.
- Strongest in America where social change and protests took up a large part of the 60s.
- Focused on sexuality and reproductive rights for women as well as the Equal Rights Act.
- One of the main subjects of Feminism attacks was the Miss America and other beauty pageants. They made statements about how this was a ‘cattle parade’ and even crowned a sheep Miss America in protest. It was also an attack on the beauty culture and many women threw away ‘feminine chains of oppression’ such as bras, lipstick, high heels and false eyelashes.
- The radical feminism drew a lot of its energy out of the other protesting groups at the time joining them in their criticism of capitalism and imperialism. Although sometimes the feminist agenda was eclipsed by these other movements and in response women’s groups such as NOW and the BITCH manifesto were created.
- Ways of thinking had changed a lot since the first wave and the new feminists took to psychoanalytical and neo- Marxist values. Broader critiques of capitalism and patriarchy were created and the woman’s role of the wife and mother. Sex and gender were also split into the definitive biological and gender construct.
- While first wave was world-wide it still mainly concerned white middle class women, whereas due to the greater social changes brought on by the Second World War the second wave of feminism brought in women from different backgrounds to stand for solidarity.
- The Feminine Mystique was a famous book by Betty Friedan in 1963, it talks about women’s identification and values specifically how women fare economically. Famously it states “for women to have full independence and freedom they must have economic independence’.
3rd
Wave Feminism
- 1990’s feminism that tries to appeal to a younger generation.
- Most famous for adopting the images of the 2nd wave male oppression, makeup, low cut tops, high heels, in a bid to show that they were in control of how they looked. This image they also exaggerated in many cases.
- Tried to create an image of a strong and empowered woman.
- After the fall of communism and the Berlin wall the third wave feminists addressed a new world order with new political ideas.
- Areas addressed mainly by this feminism is violence against women, trafficking, body surgery, self- mutilation and overall objectification in the media.
- They took power away from derogatory terms such as ‘bitch’ and ‘slut’ to subvert the sexist culture.
Additional Types of Feminism
Amazon Feminism- Focuses on the female hero in fiction and in real life and rejects the image of women as passive weak and physically helpless.
Cultural Feminism- Focuses on women’s inherent difference from men, including supposed “natural” kindness, tendencies to nurture, pacifism, relationship focus and concern for others. Opposes an emphasis on equality and instead argues for increased value placed on culturally designated ‘women’s work’. Also known as Difference Feminism.
Ecofeminism- Argues against particarhal tendencies to destroy the environment and tries to stop this. Draws parallels between exploitation of women, and exploitation of the Earth and Mother Nature. Often connected to spirituality and vegetarianism.
Equality Feminism- Focuses on gaining equality for men and women in all domains (work, home, law. Etc.) Argues that women should receive all privileges given to men and that while accepting biological differences believe they do not justify inequality.
Essentialist Feminism- Sees the biological difference between men and women and argue that men and women are ‘separate but equal’.
Forth World Feminism- Argues against the process of colonisation and the stripping of countries native customs, values and traditions.
Individual/libertarian feminism- Focuses on individual autonomy, rights, liberty, independence and diversity.
Lesbian Feminism- Rejects the ideology of the nuclear family and heterosexism. Strives for recognition of lesbianism and works against homophobia.
Liberal feminism- Wants to work within institutions to gain equality for women without changing the entire institution. Works against radical feminism.
Marxist/socialist Feminism- Draws parallels with women and workers placing the blame on the capitalistic superstructure and suggests a collective change rather than individual efforts.
Material Feminism- Part of the feminism movement in the first wave of feminism it strived to liberate women through improving their material conditions through employment, the ability to own property and social stature.
Moderate Feminism- Believes in taking small steps towards gender equality and change within institutions.
Pop Feminism- Media feminism based on caricatures of ‘girl power’ such as Wonder Woman, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Charlie’s Angels.
Postcolonial Feminism- Rejects Colonial power.
Postmodern Feminism- Critiques the male/female binary and argues against this as the organising force of society. Deconstructs what is socially accepted and blurs the boundaries.
Radical Feminism- Cutting-edge branch of feminism concentrating of a swift reform, social change and revolution. Argues against superstructures such as patriarchy, heterosexism and racism and emphasizes gender as a social construct, denouncing biological roots of gender difference.
Separatist Feminism- Denounce men and separation. Sometimes uses the word ‘womyn’ instead.
Socialist feminism- Blend of Marxism and more radical approaches.
Third World Feminism- Emphasises women’s needs outside of the First world context. Suggests that male oppression of women is similar to the first world domination of third world countries.
First World Feminism- Feminism directed to the Westernised and First World culture and often overlooks more world-wide social issues.
- 1990’s feminism that tries to appeal to a younger generation.
- Most famous for adopting the images of the 2nd wave male oppression, makeup, low cut tops, high heels, in a bid to show that they were in control of how they looked. This image they also exaggerated in many cases.
- Tried to create an image of a strong and empowered woman.
- After the fall of communism and the Berlin wall the third wave feminists addressed a new world order with new political ideas.
- Areas addressed mainly by this feminism is violence against women, trafficking, body surgery, self- mutilation and overall objectification in the media.
- They took power away from derogatory terms such as ‘bitch’ and ‘slut’ to subvert the sexist culture.
Additional Types of Feminism
Amazon Feminism- Focuses on the female hero in fiction and in real life and rejects the image of women as passive weak and physically helpless.
Cultural Feminism- Focuses on women’s inherent difference from men, including supposed “natural” kindness, tendencies to nurture, pacifism, relationship focus and concern for others. Opposes an emphasis on equality and instead argues for increased value placed on culturally designated ‘women’s work’. Also known as Difference Feminism.
Ecofeminism- Argues against particarhal tendencies to destroy the environment and tries to stop this. Draws parallels between exploitation of women, and exploitation of the Earth and Mother Nature. Often connected to spirituality and vegetarianism.
Equality Feminism- Focuses on gaining equality for men and women in all domains (work, home, law. Etc.) Argues that women should receive all privileges given to men and that while accepting biological differences believe they do not justify inequality.
Essentialist Feminism- Sees the biological difference between men and women and argue that men and women are ‘separate but equal’.
Forth World Feminism- Argues against the process of colonisation and the stripping of countries native customs, values and traditions.
Individual/libertarian feminism- Focuses on individual autonomy, rights, liberty, independence and diversity.
Lesbian Feminism- Rejects the ideology of the nuclear family and heterosexism. Strives for recognition of lesbianism and works against homophobia.
Liberal feminism- Wants to work within institutions to gain equality for women without changing the entire institution. Works against radical feminism.
Marxist/socialist Feminism- Draws parallels with women and workers placing the blame on the capitalistic superstructure and suggests a collective change rather than individual efforts.
Material Feminism- Part of the feminism movement in the first wave of feminism it strived to liberate women through improving their material conditions through employment, the ability to own property and social stature.
Moderate Feminism- Believes in taking small steps towards gender equality and change within institutions.
Pop Feminism- Media feminism based on caricatures of ‘girl power’ such as Wonder Woman, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Charlie’s Angels.
Postcolonial Feminism- Rejects Colonial power.
Postmodern Feminism- Critiques the male/female binary and argues against this as the organising force of society. Deconstructs what is socially accepted and blurs the boundaries.
Radical Feminism- Cutting-edge branch of feminism concentrating of a swift reform, social change and revolution. Argues against superstructures such as patriarchy, heterosexism and racism and emphasizes gender as a social construct, denouncing biological roots of gender difference.
Separatist Feminism- Denounce men and separation. Sometimes uses the word ‘womyn’ instead.
Socialist feminism- Blend of Marxism and more radical approaches.
Third World Feminism- Emphasises women’s needs outside of the First world context. Suggests that male oppression of women is similar to the first world domination of third world countries.
First World Feminism- Feminism directed to the Westernised and First World culture and often overlooks more world-wide social issues.
Marxism
- Marxism was an ideology created by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in the middle of the 19th Century.
- It gathered many followers in the 20th Century including Vladimir Lenin, who changed it to suit his Soviet Union.
- Marxism deals with the class struggles, suggesting that the workers and lower classes are oppressed by the individual ideology of capitalism and the upper classes.
- It believes in the self- emancipation of the working class from this system of oppression.
- It is a radical belief in revolution against the superstructure.
- Holds an end goal of destroying class divides into a more equal and fair society.
- Marxism was an ideology created by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in the middle of the 19th Century.
- It gathered many followers in the 20th Century including Vladimir Lenin, who changed it to suit his Soviet Union.
- Marxism deals with the class struggles, suggesting that the workers and lower classes are oppressed by the individual ideology of capitalism and the upper classes.
- It believes in the self- emancipation of the working class from this system of oppression.
- It is a radical belief in revolution against the superstructure.
- Holds an end goal of destroying class divides into a more equal and fair society.
Carter’s Previous Work
Angela Carter has wrote many novels, short stories and
dramatic works in many different genres for example gothic, non-fiction,
children’s and more. Many of her stories
are centred on female narrators, such as The Bloody Chamber, The Magic Toyshop,
Heroes and Villains, Love, Night at the circus and Wise children to name but
some.
Excerpt- Heroes and Villains
Marianne had sharp, cold eyes and she was spiteful[Caitlin E1] but her father loved her. He was a Professor of History; he owned a clock which he wound every morning and kept in the family dining-room upon a sideboard full of heirlooms of stainless steel such as dishes and cutlery. Marianne thought of the clock as her father’s pet, something like her own pet rabbit, but the rabbit soon died and was handed over to the Professor of Biology to be eviscerated while the clock continued to tick inscrutably on. She therefore concluded the clock must be immortal but this did not impress her. Marianne sat at the table, eating; she watched dispassionately as the hands of the clock went round but she never felt that time was passing for time was frozen around her in this secluded place[Caitlin E2] where a pastoral quiet possessed everything and the busy clock carved the hours into sculptures of ice[Caitlin E3] .
Marianne lived in a white tower made of steel and concrete[Caitlin E4] . She looked out of her window and, in autumn, she saw a blazing hill of corn and orchards where the trees creaked with crimson apples; in the spring the fields unfurled like various flags, first brown, then green. Beyond the farmland was nothing but marshes and indifferent acreage of tumbled stone and some distant imitations of the surrounding forest which, in certain stormy lights of late August, seemed to encroach on and menace the community[Caitlin E5] though, most of the time, the villagers conspired to ignore it.
Marianne’s tower stood among some other steel and concrete blocks that, surviving the blast now functioned as barracks, museums and school, a number of wide streets of rectangular wooden houses and some stables and market gardens. The community grew corn, flax, vegetables and fruit. It tended cattle for meat and milk besides sheep for wool and chickens for eggs. It was self-supporting at the simplest level [Caitlin E6] and exported its agricultural surplus in return for drugs and other medical supplies, books, ammunition, spare parts for machinery, weapons and tools. The sounds of Marianne’s childhood were cries of animals and creaking of carts, crowing of cocks and the bugles of the Soldiers drilling in the barracks. In February and March, wailing gulls blew in from the sea across freshly ploughed fields, but Marianne had never seen the sea.
She was not allowed to go outside the outer wire fence away from the community. Sheep sometimes wandered away, leaping briary hillocks above abandoned habitations, and sometimes a shepherd followed them though he would go reluctantly and heavily armed. The Soldiers kept the roads when they drove away lorries full of produce but, even so, the Barbarians occasionally hijacked the convoys and killed all the Soldiers[Caitlin E7] .
‘If you’re not a good little girl, the Barbarians will eat you[Caitlin E8] ,’ said Marianne’s nurse, a Worker woman[Caitlin E9] with six fingers on each hand, which puzzled Marianne for she herself only had five.
‘Why?’ asked Marianne.
‘Because that is the nature of the Barbarians’ said her nurse. ‘They wrap little girls in clay like they do with hedgehogs, wrap them in clay, bake them in the fire and gobble them up with salt. They relish tender little girls.’
‘Then I’d be too tough for them,’ said Marianne truculently. But she saw the woman honestly believed what she said and wondered vaguely if it were true.
Marianne had sharp, cold eyes and she was spiteful[Caitlin E1] but her father loved her. He was a Professor of History; he owned a clock which he wound every morning and kept in the family dining-room upon a sideboard full of heirlooms of stainless steel such as dishes and cutlery. Marianne thought of the clock as her father’s pet, something like her own pet rabbit, but the rabbit soon died and was handed over to the Professor of Biology to be eviscerated while the clock continued to tick inscrutably on. She therefore concluded the clock must be immortal but this did not impress her. Marianne sat at the table, eating; she watched dispassionately as the hands of the clock went round but she never felt that time was passing for time was frozen around her in this secluded place[Caitlin E2] where a pastoral quiet possessed everything and the busy clock carved the hours into sculptures of ice[Caitlin E3] .
Marianne lived in a white tower made of steel and concrete[Caitlin E4] . She looked out of her window and, in autumn, she saw a blazing hill of corn and orchards where the trees creaked with crimson apples; in the spring the fields unfurled like various flags, first brown, then green. Beyond the farmland was nothing but marshes and indifferent acreage of tumbled stone and some distant imitations of the surrounding forest which, in certain stormy lights of late August, seemed to encroach on and menace the community[Caitlin E5] though, most of the time, the villagers conspired to ignore it.
Marianne’s tower stood among some other steel and concrete blocks that, surviving the blast now functioned as barracks, museums and school, a number of wide streets of rectangular wooden houses and some stables and market gardens. The community grew corn, flax, vegetables and fruit. It tended cattle for meat and milk besides sheep for wool and chickens for eggs. It was self-supporting at the simplest level [Caitlin E6] and exported its agricultural surplus in return for drugs and other medical supplies, books, ammunition, spare parts for machinery, weapons and tools. The sounds of Marianne’s childhood were cries of animals and creaking of carts, crowing of cocks and the bugles of the Soldiers drilling in the barracks. In February and March, wailing gulls blew in from the sea across freshly ploughed fields, but Marianne had never seen the sea.
She was not allowed to go outside the outer wire fence away from the community. Sheep sometimes wandered away, leaping briary hillocks above abandoned habitations, and sometimes a shepherd followed them though he would go reluctantly and heavily armed. The Soldiers kept the roads when they drove away lorries full of produce but, even so, the Barbarians occasionally hijacked the convoys and killed all the Soldiers[Caitlin E7] .
‘If you’re not a good little girl, the Barbarians will eat you[Caitlin E8] ,’ said Marianne’s nurse, a Worker woman[Caitlin E9] with six fingers on each hand, which puzzled Marianne for she herself only had five.
‘Why?’ asked Marianne.
‘Because that is the nature of the Barbarians’ said her nurse. ‘They wrap little girls in clay like they do with hedgehogs, wrap them in clay, bake them in the fire and gobble them up with salt. They relish tender little girls.’
‘Then I’d be too tough for them,’ said Marianne truculently. But she saw the woman honestly believed what she said and wondered vaguely if it were true.
[Caitlin E1]Not the traditional Gothic Female who is pure, trusting and naïve.
[Caitlin E2]Isolation and entrapment
[Caitlin E3]Contrasts the later fire of the passion and tribes. Duality and contrast of settings.
[Caitlin E4]Opulence, wealth, security. Marxism. Also contrasts the natural world.
[Caitlin E5]Power and destructiveness of Nature.
The heroine is drawn to it later. Gothic/Feminism
‘Erl King’- the women are drawn to the dangerous forest.
[Caitlin E6]Capitalism. Marxism,
[Caitlin E8]Fairy-tale- esque
[Caitlin E9]Marxism. Workers and Professors. Workers physically marked with differences/
Society of
the Time
The Bloody Chamber was published in 1979 after a decade of lots of different news stories and changes. Below are just a few.
The Bloody Chamber was published in 1979 after a decade of lots of different news stories and changes. Below are just a few.
Continuation of the Cold War
- Started after the Second World War there was still high tension between the Communist state of Russia and the Democratic USA and other Western Powers. The war had already seen the world brought to the brink of nuclear war and the Berlin wall was still standing and the Allied Armies tried to keep the peace in West Germany.
- Started after the Second World War there was still high tension between the Communist state of Russia and the Democratic USA and other Western Powers. The war had already seen the world brought to the brink of nuclear war and the Berlin wall was still standing and the Allied Armies tried to keep the peace in West Germany.
Vietnam War
The War against America and North Vietnam officially ended in 1975 when all American troops were withdrawn. The War, which at the start had been in America’s favour, seemed lost as North Vietnam overran the South. It shocked the world, both with the horrendous images of war (as it was televised around the world) and the power of the Vietnamese peasants with guerrilla warfare as well as the loss of life. From a Marxist perspective this was a win for the workers.
The War against America and North Vietnam officially ended in 1975 when all American troops were withdrawn. The War, which at the start had been in America’s favour, seemed lost as North Vietnam overran the South. It shocked the world, both with the horrendous images of war (as it was televised around the world) and the power of the Vietnamese peasants with guerrilla warfare as well as the loss of life. From a Marxist perspective this was a win for the workers.
Pol Pot’s Year Zero
In Cambodia the Dictator Pol Pot gained power and implements his Year Zero. This meant community farms where many people starved and those who were not workers or had signs such as wearing glasses or calloused hands were killed.
In Cambodia the Dictator Pol Pot gained power and implements his Year Zero. This meant community farms where many people starved and those who were not workers or had signs such as wearing glasses or calloused hands were killed.
Recessions
Economic growth rates fell and in Britain this lead to many workers strikes.
Economic growth rates fell and in Britain this lead to many workers strikes.
Decline of the British Empire
The British Empire had been decaying slowly over the 20th Century however by the 70’s it was in its last phases of dissolution. With this came a large change in British attitudes.
The British Empire had been decaying slowly over the 20th Century however by the 70’s it was in its last phases of dissolution. With this came a large change in British attitudes.
Social
- 1970s the first face lift were attempted, this shows an inherent focus on appearance.
- 1978 the first IVF child was born
- 1970s the first face lift were attempted, this shows an inherent focus on appearance.
- 1978 the first IVF child was born
Women
- Rise in women in government roles e.g. Margaret Thatcher 1979, first female Prime minister in the UK
- Aftermath of Second Wave Feminism
- Debates on abortion and women’s rights over their bodies were brought to the political spotlight
- Rise in women in government roles e.g. Margaret Thatcher 1979, first female Prime minister in the UK
- Aftermath of Second Wave Feminism
- Debates on abortion and women’s rights over their bodies were brought to the political spotlight
Civil
Rights
1965- the Civil Rights movement signed the Equal rights bill.
However the struggle for completely equal rights continued.
1965- the Civil Rights movement signed the Equal rights bill.
However the struggle for completely equal rights continued.
Youth
Suffrage
- Due to the Vietnamese War there was a great surge in the push to lower voting age.
- Due to the Vietnamese War there was a great surge in the push to lower voting age.
Popular
Culture
- Many controversial films were made such as ‘one flew over the cuckoo’s nest’ which shines a different light on mental illness and institutions.
- Other films like Grease which involved sexually promiscuous high school girls and Olivia Newton John, who’s character changes from her innocent and pure self into a tight jumpsuit and publically smoking. The iconic images were also influenced the ‘male gaze’.
- Many controversial films were made such as ‘one flew over the cuckoo’s nest’ which shines a different light on mental illness and institutions.
- Other films like Grease which involved sexually promiscuous high school girls and Olivia Newton John, who’s character changes from her innocent and pure self into a tight jumpsuit and publically smoking. The iconic images were also influenced the ‘male gaze’.
-Cult
classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show, subverted the usual story of
Frankenstein with cross dressing and promiscuity.
-
Whereas films like the Exorcist subvert supernatural religion into a horror
genre that inspired many more.
-
Fiction in the early 70s were reminiscent of old fashion story telling.
-
Racism was a key literary subject of the decade, the main aim to highlight the
change in attitudes.
-
Stephan King became the most popular genre- novelist
-
Punk Subculture emerged during the later years
Critics
Negative-
Patricia Duncker- ‘Carter envisages women’s sensuality simply as a response to male arousal’
Robert Clark (Company of Wolves) when the girl strips in front of the werewolf, ‘the point of view is that of the male voyeur, the implication may be that the girl has her own sexual power, but his meaning lies perilously close to the idea that all women want it really, and only need forcing to overcome their scruples’
Lucie Armitt- one of the major problems facing the reader of these ten stories is that they seem always to be dissolving into each other.
Susanne Kappeler- ‘Carter's use of Sade's misogynist works did little other than reinforce degrading patriarchal representations of women’
Jenny Fabian- Whatever masquerades and metamorphoses take place within Carter’s fictional world, there is no escape from the notion that language is a male construct of control http://londongrip.co.uk/2010/10/love-terror-emancipation/
Patricia Duncker- ‘Carter envisages women’s sensuality simply as a response to male arousal’
Robert Clark (Company of Wolves) when the girl strips in front of the werewolf, ‘the point of view is that of the male voyeur, the implication may be that the girl has her own sexual power, but his meaning lies perilously close to the idea that all women want it really, and only need forcing to overcome their scruples’
Lucie Armitt- one of the major problems facing the reader of these ten stories is that they seem always to be dissolving into each other.
Susanne Kappeler- ‘Carter's use of Sade's misogynist works did little other than reinforce degrading patriarchal representations of women’
Jenny Fabian- Whatever masquerades and metamorphoses take place within Carter’s fictional world, there is no escape from the notion that language is a male construct of control http://londongrip.co.uk/2010/10/love-terror-emancipation/
Positive-
Cristina Bacchilega, Postmodern Fairy Tales: Gender and Narrative Strategies, University of Pennsylvania Press, 1997
‘The narrator’s sensual style both uses and exposes seduction as a trap’,
‘the Bloody Chamber’s unnamed first person narrator, focalizer, and main agent is also a “virtuous” yet “willing victim,”
‘In patriarchal economies, women- who represent these “blood reserves”- are exploited because both profit and pleasure require the spilling of their blood (Irigary 125). Carter’s stories expose such an economy as a voracious preying on human life, and especially on lower-class or otherwise marginalized women’s lives.’
http://books.google.co.uk/books?hl=en&lr=&id=RwAbsnP8F5sC&oi=fnd&pg=PP2&dq=Cristina+Bacchilega,+Postmodern+Fairy+Tales:+Gender+and+Narrative+Strategies,+University+of+Pennsylvania+Press,+1997&ots=XxRhd4j1Zs&sig=0wB64RX_iiKUnO33BI5X8wg2pEk#v=onepage&q=company%20of%20wolves&f=false
Cristina Bacchilega, Postmodern Fairy Tales: Gender and Narrative Strategies, University of Pennsylvania Press, 1997
‘The narrator’s sensual style both uses and exposes seduction as a trap’,
‘the Bloody Chamber’s unnamed first person narrator, focalizer, and main agent is also a “virtuous” yet “willing victim,”
‘In patriarchal economies, women- who represent these “blood reserves”- are exploited because both profit and pleasure require the spilling of their blood (Irigary 125). Carter’s stories expose such an economy as a voracious preying on human life, and especially on lower-class or otherwise marginalized women’s lives.’
http://books.google.co.uk/books?hl=en&lr=&id=RwAbsnP8F5sC&oi=fnd&pg=PP2&dq=Cristina+Bacchilega,+Postmodern+Fairy+Tales:+Gender+and+Narrative+Strategies,+University+of+Pennsylvania+Press,+1997&ots=XxRhd4j1Zs&sig=0wB64RX_iiKUnO33BI5X8wg2pEk#v=onepage&q=company%20of%20wolves&f=false
Robert
Clark- ‘reversal of stereotypical power relations
Stephen Benson, contemporary fiction and the fairy tale
the notion that the male protagonists are all-powerful simply by virtue of their sex is rendered an untenable position
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=3ptZ3O5XORoC&pg=PA45&lpg=PA45&dq=Patricia+Duncker,+%27Re-Imagining+the+Fairy+Tales:+Angela+Carter%27s+Bloody+Chambers%27,+Literature+and+History,+10:1,+1984,+pp.+3%E2%80%9314&source=bl&ots=zNk_83hFtd&sig=wntIt_dgkBwMYVQIPu-twhahHYs&hl=en&sa=X&ei=CZiyVOfIKcTqaPrHgdAI&ved=0CEEQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=the%20bloody%20chamber&f=false
Stephen Benson, contemporary fiction and the fairy tale
the notion that the male protagonists are all-powerful simply by virtue of their sex is rendered an untenable position
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=3ptZ3O5XORoC&pg=PA45&lpg=PA45&dq=Patricia+Duncker,+%27Re-Imagining+the+Fairy+Tales:+Angela+Carter%27s+Bloody+Chambers%27,+Literature+and+History,+10:1,+1984,+pp.+3%E2%80%9314&source=bl&ots=zNk_83hFtd&sig=wntIt_dgkBwMYVQIPu-twhahHYs&hl=en&sa=X&ei=CZiyVOfIKcTqaPrHgdAI&ved=0CEEQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=the%20bloody%20chamber&f=false
Helen Simpson- The
stories in The Bloody Chamber are fired by the conviction that human nature is
not immutable, that human beings are capable of change.
The heroines of these stories are struggling out of the straitjackets of history and ideology and biological essentialism.
There are a myriad such musical echoes in this collection - herbivores and carnivores, death and the maiden, the image of a system of Chinese boxes opening one into another - while certain phrases like "pentacle of virginity" or indeed "the bloody chamber" crop up repeatedly from story to story. Images of meat, naked flesh, fur, snow, menstruation, mirrors and roses (fanged or otherwise) recur fugue-like throughout, giving these stories an unmistakable family resemblance, different though they are from each other in approach and register.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2006/jun/24/classics.angelacarter
The heroines of these stories are struggling out of the straitjackets of history and ideology and biological essentialism.
There are a myriad such musical echoes in this collection - herbivores and carnivores, death and the maiden, the image of a system of Chinese boxes opening one into another - while certain phrases like "pentacle of virginity" or indeed "the bloody chamber" crop up repeatedly from story to story. Images of meat, naked flesh, fur, snow, menstruation, mirrors and roses (fanged or otherwise) recur fugue-like throughout, giving these stories an unmistakable family resemblance, different though they are from each other in approach and register.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2006/jun/24/classics.angelacarter
Aytül Özüm The
problematized issue in the story is not focused on the young woman’s sexual
arousal, but it is on the fact that women can be as inclined as men for evil. Carter’s
means to affiliate this woman with sexuality or pornography is through the
creation of potential for evil and corruption.
Carter’s tales fabricate new cultural and literary realities in which sexuality and free will in women replace the patriarchal traits of innocence and morality in traditional fairy tales.
http://www.inter-disciplinary.net/ati/Evil/Evil%208/ozum%20paper.pdf
Carter’s tales fabricate new cultural and literary realities in which sexuality and free will in women replace the patriarchal traits of innocence and morality in traditional fairy tales.
http://www.inter-disciplinary.net/ati/Evil/Evil%208/ozum%20paper.pdf
Problems
Marxism
- ‘Politicisation of literary forms’, the idea that literary forms are inherently determined by political circumstances and is part of the capitalist indoctrination process. Therefore by avoiding reading you can avoid indoctrination however by not reading it you are limiting yourself to your own ideas.
Marxism
- ‘Politicisation of literary forms’, the idea that literary forms are inherently determined by political circumstances and is part of the capitalist indoctrination process. Therefore by avoiding reading you can avoid indoctrination however by not reading it you are limiting yourself to your own ideas.
Feminism
- Language. Most languages are male dominated therefore even when trying to make a point on femininity it is still confined to masculine words.
- Heavy Western Culture Bias
- Language. Most languages are male dominated therefore even when trying to make a point on femininity it is still confined to masculine words.
- Heavy Western Culture Bias
News Articles
Marxism
London bus drivers
begin 24-hour strike action
The Story: Bus drivers in
London have gone on strike as a campaign for a single pay agreement. This is
because among the 18 companies walking out there are over 80 different pay
rates for bus drivers. Most of them feel that their wages can’t support them in
the high London economy and due to the changing shifts the same amount of money
is not guaranteed every week. This can be viewed from a Marxist perspective
because the worker are taking action against the rich companies.
Feminsim
Transgender teenager, 17, leaves heartbreaking suicide note blaming her
Christian parents before walking in front of tractor trailer on highwayThe Story: Leelah Alcorn, born Joshua, committed suicide before Christmas when her parents wouldn’t accept her chosen gender. In the note she left on social media she blamed gender constructs and her parents for not accepting her for who she was and wanted to be. She believed that society needed to be changed and Gender to be taught at schools. The 17 year old had identified as a girl since the age of 4 but was constantly beaten down by her parents who even after her death refused to accept her and called her a ‘good boy’.
From a Feminist perspective this can be seen as old gender constructs and patriarchy damaging what is now a changing society as well as the emphasis that as a women she had less power against her parents. It also links in with the feeling of male and female identity which the media has picked up on, using the correct pronouns for her rather than the patriarchal constructs that would traditionally be used in a story like this which would be use the language for the sex.
Sunday, 23 November 2014
The Lady of The House of Love
Presentation of the Male Character and Interpretations
1. How it the young man presented? pages 111-112
The young man is presented as a stereotypical hero and represents a new world which contrasts to the Countesses ancestral ties which he overthrows by setting her free.
Specifically he is...
- Heroic, sterotypical image 'Blond, blue-eyed, heavy-muscled' showing images of strength, fertility and (blonde being a colour associated with fertility also commonly linked with goodness and beauty. It also, in fairy tales and folklore was the hair colour most favoured by the supernatural who were drawn to blond humans.)
- Innocent, he is seemingly unaware of the impact of his adventure or any apparent danger he might be in. 'he saw all the humour of it: 'on two wheels in the land of the vampires''
- Rational, shows a strong mind and the values of the new world which puts rationality at its forefront. 'he had chosen the most rational mode of transport' 'pure reason'.
- A virgin, usually the position reserved for women of the Gothic is it stated here, 'the special quality of virginity' to highlight the fact that while these traits are questioned about women nobody questions a man. But also suggests that there may be some power through it that combines 'unknowingness' and 'glamour'.
The young man is presented as a stereotypical hero and represents a new world which contrasts to the Countesses ancestral ties which he overthrows by setting her free.
Specifically he is...
- Heroic, sterotypical image 'Blond, blue-eyed, heavy-muscled' showing images of strength, fertility and (blonde being a colour associated with fertility also commonly linked with goodness and beauty. It also, in fairy tales and folklore was the hair colour most favoured by the supernatural who were drawn to blond humans.)
- Innocent, he is seemingly unaware of the impact of his adventure or any apparent danger he might be in. 'he saw all the humour of it: 'on two wheels in the land of the vampires''
- Rational, shows a strong mind and the values of the new world which puts rationality at its forefront. 'he had chosen the most rational mode of transport' 'pure reason'.
- A virgin, usually the position reserved for women of the Gothic is it stated here, 'the special quality of virginity' to highlight the fact that while these traits are questioned about women nobody questions a man. But also suggests that there may be some power through it that combines 'unknowingness' and 'glamour'.
- Doomed, he is picked out as part of 'that generation for whom history was already prepared' this suggests a touch of destiny and and being trapped by a fate which is also seen through the Countess. He is to experience his 'fate in the trenches of France'.
2. What is the significance of the Bicycle?
The bicycle for the young man is his protection against superstition as for him it is the 'most rational mode of transport'. Carter has used it to symbolise the rationality of mankind in this new era of 'pubescent years of the present century'. It also is a modern invention that contrast sharply the Countesses aging world and shows a clash between past and present. Lastly it is a phallic symbol, 'two spheres and a straight line' which Carter has used to foreshadow the Countesses downfall at the hands of men.
3. What might be the significance of 'he gratefully washed his feet and hands' in the village fountain?
- Cleansing
- Religious imagery of washing and 'gratefully'
- He is oblivious to any apparent danger and shows his ignorance
4. 'Curiouser and curiouser' What does this suggest about the young man? Which other characters are you reminded of?
- Inter-textual reference to Alice in Wonderland showing his youth and inexperience
- He is inquisitive to the point that he is blind to danger
- The Father in Courtship of Mr Lyons is also lured in to the house.
5. The crone is described as bringing the young man to 'Juliet's tomb'. What is the significance of this inter-textual reference.
The word Juliet shows connotations of doomed lovers which have been forboded throughout with the tarot cards reading; 'Les Amouraux' and 'Le mort' (the lovers and death).
Romeo and Juliet's death however came about just to mistakes and misunderstanding which foreshadows the dropping of the glasses, a mistake on behalf of the Countess who is unable to kill him. This breaks the spell on her and she becomes human and ultimately dies leaving the room as 'juliet's tomb'. This also links in with fate and creates the question of 'star-crossed lovers' and love instead of sex.
6. 'What a grisly picture of a capering skeleton! He covered it up with a happier one, two young lovers, smiling at one another...' How is the young man presented here? What might Carter's purposes be?
Here his innocence tries to hide death and could suggest many things. Firstly that he will prevent death with his love or that he will mask death with love and ultimately bring the Countess to her demise which we find out is what actually happens. At this point however there is still hope that, just like in most fairy tales love conquers all. Carter here appears to make a statement that love is not without faults which hide underneath and sometimes love dies. Also his rational mind just sees them as 'cards' or 'pictures' and nothing special however there is elements of fate in the idea that he picked out the same two as the Countess.
7. 'can a bird sing only the song it knows, or can it learn a new song? One kiss, however, only one, woke up the Sleeping Beauty'
Carter makes significant use of repetition in this story. Why might this be? What is he significance of the examples about, both of which are repeated.
The repetition has connotations of the fairy tale which would tend to repeat key information and descriptions to give across a message. The repetition also comes from the Countess' stream of consciousness showing how she is trapped and doomed to repeat herself forever.
The first example suggests a metamorphosis could occur and links in to the later books in the collection. While the second one shows that the love shown in fairy tales has become some kind of conditioning which we all follow such as 'true loves kiss' however the real world isn't like that and now instead of one kiss waking her from her living nightmare it kills her.
8. 'And so he puts his mouth to the wound. He will kiss it better for her, as her mother, had she lived, would have done.' What is the significance of this quotation?
There is a sense of role reversal as 'he puts his mouth to the wound' as if he is the vampire about to drink from her.
His rational mind had decided earlier that she had lost her mother and is in his stream of consciousness is sticking to his hypothesis, 'as her mother, had she lived'.
There is a sense of caring and of love in how 'he will kiss it better' and it is more innocent that the relationships with 'dead lovers' she was used to. However it is still a society where he has to care for her as the man and he feels it is his duty to do so.
9. 'When he returned from the mess that evening, the heavy fragrance of Count Nosferatu's roses drifted down the stone corridor of the barracks to greet him, and his spartan quarters brimmed with the reeling odour of a glowing, velvet, monstrous flower whose petals had regained all their former bloom and elasticity, their corrupt, brilliant, baleful splendour. Next day, his regiment embarked for France.'
One interpretation of the ending could be her metamorphosis and a suggestion that she wasn't completely dead and may live on just as the flower did. It could also represent the revival of the curse as the flowers grew in the garden as a by-product of the curse. This use of the flower feeding on the dead could be a symbol that he is about to die. It has also been revealed that he had a 'fate in the fields of France' and that nothing would make him shiver in fear until the trenches. Here the flower died with her only to bloom and be revived by his death just as she and the garden would feed and survive on his death. By using a supernatural and negative semantic field of words such as 'reeking', 'monstrous' and 'corrupt' to juxtapose the other words Carter creates a sense of unease for the reader. The finality of the last line, 'his regiment embarked for France' further suggest the inevitability of death.
10. Overall, how would you explain Carter's presentation of the lady and soldier in this narrative?
The two characters are opposites, she is dark, predatory, ('she sinks her teeth into their neck') cursed, soulless and superstitious ('tarot cards.' )On the other hand he is rational, light (blond, blue eyed), gifted (special quality of virginity) and innocent. Within the Gothic there are aspects of the characters which have been subverted such as the hero is now the virgin. She is trapped in the past, 'her voice reverberated as if in a cave' as her views 'echo' the past as she finds herself trapped by her ancestors and the curse. She is not able to move on like the town below has and if forced to stay as she is. He represents the new world however which destroys some of her old ways and frees her in some sense only to be replaced by her, (as the flower blooms for him at the end). Altogether they are both not as expected for a Gothic novel and makes us question the past heroes and heroines we have encountered as well as their relationships.
11. Consider the following quotation. How does it help you to develop your own ideas about this narrative?
The heroines of these stories are struggling out of the straitjackets of history and ideology and biological essentialism. 'There's a story in The Bloody Chamber called 'The lady of the house of Love', said Carter, 'part of which derives from a movie version that I saw of a story by Dostoevsky. And in the movie... the woman, who is a very passive person and is very much in distress, asks herself the question, 'Can a bird sing only the song it knows, or can it learn a new song?' Have we got the capacity at all of singing new songs? It's very important that if we haven't, we might as well stop now. Helen Simpson.
The heroine, the Countess, is struggling out of the straitjackets of history as she is trying to escape her ancestors which constantly look down on her. However she does constantly ask herself the question but never seems to act upon it. When she does appear to act, when the spell is broken by the breaking of the glasses it was because she made a mistake and couldn't bring herself to kill him. Up to that point she is doing only what she knew and as she changes into a human it all becomes new for her and she tries to learn a new song only to end up dying. Overall she is very 'passive' in her fate but this could be that her ancestry 'ideology' is so ingrained that she can't escape that by even thinking about it is trying to break away.
The bicycle for the young man is his protection against superstition as for him it is the 'most rational mode of transport'. Carter has used it to symbolise the rationality of mankind in this new era of 'pubescent years of the present century'. It also is a modern invention that contrast sharply the Countesses aging world and shows a clash between past and present. Lastly it is a phallic symbol, 'two spheres and a straight line' which Carter has used to foreshadow the Countesses downfall at the hands of men.
3. What might be the significance of 'he gratefully washed his feet and hands' in the village fountain?
- Cleansing
- Religious imagery of washing and 'gratefully'
- He is oblivious to any apparent danger and shows his ignorance
4. 'Curiouser and curiouser' What does this suggest about the young man? Which other characters are you reminded of?
- Inter-textual reference to Alice in Wonderland showing his youth and inexperience
- He is inquisitive to the point that he is blind to danger
- The Father in Courtship of Mr Lyons is also lured in to the house.
5. The crone is described as bringing the young man to 'Juliet's tomb'. What is the significance of this inter-textual reference.
The word Juliet shows connotations of doomed lovers which have been forboded throughout with the tarot cards reading; 'Les Amouraux' and 'Le mort' (the lovers and death).
Romeo and Juliet's death however came about just to mistakes and misunderstanding which foreshadows the dropping of the glasses, a mistake on behalf of the Countess who is unable to kill him. This breaks the spell on her and she becomes human and ultimately dies leaving the room as 'juliet's tomb'. This also links in with fate and creates the question of 'star-crossed lovers' and love instead of sex.
6. 'What a grisly picture of a capering skeleton! He covered it up with a happier one, two young lovers, smiling at one another...' How is the young man presented here? What might Carter's purposes be?
Here his innocence tries to hide death and could suggest many things. Firstly that he will prevent death with his love or that he will mask death with love and ultimately bring the Countess to her demise which we find out is what actually happens. At this point however there is still hope that, just like in most fairy tales love conquers all. Carter here appears to make a statement that love is not without faults which hide underneath and sometimes love dies. Also his rational mind just sees them as 'cards' or 'pictures' and nothing special however there is elements of fate in the idea that he picked out the same two as the Countess.
7. 'can a bird sing only the song it knows, or can it learn a new song? One kiss, however, only one, woke up the Sleeping Beauty'
Carter makes significant use of repetition in this story. Why might this be? What is he significance of the examples about, both of which are repeated.
The repetition has connotations of the fairy tale which would tend to repeat key information and descriptions to give across a message. The repetition also comes from the Countess' stream of consciousness showing how she is trapped and doomed to repeat herself forever.
The first example suggests a metamorphosis could occur and links in to the later books in the collection. While the second one shows that the love shown in fairy tales has become some kind of conditioning which we all follow such as 'true loves kiss' however the real world isn't like that and now instead of one kiss waking her from her living nightmare it kills her.
8. 'And so he puts his mouth to the wound. He will kiss it better for her, as her mother, had she lived, would have done.' What is the significance of this quotation?
There is a sense of role reversal as 'he puts his mouth to the wound' as if he is the vampire about to drink from her.
His rational mind had decided earlier that she had lost her mother and is in his stream of consciousness is sticking to his hypothesis, 'as her mother, had she lived'.
There is a sense of caring and of love in how 'he will kiss it better' and it is more innocent that the relationships with 'dead lovers' she was used to. However it is still a society where he has to care for her as the man and he feels it is his duty to do so.
9. 'When he returned from the mess that evening, the heavy fragrance of Count Nosferatu's roses drifted down the stone corridor of the barracks to greet him, and his spartan quarters brimmed with the reeling odour of a glowing, velvet, monstrous flower whose petals had regained all their former bloom and elasticity, their corrupt, brilliant, baleful splendour. Next day, his regiment embarked for France.'
One interpretation of the ending could be her metamorphosis and a suggestion that she wasn't completely dead and may live on just as the flower did. It could also represent the revival of the curse as the flowers grew in the garden as a by-product of the curse. This use of the flower feeding on the dead could be a symbol that he is about to die. It has also been revealed that he had a 'fate in the fields of France' and that nothing would make him shiver in fear until the trenches. Here the flower died with her only to bloom and be revived by his death just as she and the garden would feed and survive on his death. By using a supernatural and negative semantic field of words such as 'reeking', 'monstrous' and 'corrupt' to juxtapose the other words Carter creates a sense of unease for the reader. The finality of the last line, 'his regiment embarked for France' further suggest the inevitability of death.
10. Overall, how would you explain Carter's presentation of the lady and soldier in this narrative?
The two characters are opposites, she is dark, predatory, ('she sinks her teeth into their neck') cursed, soulless and superstitious ('tarot cards.' )On the other hand he is rational, light (blond, blue eyed), gifted (special quality of virginity) and innocent. Within the Gothic there are aspects of the characters which have been subverted such as the hero is now the virgin. She is trapped in the past, 'her voice reverberated as if in a cave' as her views 'echo' the past as she finds herself trapped by her ancestors and the curse. She is not able to move on like the town below has and if forced to stay as she is. He represents the new world however which destroys some of her old ways and frees her in some sense only to be replaced by her, (as the flower blooms for him at the end). Altogether they are both not as expected for a Gothic novel and makes us question the past heroes and heroines we have encountered as well as their relationships.
11. Consider the following quotation. How does it help you to develop your own ideas about this narrative?
The heroines of these stories are struggling out of the straitjackets of history and ideology and biological essentialism. 'There's a story in The Bloody Chamber called 'The lady of the house of Love', said Carter, 'part of which derives from a movie version that I saw of a story by Dostoevsky. And in the movie... the woman, who is a very passive person and is very much in distress, asks herself the question, 'Can a bird sing only the song it knows, or can it learn a new song?' Have we got the capacity at all of singing new songs? It's very important that if we haven't, we might as well stop now. Helen Simpson.
The heroine, the Countess, is struggling out of the straitjackets of history as she is trying to escape her ancestors which constantly look down on her. However she does constantly ask herself the question but never seems to act upon it. When she does appear to act, when the spell is broken by the breaking of the glasses it was because she made a mistake and couldn't bring herself to kill him. Up to that point she is doing only what she knew and as she changes into a human it all becomes new for her and she tries to learn a new song only to end up dying. Overall she is very 'passive' in her fate but this could be that her ancestry 'ideology' is so ingrained that she can't escape that by even thinking about it is trying to break away.
Wednesday, 5 November 2014
Erl-King Summaries
The 'Erl-King' is the most innovative and experimental of the narratives.
Original-
The Erl-King is innovative within both the Gothic genre and the narratives. While following the religious conventions it draws upon the pagan religion such as the benevolent image of the green man however defies the Catholic convention of relationships. The heroine is more active, taking control of her situation at the end of the narrative. Her character is also not the innocent virgin or evil seductress found in most Gothic forms, similarly the Erl-King is also not a conventional character.
The shifting perspective is also innovative by not following the personal Gothic structure yet creates a similar feeling of uncertainty.
The Erl-King is innovative within both the Gothic genre and the narratives. While following the religious conventions it draws upon the pagan religion such as the benevolent image of the green man however defies the Catholic convention of relationships. The heroine is more active, taking control of her situation at the end of the narrative. Her character is also not the innocent virgin or evil seductress found in most Gothic forms, similarly the Erl-King is also not a conventional character.
The shifting perspective is also innovative by not following the personal Gothic structure yet creates a similar feeling of uncertainty.
Revised-
The Erl-King is innovative within both the Gothic genre and the narratives. The religious conventions, while normal for a Gothic plot are experimented with in the Erl- King as they draw upon, and questions, both pagan images and Catholic beliefs. The heroine is more active than in the other narratives, taking an unconventional role and control of her situation at the end. Her character is also not the innocent virgin or evil seductress found in most Gothic forms,
The shifting perspective is also innovative by not following the personal Gothic structure yet creates a similar feeling of uncertainty.
The shifting perspective is also innovative by not following the personal Gothic structure yet creates a similar feeling of uncertainty.
Sunday, 19 October 2014
Bettelheim
Fairy Tales and the Existential Predicament
1. How might Bettelheim's Ideas help us to understand fairy tales?
Betteleheim's interpretations of fairy tales such as Beauty and the Beast suggests that the duality of characters, good and evil, beautiful and beastly creates a simplistic view of moral dilemmas for a child to understand. Fairy Tales are designed to deal with unconscious feelings, expressing them in a safe way that allows the child to comprehend and understand their own feelings. Bettelheim expresses the belief that fairy tales expose a child to the darker sides of life without damaging them and work to prepare them for later conflicts they may have in their psyche by training their imaginations through these tales.
2. How do Bettelheim's ideas help us to understand the purposes of the gothic?
The gothic and its link to romanticism revolves around the forbidden feelings that are ingrained in fairy tales. Bettelheim highlights the issue of duality in fairy tales, the omnipresence of evil and the simulacra of the typical characters all of which are concepts touched by the gothic genre and specifically Angela Carter. The outlines of morality are also important to both forms however in gothic the boundaries are more blurred.
3. Why do you think Angela Carter mixes the fairy tale and gothic genres?
The mix of Gothic and fairy tales allows Carter to subtlety expose the darker conventions of fairy tales by portraying them through the Gothic's warped morality. The mix, creating a sense of magical realism, creates new messages that reveal underlying truths in today's society. Specifically through the magically simularcra which plays on the playfulness of fairy tales but also the disturbing elements of the Gothic genre.
Friday, 17 October 2014
Analysis of Angela Carter
1. Questions and Answers on the Text
- Who is Paulina Palmer?
A feminist critic on contemporary women's writing.
2. 5 Sentences
1. Gender roles are challenged through psychic transformations to challenge ideological limitations proposed in society.
2. The simulacra of what we are stems from what society has created of us
3. Woman are warned about the consumption of marriage as something to fear as society believes a sexual liberation is damaging to femininity.
4. The masks hide both what we don't want others to see (the tiger) but what society doesn't want us to see.
5. By exposing men and women as beasts Carter prosposes androgyny
5 Words
- Transformations
- Simulacra
- Femininity
- Masks
- Beasts
Masks imposed by society hide the true nature of humans as beasts.
3. 100 words
Original fairy tale characters and themes allow Carter to explore the interval, dark desires and fears of humans. Female narrators transcend the accepted social view by transforming and highlighting the dominance of patriarchy and social conformity. The polarities created her (man/woman) and those used in fairy tales (good/bad) are questioned by the ambiguity of the characters who wear masks. The unsubtly of the masks exemplify what is hidden, exposing the simulacra of mankind. Carter plays on social fears, the female annihilation by men and narcissistic obsessions which the narrators overcome. It is the deconstruction of these ideas that exposes faults in society.
- Who is Paulina Palmer?
A feminist critic on contemporary women's writing.
2. 5 Sentences
1. Gender roles are challenged through psychic transformations to challenge ideological limitations proposed in society.
2. The simulacra of what we are stems from what society has created of us
3. Woman are warned about the consumption of marriage as something to fear as society believes a sexual liberation is damaging to femininity.
4. The masks hide both what we don't want others to see (the tiger) but what society doesn't want us to see.
5. By exposing men and women as beasts Carter prosposes androgyny
5 Words
- Transformations
- Simulacra
- Femininity
- Masks
- Beasts
Masks imposed by society hide the true nature of humans as beasts.
3. 100 words
Original fairy tale characters and themes allow Carter to explore the interval, dark desires and fears of humans. Female narrators transcend the accepted social view by transforming and highlighting the dominance of patriarchy and social conformity. The polarities created her (man/woman) and those used in fairy tales (good/bad) are questioned by the ambiguity of the characters who wear masks. The unsubtly of the masks exemplify what is hidden, exposing the simulacra of mankind. Carter plays on social fears, the female annihilation by men and narcissistic obsessions which the narrators overcome. It is the deconstruction of these ideas that exposes faults in society.
Sunday, 12 October 2014
Tiger's Bride Questions
1. What are ‘the devil’s picture books’?
The devil's picture books is another name for a deck of cards. Named so because gambling was seen as a sin and linked with the devil as well as the extravagant pictures and designs on many decks.
2. What type of language is Carter using when the narrator calls The Beast ‘Milord’?
The narrator is being sarcastic when talking about the master. Carter has created her to be cynical and it highlights the irony the the one place she wants to go to save her father from his gambling addiction is the one placed he must indulge in it.
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’)?
White Rose symbolise the pure and innocent image associated with the perfect woman. In the Tiger's Bride Carter exposes that it is 'unnatural' which was not questioned in The Courtship of Mr Lyon as they focused on its perfect form. However similar to the snow child, the narrator gets pricked by the thorns and let the rose be 'smeared with blood' possibly suggesting her impurity. This could also be a symbol to the father that his objectification of Beauty as a possession he can gamble away makes her suffer.
4. What might be significant about the verb choice ‘fleeced’?
The word 'fleeced' is significant as Carter often refers to her heroines to lambs. In the story the narrator is the lamb who 'must learn to run with tigers'. It also refers back to their social situation where the father 'beggars himself' with gambling. There is also connotations to be covered similar to how the Beast covers his otherness and how Beauty's father is blinded by his own addiction to see how the Beast is playing him.
5. Which fairy tale does ‘gobble you up’ come from and why is it referred to?
The reference is to the Big Bad Wolf in Red Riding Hood and links the story back to its fairy tale roots. The Wolf here is replaced by a Tiger however the predatory nature is constantly referred to through references like this. It could also be a reference to Billy Goats Gruff and the troll under the bridge. At the beginning of the tale he is stopping them from regaining their wealth by insisting on playing cards where he is so obviously cheating. Within the Tiger's Bride it is there to scare the young narrator has while seemingly innocent when taken into the account of the Beast could be used to suggest rape or assault. It is foreboding that something sinister may happen to her when she meets the 'Tiger man' and links to the end where she confronts him and he begins to 'lick' her which, 'ripped off skin' to reveal the tigress.
6. What tells the reader that the inhabitants are not driven by appearances or luxuries?
The narrator points out that 'the beast has brought solitude not luxury with his money' in order to hide his otherness. Later the servant points out that they have 'dispensed with the servants' so no longer have the 'utility and pleasure' but are not at odds without it. These simply things help to isolate the Beast, As for luxuries he offers Beauty a lot of money to see her 'de nuda' as well as gambling, despite cheating, for a 'king's ransom'. These suggest that for the Beast money is not a problem and not really a luxury for him. The only place that appearances matter to the Beast is when he is trying to hide his otherness, his mask is 'too perfect' and he is completely covered from the wig, to the 'chaste silk stock' choker around his neck and his gloves. While this is supposed to cover his true appearance and act as a disguise it is what makes him stand out to Beauty as to her it appears 'two-dimensional'.
7. What is the significance of the fresco ‘where fruit and blossom grew on the bough together’?
The image of a 'wood where fruit and blossom grew on the bough together' inspires thoughts of Eden. This idyllic scene of nature and man in a symbiotic relationship is one that ties into the story as the Tiger cannot find this world in his home and must hide himself behind a 'mask' when with company. The narrator suggests that this scene is too perfect as the 'tiger will never lie down with the lamb' however it is not mythological either and can, with compromise, work as the 'lamb must learn to run with the tigers'. 'Fruit and blossom also seem to connect to women as a sign of beauty and fertility and it suggests it is rare that the two traits most valued in a woman go 'on the bough together'. On the other side of things the 'fruit' could be symbolic of the fruit of knowledge in the garden of Eden and could be used to forebode the curiosity of the Beast. As it is a fresco and painted into the wall it acts as a constant reminder to the Beast of nature however it could also show an element of control. The Beast is going against nature by living as a man instead of embrace his true self and by trapping nature inside he is exerting his control.
8. What is the description of the soubrette supposed to suggest to the reader?
Carter has used the doll like, soubrette to create an image of the objectification of women and society's ideal view of a woman. The first thing described of the 'maid' is the face, 'rosy cheeks'. 'nut-brown curls' and 'blue, rolling eyes'. These features first give the soubrette a human quality however the narrator is quick to 'recognise her' as a 'clockwork twin' giving the doll a more sinister feeling to it. As the description goes on it reflects society's needs for a woman. She is wearing 'white stockings' and a 'frilled petticoat' and her job is to serve. In one hand she is holding a 'looking glass' and makeup suggesting that appearances are important for a woman. The heroine herself, when indulging in makeup references that she is making herself look more like a doll. Within her heart the 'soubrette' carries 'a musical box' suggesting that woman should sweet and light like music, for example a common simile for a woman's voice is like bells or music. Lastly out of her bodice 'protrudes the handle of a key', the soubrette is under the control of men who wind it up whenever she is needed to perform her duties, A feminist reading of this would say that this demonstrates that women are unable to think and act for themselves. Another view of the soubrette's inhuman qualities and the valet's remark 'nothing human lives here' is a sign of the Beast's otherness and can be traced back in the Courtship of Mr Lyon where the Beast cannot bear to surround himself with those who he differs from.
9. How does the girl compare herself to animals?
The narrator expresses her feelings towards horses, that 'they are better than we are, and in the stables she 'lirruped and hurrumphed' to her horse. This affinity suggests her need to be free but also after seeing how the Beast treats his horses, giving them the 'use of the dining room' and she too wishes for this respect. She also likens herself to a 'lamb' which is a sacrifical symbol and in the end she sacrifices her human nature to be equal with the beast.
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’.
This suggests that the no matter how much the Tiger wishes he cannot change his nature to 'lie down with the lamb'. In a similar way the Beast couldn't change his nature and be a man, such as in the Courtship of Mr Lyons. Despite his disguises he is not quite human in company and on his own he reverted to his animal nature as he sits 'imprisoned between gnawed and bloody bones'. It can be suggested that in this story it is not just the narrator but the beast also that comes to terms with their animal nature. It is because of his unchanging nature that she must change for him, becoming a tigeress and making their pact reciprocal.
The devil's picture books is another name for a deck of cards. Named so because gambling was seen as a sin and linked with the devil as well as the extravagant pictures and designs on many decks.
2. What type of language is Carter using when the narrator calls The Beast ‘Milord’?
The narrator is being sarcastic when talking about the master. Carter has created her to be cynical and it highlights the irony the the one place she wants to go to save her father from his gambling addiction is the one placed he must indulge in it.
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’)?
White Rose symbolise the pure and innocent image associated with the perfect woman. In the Tiger's Bride Carter exposes that it is 'unnatural' which was not questioned in The Courtship of Mr Lyon as they focused on its perfect form. However similar to the snow child, the narrator gets pricked by the thorns and let the rose be 'smeared with blood' possibly suggesting her impurity. This could also be a symbol to the father that his objectification of Beauty as a possession he can gamble away makes her suffer.
4. What might be significant about the verb choice ‘fleeced’?
The word 'fleeced' is significant as Carter often refers to her heroines to lambs. In the story the narrator is the lamb who 'must learn to run with tigers'. It also refers back to their social situation where the father 'beggars himself' with gambling. There is also connotations to be covered similar to how the Beast covers his otherness and how Beauty's father is blinded by his own addiction to see how the Beast is playing him.
5. Which fairy tale does ‘gobble you up’ come from and why is it referred to?
The reference is to the Big Bad Wolf in Red Riding Hood and links the story back to its fairy tale roots. The Wolf here is replaced by a Tiger however the predatory nature is constantly referred to through references like this. It could also be a reference to Billy Goats Gruff and the troll under the bridge. At the beginning of the tale he is stopping them from regaining their wealth by insisting on playing cards where he is so obviously cheating. Within the Tiger's Bride it is there to scare the young narrator has while seemingly innocent when taken into the account of the Beast could be used to suggest rape or assault. It is foreboding that something sinister may happen to her when she meets the 'Tiger man' and links to the end where she confronts him and he begins to 'lick' her which, 'ripped off skin' to reveal the tigress.
6. What tells the reader that the inhabitants are not driven by appearances or luxuries?
The narrator points out that 'the beast has brought solitude not luxury with his money' in order to hide his otherness. Later the servant points out that they have 'dispensed with the servants' so no longer have the 'utility and pleasure' but are not at odds without it. These simply things help to isolate the Beast, As for luxuries he offers Beauty a lot of money to see her 'de nuda' as well as gambling, despite cheating, for a 'king's ransom'. These suggest that for the Beast money is not a problem and not really a luxury for him. The only place that appearances matter to the Beast is when he is trying to hide his otherness, his mask is 'too perfect' and he is completely covered from the wig, to the 'chaste silk stock' choker around his neck and his gloves. While this is supposed to cover his true appearance and act as a disguise it is what makes him stand out to Beauty as to her it appears 'two-dimensional'.
7. What is the significance of the fresco ‘where fruit and blossom grew on the bough together’?
The image of a 'wood where fruit and blossom grew on the bough together' inspires thoughts of Eden. This idyllic scene of nature and man in a symbiotic relationship is one that ties into the story as the Tiger cannot find this world in his home and must hide himself behind a 'mask' when with company. The narrator suggests that this scene is too perfect as the 'tiger will never lie down with the lamb' however it is not mythological either and can, with compromise, work as the 'lamb must learn to run with the tigers'. 'Fruit and blossom also seem to connect to women as a sign of beauty and fertility and it suggests it is rare that the two traits most valued in a woman go 'on the bough together'. On the other side of things the 'fruit' could be symbolic of the fruit of knowledge in the garden of Eden and could be used to forebode the curiosity of the Beast. As it is a fresco and painted into the wall it acts as a constant reminder to the Beast of nature however it could also show an element of control. The Beast is going against nature by living as a man instead of embrace his true self and by trapping nature inside he is exerting his control.
8. What is the description of the soubrette supposed to suggest to the reader?
Carter has used the doll like, soubrette to create an image of the objectification of women and society's ideal view of a woman. The first thing described of the 'maid' is the face, 'rosy cheeks'. 'nut-brown curls' and 'blue, rolling eyes'. These features first give the soubrette a human quality however the narrator is quick to 'recognise her' as a 'clockwork twin' giving the doll a more sinister feeling to it. As the description goes on it reflects society's needs for a woman. She is wearing 'white stockings' and a 'frilled petticoat' and her job is to serve. In one hand she is holding a 'looking glass' and makeup suggesting that appearances are important for a woman. The heroine herself, when indulging in makeup references that she is making herself look more like a doll. Within her heart the 'soubrette' carries 'a musical box' suggesting that woman should sweet and light like music, for example a common simile for a woman's voice is like bells or music. Lastly out of her bodice 'protrudes the handle of a key', the soubrette is under the control of men who wind it up whenever she is needed to perform her duties, A feminist reading of this would say that this demonstrates that women are unable to think and act for themselves. Another view of the soubrette's inhuman qualities and the valet's remark 'nothing human lives here' is a sign of the Beast's otherness and can be traced back in the Courtship of Mr Lyon where the Beast cannot bear to surround himself with those who he differs from.
9. How does the girl compare herself to animals?
The narrator expresses her feelings towards horses, that 'they are better than we are, and in the stables she 'lirruped and hurrumphed' to her horse. This affinity suggests her need to be free but also after seeing how the Beast treats his horses, giving them the 'use of the dining room' and she too wishes for this respect. She also likens herself to a 'lamb' which is a sacrifical symbol and in the end she sacrifices her human nature to be equal with the beast.
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’.
This suggests that the no matter how much the Tiger wishes he cannot change his nature to 'lie down with the lamb'. In a similar way the Beast couldn't change his nature and be a man, such as in the Courtship of Mr Lyons. Despite his disguises he is not quite human in company and on his own he reverted to his animal nature as he sits 'imprisoned between gnawed and bloody bones'. It can be suggested that in this story it is not just the narrator but the beast also that comes to terms with their animal nature. It is because of his unchanging nature that she must change for him, becoming a tigeress and making their pact reciprocal.
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