The bloody chamber can be seen as adult fairytales. For example in the company of wolves the typical feature of a fairytale is present, 'What big eyes you have...all the better to see you with...' This immediately reminds the reader of the fairytale origins surrounding this story. However it has been twisted with elements that make it suitable for adults. For example at the end of the company of wolves she doesnt get eaten by him, however quite the opposite, 'between the paws of the tender wolf'. Here the use of 'between' has connotations of intimacy and affection which conveys how Angela Carter has re-interpreted the traditional fairytale genre to having moral undertones to conveying lust and spontaneity.
The bloody chamber can also be seen as a re-interpretation of the gothic.
Tuesday, 25 May 2010
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
Frankenstein comparative
Consider the gothic element and its key themes. How can they be compared to the other two texts?
Frankenstein has many gothic elements for example the use of raw and powerful emotions, '...and my passions vehement;' We are conveyed how Victor has a strong sense of ardour for his love of knowledge and the sciences. There are other moments in which raw and powerful emotions are shown for example when the creature kills William 'my heart swelled with exultation and hellish triumph' here we are illustrated how the creature thrives upon his strength. Shelley has depicted the characters to be controlled by their emotions, conveying how powerful they truly are. This is seen when Victor spends two years creating the creature for his love of knowledge, he becomes engulfed in his passion.
This feature of raw and powerful emotions can be seen in Macbeth. For example after he has killed King Duncan Shakespeare conveys how paranoid and fearful he is, 'the innocent doth sleep'. The use of 'innocent' depicts how Macbeth sees that he has committed a sin and that he regrets what he has done because of how it has affected him. Thus showing how emotionally strong he feels towards what he has committed. However this element is not as prominent in Macbeth as after he murders King Duncan he seems to become distant and is able to murder Banquo and Macduff's wife and son. Furthermore he commits these acts by abusing his power and not showing any emotions, no regret or pain at ordering Banquo killed or guilt for ordering the death of a defenceless chidl and woman.
Another gothic element that is frequently used in Frankenstein is sinister settings and atmospheres. 'the icy wall of the glacier overhung me...' The use of 'wall' has connotations of a barrier of a kind, an entrapment that Victor cannot escape. This is a key moment in which Shelley uses scenery and nature to create a gothic feel of a morbid and sinister setting that adds to the approaching climax of the initial meeting between creature and creator.
This key aspect of the gothic can also be seen in Macbeth. The use of desert heaths and 'thunder and lightning' always occurs during the weird sisters meetings. The use of this dark, dreary weather adds to the supernatural of the weird sisters as it creates an isolation in which the reader is focused just on the witches on these deserted heaths. Thus adding to the intensity of what they say as the audience is focused on the weird sisters, their language is heightened by the setting.
Frankenstein has many gothic elements for example the use of raw and powerful emotions, '...and my passions vehement;' We are conveyed how Victor has a strong sense of ardour for his love of knowledge and the sciences. There are other moments in which raw and powerful emotions are shown for example when the creature kills William 'my heart swelled with exultation and hellish triumph' here we are illustrated how the creature thrives upon his strength. Shelley has depicted the characters to be controlled by their emotions, conveying how powerful they truly are. This is seen when Victor spends two years creating the creature for his love of knowledge, he becomes engulfed in his passion.
This feature of raw and powerful emotions can be seen in Macbeth. For example after he has killed King Duncan Shakespeare conveys how paranoid and fearful he is, 'the innocent doth sleep'. The use of 'innocent' depicts how Macbeth sees that he has committed a sin and that he regrets what he has done because of how it has affected him. Thus showing how emotionally strong he feels towards what he has committed. However this element is not as prominent in Macbeth as after he murders King Duncan he seems to become distant and is able to murder Banquo and Macduff's wife and son. Furthermore he commits these acts by abusing his power and not showing any emotions, no regret or pain at ordering Banquo killed or guilt for ordering the death of a defenceless chidl and woman.
Another gothic element that is frequently used in Frankenstein is sinister settings and atmospheres. 'the icy wall of the glacier overhung me...' The use of 'wall' has connotations of a barrier of a kind, an entrapment that Victor cannot escape. This is a key moment in which Shelley uses scenery and nature to create a gothic feel of a morbid and sinister setting that adds to the approaching climax of the initial meeting between creature and creator.
This key aspect of the gothic can also be seen in Macbeth. The use of desert heaths and 'thunder and lightning' always occurs during the weird sisters meetings. The use of this dark, dreary weather adds to the supernatural of the weird sisters as it creates an isolation in which the reader is focused just on the witches on these deserted heaths. Thus adding to the intensity of what they say as the audience is focused on the weird sisters, their language is heightened by the setting.
Thursday, 13 May 2010
FRANKENSTEIN
Frankenstein can be seen as an unorginal text that is based on other stories. DISCUSS. (get your discussion ON)
There are references to other texts that Frankenstein has had influence from. For example John Milton's Paradise Lost, where the creature finds this text and uses it to educate himself. He then finds himself relating to Adam and the Devil. 'Like Adam, I was apparantly united by no link to any other being in existence;' Here the use of 'united' conveys how he sees how Adam is alone, and sees the parallel of this lonliness in his own life and therefore feels the connection to Adam.
Also just as Adam was the first creation it can be viewed that the creature was the first creation of Victor's. The basis of Frankenstein being influenced by Milton's Paradise Lost, can be seen through this as it shows how the tale has a huge effect on the creature. Furthermore the similarities from God to being a creator as Victor is, and Adam to the creature shows how much the two texts have in common.
Furthermore another text Frankenstein could be based upon is Prometheus. Prometheus was the myth about the titan Prometheus who had the task of moulding mankind out of clay and when Zeus withheld fire from man, Prometheus went and stole the fire for his creation. Frankenstein did originally have the sub-title 'the modern Prometheus' and it can be seen in some aspects how Frankenstein is similar to Prometheus.
Victor Frankenstein can be viewed as Prometheus in the aspect of them being creators and just as Prometheus was a titan and had physical powers, Victor has the power of knowledge and determination, '...improved so rapidly...I made some discoveries...procurred me great esteem...from the university' The use of 'rapidly' illustrates how Victor Frankenstein is not only knowledgable but has a 'passion' for his studies that many others do not. Just as Prometheus cared for his creation of mankind, Victor fulfilled his hunger for knowledge and nurtured his learning.
However there are differences which make Frankenstein an original text. For example Victor is unlike Prometheus in the sense that he rejects his creature where as Prometheus indirectly sacrifices his life to procure the fire from Zeus for mankind, Victor wants to be rid of his. In addition to this Frankenstein is an original text as the basis of the tale is about creation it also has prominent themes of nature being a form of solace, companionship and isolation. Also Frankenstein differs from Milton's paradise lost as Victor's creature differs from Adam in the sense that Adam gains his companion, being Eve where as the creature is continuously rejected by society. Furthermore Adam is loved by God unconditionally where as the creature is seen as an abomination by Victor, '...at this catastrophe...'
There are references to other texts that Frankenstein has had influence from. For example John Milton's Paradise Lost, where the creature finds this text and uses it to educate himself. He then finds himself relating to Adam and the Devil. 'Like Adam, I was apparantly united by no link to any other being in existence;' Here the use of 'united' conveys how he sees how Adam is alone, and sees the parallel of this lonliness in his own life and therefore feels the connection to Adam.
Also just as Adam was the first creation it can be viewed that the creature was the first creation of Victor's. The basis of Frankenstein being influenced by Milton's Paradise Lost, can be seen through this as it shows how the tale has a huge effect on the creature. Furthermore the similarities from God to being a creator as Victor is, and Adam to the creature shows how much the two texts have in common.
Furthermore another text Frankenstein could be based upon is Prometheus. Prometheus was the myth about the titan Prometheus who had the task of moulding mankind out of clay and when Zeus withheld fire from man, Prometheus went and stole the fire for his creation. Frankenstein did originally have the sub-title 'the modern Prometheus' and it can be seen in some aspects how Frankenstein is similar to Prometheus.
Victor Frankenstein can be viewed as Prometheus in the aspect of them being creators and just as Prometheus was a titan and had physical powers, Victor has the power of knowledge and determination, '...improved so rapidly...I made some discoveries...procurred me great esteem...from the university' The use of 'rapidly' illustrates how Victor Frankenstein is not only knowledgable but has a 'passion' for his studies that many others do not. Just as Prometheus cared for his creation of mankind, Victor fulfilled his hunger for knowledge and nurtured his learning.
However there are differences which make Frankenstein an original text. For example Victor is unlike Prometheus in the sense that he rejects his creature where as Prometheus indirectly sacrifices his life to procure the fire from Zeus for mankind, Victor wants to be rid of his. In addition to this Frankenstein is an original text as the basis of the tale is about creation it also has prominent themes of nature being a form of solace, companionship and isolation. Also Frankenstein differs from Milton's paradise lost as Victor's creature differs from Adam in the sense that Adam gains his companion, being Eve where as the creature is continuously rejected by society. Furthermore Adam is loved by God unconditionally where as the creature is seen as an abomination by Victor, '...at this catastrophe...'
Thursday, 29 April 2010
Macbeth can be seen as...
Macbeth can be seen as a play about fate and destiny:
Macbeth can be viewed as a play about one man's fate, this can seen through the use of the witches and their prophecies 'All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!' This prediction from the witches gives the overall tragedy a fate-like atmosphere, that Macbeth himself is not control of his future, yet he is being controlled by a higher authority and the witches are the messengers to tell him of his mysterious destiny to be king. Furthermore the idea of prophecy is strengthened when macbeth says 'With such prophetic greeting?' Shakespeare is illustrating a prophetic setting surrounding the witches, and the use of 'prophetic' strengthens the idea of the witches and them being the messengers of fate. Furthermore the power of the wicthes is conveyed when moments after seeing them, macbeth is hailed the Thane of Cawdor, 'this supernatural soliciting, cannot be ill, cannot be good' here macbeth has realised and now believes the witches prophecies and is now questioning their intentions, thus giving them a status as they behold knowledge of future events that Macbeth does not. The use of the witches prophecies strengthens the concept of macbeth being controlled by fate and not by his own choices.
Macbeth can be viewed as a play about one man's fate, this can seen through the use of the witches and their prophecies 'All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!' This prediction from the witches gives the overall tragedy a fate-like atmosphere, that Macbeth himself is not control of his future, yet he is being controlled by a higher authority and the witches are the messengers to tell him of his mysterious destiny to be king. Furthermore the idea of prophecy is strengthened when macbeth says 'With such prophetic greeting?' Shakespeare is illustrating a prophetic setting surrounding the witches, and the use of 'prophetic' strengthens the idea of the witches and them being the messengers of fate. Furthermore the power of the wicthes is conveyed when moments after seeing them, macbeth is hailed the Thane of Cawdor, 'this supernatural soliciting, cannot be ill, cannot be good' here macbeth has realised and now believes the witches prophecies and is now questioning their intentions, thus giving them a status as they behold knowledge of future events that Macbeth does not. The use of the witches prophecies strengthens the concept of macbeth being controlled by fate and not by his own choices.
Wednesday, 31 March 2010
The Courtship Of Mr Lyon
Set in a typical fairytale setting, based upon Beauty and the Beast. Shows the typical fairytale setting through use of ‘eat me’ and ‘drink me’, reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland, also told in third person, another traditional feature of beauty and the beast. However differs from the original Beauty and the Beast as the beauty is more harsh as she forgets about the beast and does not return until she is summoned by his faithful spaniel.
Has a subtle connection to The Bloody Chamber as Beauty’s father lacks fear when he goes to Beast’s house just as the main protagonist in The Bloody Chamber has no fear when she goes to the bloody chamber.
Has a gothic element such as the beast’s isolation from society connecting to other gothic texts such as Frankenstein where his creature is marginalised from society and so is the cottager’s lover Saife. This isolation of the beast is mirrored by the weather –pathetic fallacy- ‘might have been the reflection of the stars if any star could have penetrated the snow’.
Has a subtle connection to The Bloody Chamber as Beauty’s father lacks fear when he goes to Beast’s house just as the main protagonist in The Bloody Chamber has no fear when she goes to the bloody chamber.
Has a gothic element such as the beast’s isolation from society connecting to other gothic texts such as Frankenstein where his creature is marginalised from society and so is the cottager’s lover Saife. This isolation of the beast is mirrored by the weather –pathetic fallacy- ‘might have been the reflection of the stars if any star could have penetrated the snow’.
LADY OF THE HOUSE OF LOVE,WHAT A LONG TITLE!
She has a child like appearance and is wearing a bridal dress, making it more perverse as she is a child, yet so old. The hero is a young male victim, his innocence is also a prominent theme, similar to the main protagonist in the Bloody Chamber , ‘special quality of virginity’ similar to bloody chamber ‘in my innocence…a rare talent for corruption’ And also seen in The Tiger’s Bride ‘I was unaccustomed to nakedness’. A running theme throughout, which is usually associated with the main character, usually a reason for their strength, in their naivety they are not afraid like how she is not afraid of dying or going into the bloody chamber he is not afraid of her ‘he cannot feel terror’, their innocence is what saves them in the end, e.g. the lady of the house of love the vampires is shocked by how he does not want to immediately sleep with her, yet he sees for something more than just a sexual object, ‘would like to take her into his arms and protect her’. He is strong in this sense, that he is brave enough to accept her even though she is a mystery to him, just as the main protagonist in the bloody chamber accepts her fate, ‘I would always be lonely’ even before marrying him she has accepted that he will not be the passionate husband yet accepts her fate.
Also Carter uses a subtle aspect of nature through use of roses and flowers ‘red roses blew into his face’
Also Carter uses a subtle aspect of nature through use of roses and flowers ‘red roses blew into his face’
Wolf Alice
This tale, has a strong theme of transformation, however it differs from the other tales which have this prominent theme. This is because, in the other tales the main characters know of their true nature, and long to be the opposite for example in the courtship of Mr. Lyon, the beast longed to be human and in the tigers bride she desired liberation and ended up transforming into a tiger, gaining the liberation from her former life. However in Wolf-Alice, she is unknowing of her true nature; however she is content being a wolf. Although society does not accept her way of living, she refuses to change, showing marginalisation from society as she does not conform to their roles, of being a normal human girl, she chooses to live in this manner and is happy to do so. However she is then rejected and sent to the duke, who is a werewolf, and it is seen how they are both forced out from society. Although she then learns to accept her true nature, and gradually from the discovery of a mirror which shows her, her true nature as a human, and the impact of her period, she learns to accept her human side and how to act human. This conveys a theme that is also significant and frequent in Carter’s tales which is acceptance. In Wold-Alice she learns to accept her nature as a human, and because of her former identity as a wolf she can also accept the duke’s nature as a werewolf.
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