3. Language

What is interesting or significant about the way in which Carter uses language in this story? Choose two aspects of Carter's language and explain their significance. 

In 'The Bloody Chamber', various colours are used as motifs; symbolic of ideas, events and character traits. For example, 'red' is a constant theme that runs throughout the story - linking to the 'bloody chamber' itself, as red connotes blood and death. Many people also believe that the 'bloody chamber' is symbolic of the womb, adding another layer of horror as the 'womb' becomes a tomb in which dead bodies are stored. 
 

'Red ribbon' and 'a choker of rubies' both link to the Gothic theme of entrapment, as 'tied' links to being withheld and the red rubies depict the claim of possession the Marquis has over the young girl. The 'choker of rubies' presented like 'an extraordinarily precious slit throat' hints at the vicious behaviour and thoughts of the Marquis, as this foreshadows the 'decapitation' he plans to perform at the end of the story. A biblical reference is also used, as the crowd 'parts like the Red Sea', showing the control of the Marquis and the position of which he holds in society. The Marquis, being a selfish character, clearly thinks he is greater than man, as he decides whose life to take, using the power - from a religious point of view - only God should have.  The colour 'red' is also contrasted with the colour of 'white' to show the journey from childhood into womanhood. It is representative of the 'bloody sheets' that show the loss of her virginity; something that also links to the idea of this story being about the womb and sexuality. 

Before the girl loses her virginity, she wears 'white muslin' - a colour connected with purity and angelic women; something that is featured heavily in victorian ideology. When the girl loses her virginity; she is no longer the angelic child, she 'ceases to be her mother's child in becoming his wife' as she has progressed into womanhood. 

The exploration of phallic symbols (and in the protagonists case; a phallus itself), represents the relationship between man and woman; presenting men as selfish, greedy and cruel - pointing out their flaws in hopes to change their ways. Carter has used phallic imagery in several different locations to show that it is men who are the dominant ones and have the power in both the relationship and society.  Sexuality is explored throughout the use of phallic imagery; 'great pistons ceaselessly thrusting' connotes the act of making 'love', as the train - being a phallic symbol and machine created by man - adds sexual tension to the story. Whilst the narrator is riding the train she uses promiscous vocabularly to describe her 'satin nightdress' as it 'teasingly carresed her...nudging between her thighs' representing the more mature path of marriage she is taking and foreshadowing the consumation of their marriage. The fact she is journeying on a phallic symbol and then acts in a more sexual way is significant, as the language used isn't that of an angelic girl and it shows the 'potentiality for corruption' within her desires.

The 'spikes' and 'turrets' of the castle also link to phallic imagery, presenting the control and power the Marqius has over her because the phallic symbols create the theme of entrapment, locking her in the tower and keeping her in with 'spikes' - and patriarchy dictates he owns the property, making her simply a guest. The ending depicts the protagonists mother saving her from death by shooting The Marquis with her husbands gun. The gun is also a phallic symbol, and it implies women are incapable of saving themselves and must be protected and saved by men and their inventions. Carter, uses the strong character of the protagonist's Mother to kill the Marquis, displaying her feminist views and her wish for equality in society.