'The Lady of the House of Love' - Male Characters and Interpretations

Pages 111-112 
How is the young man presented? 

'Blonde, blue eyed' links to the 'perfect race' formed by the Nazi Germans in the second world war, so inclines us to think there will be conflict within the story that involves him, yet also tells us he is a handsome man that women (the countess) will fall for. 
'Blue eyes' also links to innocence that babies and small children possess, as well as his youth and 'virginity'. 
'Although so young, he is also rational' this contrasts with the irrational storyline and plot that concerns the vampire.

Page 112
What is the significance of the bicycle?

The bicycle is described as 'the product of pure reason applied to motions' and 'the most rational form of transport' which contradicts the theme of the irrational and supernatural within the story, with logic and human reason, as the bicycle symbolises human reason at work. Refusing to give away his bicycle symbolises his initial disbelief in the irrational, and his unwillingness to be separated from those which stand for reason and humanity. 

Page 113
What is the significance of 'he gratefully washed his feet and hands' in the village fountain? 

Washing his feet and hands could link to purity and washing away of sins, therefore it also contains religious themes and links to Jesus washing his disciples feet. This again has connotations of human reason and the rational, as the supernatural plays no part in this action. Because the fountain is also a trap, an object used to lure in innocent and unsuspecting people, the fact he 'gratefully' washes and drinks means that he may also be grateful in the future, grateful to meet the Countess. 

Page 114
'Curiouser and curiouser'
What does this suggest about the young man? Which other characters are you reminded of? 

It shows his youth and wish for answers, answers that derive from logic and reason. It suggests that he is inquisitive and wishes to find out about the world, yet at a first glance he sees that this situation may be different from the rest, due to the elusive Countess and mysterious woman that meets him in the square. I am reminded of Alice and Wonderland, and the fact that Alice falls into a completely irrational and supernatural world, just like the male character in this story. 

Page 116 
The crone is described as bringing the young man to 'Juliet's tomb'. What is the significance of this intertextual reference? 

'Juliet's tomb' is a direct reference to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, highlighting the future romance between the characters, and the event of the Countess dying. Even though in Romeo and Juliet both characters die, the emphasis on only 'Juliet's' tomb, foreshadows her death. Also, it links to the supernatural and the 'undead' being of the vampire, playing on the role of a coffin as a bed. 

Page 117
'What a grisly picture of a capering skeleton! He covered it up with a happier one - of two young lovers smiling at one another....' 
How is the young man presented here? What might Carters purposes be?

This ignorance of the bad and ugly things within the world, shows his positive outlook and refusal of negative things. It also presents the Countess as the 'capering skeleton', therefore showing that he is the remedy, helping transform them both into 'young lovers'. He is also displayed as powerful, as he changes the pictures to something he desires, as well as changes the situation the Countess is in. 

Page 119
'Can a bird sing only the song it knows, or can it learn a new song?'
'One kiss however, and only one, woke up the sleeping beauty' 
Carter makes significant use of repetition in this story. Why might this be? What is the significance of the examples above, both of which are repeated in the course of the narrative.

'Can a bird sing only the song it knows, or can it learn a new song?' links to the idea that the Countess wishes to change what her life has become, and wonders if it is possible to become more human, and sing a 'different song'. Carter is exploring if old behaviour can be changed, as well as our ideologies. 'She hovers... between life and death, sleeping and waking' links to the idea that 'Sleeping Beauty' can be awoken by a kiss. The Countess desires the love and affection from the handsome boy, and thinks that his kiss will wake her, as it did in the fairytale of Sleeping Beauty. When the boy 'kisses' the wound 'better' the liminality of her condition is shown even further as instead of being awoken, she dies. The repetition of the fairytale line, is to foreshadow that the Countess will die, making this quote ironic, as she planned to be saved. In a way she was saved from the life she hated, and the only way to be saved was death. 

Page 123
'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? 

The man wishes to take care of her, however is unaware that his kiss will kill her. The idea of him taking care of her as a mother would have done, shows the connection between the characters. The fact she misses the mother figure in her life, and clings to her through the wearing of her wedding dress, something the man takes advantage of. If we look at it positively however, it also shows the caring behaviour of the man, as all he thinks about is making her life better and happier. The fact he kisses her wound however, reverses the roles of the two characters, making him 'motherly' and more feminine. 

Page 125
How might we interpret the ending? 

Because the flower was once again blooming, we could interpret it that the Countess has come back to live either as a vampire once more, or a human. The words 'corrupt' and 'monstrous' are contrasted with 'glowing' and 'brilliant' which may represent the way the man thinks about the Countess, as he realises the monstrous things she has done, as well as her beauty. The use of a rose is also significant, as although they are magnificent flowers, their thorns can do damage; like the Countess' fangs. 

Overall, how would you explain Carter's presentation of the Lady and the Soldier in this narrative? 

The Countess, being described as a Gothic supernatural being is represented as both powerful and helpless, as she has the ability to take lives, yet cannot change the life she hates living. When she meets the Soldier she is thrown into chaos, and is even more vulnerable because of her want for 'another type of consummation' and the loneliness she feels without her mother. His purity 'blinds' her, making her weak and 'childlike'. The Soldier however does not understand the effect has has on her, due to his naivety and innocence, symbolical of his unbroken virginity. He notices the Countess' beauty and comments on her lips, similar to that of a 'whore', emphasising the way she bites (therefore kills) lots of people, yet he see's it in a sexual way. We see he is caring as he attempts to help the lady, however he is unaware that his help is the thing that kills her in the end. This could be an allegory for the constant relationship between men and women, in which the man does not realise he is killing the woman by being himself. This theme is also demonstrated in The Erl-King, as he is not aware that he will be the girls downfall.