7. When and Where

When and where is this story set? Why might this be?

The Bloody Chamber, set in 19th Century France, is introduced in the period of the 'Fin de Siècle' - a time of artistic development and decadence, influencing the wealth and excessive behaviour of the Marquis. With 'gold bath taps' and a 'castle' for a house, it is clear to the audience the Marquis is a typical Bourgeoisie; an upper-class product of the time the narrative is set. The uncertainty experienced within this time also, links to the Gothic fear of the unknown, and the protagonist's naive thoughts at the beginning of the story; she is unaware he has plans to kill her. It is uncertain to the audience whether the protagonist will die or live, or how the story will unfold towards the end.  

Artistic development and flourishing also links to the Marquis' collection of artwork, most specifically the 'Rops'. The grotesque depiction of 'lovers' within the painting is described with crude expression, hinting at the danger, violence and lust within the Marquis. The use of the 'fin de siècle' as a setting shows the liminality of the times, and therefore this is portrayed within the characters (such as the Marquis) also. Being on the cusp of the old and new ideals within society can also show the duality of a person, who is both pliable to the old and the new.

Carter, basing this story of the tale of Bluebeard, has chosen to also use a similar setting, as the tale, too, was set in France. The setting of Paris within both stories alludes to a romantic, lustful theme within the narrative, which is key to the narrators initial reaction and attraction to the Marquis.

The Marquis' castle is situated in the north-west of France, on the coast of Brittany; a place supposedly filled with mythological tales that adhere to the supernatural tone of the Gothic theme. The climate, often filled with rainfall, adds to the atmosphere of both the Gothic genre, and the action within the story. Pathetic fallacy draws upon the atmosphere and weather of the location, so a naturally dismal or rainy place adds to the plausibility of the story and the details within it.

Carter may have chosen this time period, as the social and moral ideologies are different to todays. The ferocious control the male has over the females within the story is that of the Patriarchal society; something that was important in the 19th century, not only in Victorian England but in France too. Carter's chosen society dictates that the control he has over his wife (and past wives) be normal. 'The vision of the world presented in them [the story] is moral' needs to be enforced in order for a moral to be gained at the end of the story. Although there is no clear moral within this story, other than the feminist theme that runs throughout the events, this quote can still be applied to the morality of the society that the story is set. Carter has used a moral society to emphasise the grotesque and terror evoking murders the Marquis has committed. However, the chilling reaction of the protagonist, who seems to react to the murders as if they were rational, not irrational, shows us that in a world where man can do no wrong, their sins are not accounted for. Yet, because the world is moral it is a world where 'justice is done and where everything finally is fair'. This, an explanation of the two page conclusion to the story shows us that because the story is set in a moral world, the events, although irrational and satanic, are adopted and transformed by Justice.