8. Time

How does carter manage time in this story? What might be the reasons for her choices?

In The Bloody Chamber, we are made aware that the story is being told retrospectively through phrases such as 'I remember'. The narrator, also the protagonist of the tale, tells us about the traumatic events of her past, however we are not given a time frame in which these events happen. It is not clear how many weeks, months, years or even days, she is narrating from, or how long she - as the story develops - stays married to the Marquis. This blur of reality is something that adheres to the Gothic genre as it reverses the rational sense of time to create a mysterious supernatural quality to the story. 

'I looked at the precious little clock..the hands had scarcely moved one single hour forward' shows us that the events that have just occurred were concealed within a short space of time, creating tension within the story and alluding to further events. We can tell that the protagonist wasn't aware of time herself as she has been kept inside the castle. 'Time was his servant, too, it would trap me here' shows the female oppression within their relationship and the patriarchal control he has over his wife. Time being his 'servant' means, it too, would have to obey him, as he owns the house and the possessions within it, including time and it passing. 

On page 31 the protagonist loses consciousness, and for what amount of time is not clear, creating a blur between the boundaries of time, as well as the idea of being both within and without yourself, due to your conscious or unconscious state of mind. 

These examples show that Carter has used the blurring of time to enhance the ideas of oppression and entrapment of women, two very prominent Gothic themes. She uses it to create a supernatural atmosphere within her story as the unclear boundaries of time create an uneasy feeling within the story, and a feeling of uncertainty that links to the irrational sense of the Gothic and supernatural. 

Gothic Tables

Gothic tables.docx

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.

 

6. Key Themes

What do you consider to be the key themes of this short story? Does the story have one or more messages for the reader? If so, what might these be?

 

Entrapment and violence, to me, seem to be the two most prominent key themes within Angela Carter's 'The Bloody Chamber', and they are two of the most Gothic. These themes are conveyed using setting, action and speech, conveying further themes of the degradation of women and the way that men are portrayed.

The entrapment can be based on the fact she is being trapped within the relationship, through the ceremony of marriage; an ironic use of the tradition as marriage should be about love, and the union of two people. Instead, this marriage is seen as a device used for the male to gain control over the protagonist and 'trap' her. We can see this is evident from the 'wedding gift' the Marquis presents to the narrator; 'a choker of rubies, two inches wide, like an extraordinary precious slit throat'. 'Choker' connotes the image of being tied within chains, unable to escape, linking to the idea of entrapment, as well as possession. The Marquis claims his 'wife' as his possession, by branding her with something of his own. The necklace also, being tight fitting and almost to the point of strangulation shows us that she is unable to avoid this situation and find herself trapped by his power and wealth; something that allured her to him in the first place. This cruel necklace symbolises 'the memory of a wound' by being presented as a slit throat, adding the first element of violence into the story. This necklace also foreshadows the Marquis' desire to behead the protagonist - something he feels she cannot escape. Not only does this portray the helplessness and defenceless characteristics of the protagonist - linked to females in general - but it demonstrates the patriarchal society in which Carter wished to break free from. However, by creating a protagonist who is not incredibly strong willed or powerful, she is reinforcing gender roles. Towards the end of the novel though, the narrators mother, a powerful, ambitious and daring character, saves the day, alluding to the fairytale ending.

The setting she then ventures to is his house in France. The house is described as having 'turrets' and 'spiked gates' which all suggest the theme of entrapment and the idea that she will be unable to leave or escape his home. 'Cut off by the tide from land for half a day' also suggests the isolation evident with both the house and the marriage, indicating the narrator truly is trapped within the perimeter. 'Spiked gate' not only lends itself to entrapment, but also connotes a violent nature as the 'spikes' are often connoted with weapons, causing pain to anyone trying to scale the gates. The protagonist is kept in the 'turret suite', reminding the audience of a princess locked in a tower, waiting to be rescued. This fairytale similarity shows the entrapment of the female within a phallic symbol, with no way of escape; however it does suggest a happy ending, like the examples found within children’s stories.  

Violence is most associated with the Marquis, as he, being the stereotypical Gothic villain, murdered his three previous wives. The Bloody Chamber is based on the tale of Bluebeard, and follows a similar plot line. Violence is apparent in both stories, however the gruesome behaviour and actions of the Marquis is, quite possibly, more shocking for the audience. The 'torture chamber', filled with 'blood', 'embalmed' corpses, 'skulls' and 'coffins' - all stereotypical gruesome and shocking items. 'She was pierced by not one, but by a hundred spikes' links to the gate, displaying the terrifying behaviour of the Marquis. The 'Iron maiden' is also featured, a Victorian torture method that the Marquis employs within his murderous work. Not only does this highlight the psychotic disposition of the male character, but it demonstrates the power he had over his wives, and the power he now holds over his wife.

As mentioned earlier, the narrator’s mother rescues her daughter, removing her from the 'trapped' situation she found herself in. This action of saving her daughter results in an 'irreproachable bullet through my [the protagonist's] husbands head', reversing the gender roles found previously within the narrative. The male character, now the prey instead of the predator, is murdered, by none other than a woman. Carter has included this violence to conclude the story and give it the happy ending she desired, whilst also reinventing the gender roles, presenting the heroic woman as unstoppable and powerful.

Even though the two key themes within The Bloody Chamber are contradictory, so much as, entrapment within the story portrays females as weak and submissive, trapped within the constraints of men and their leading roles, yet violence concludes the story and shows that women can become heroines and save the day, adding a duality to the story and the character within it.



5. Structure

What is significant or interesting about Carter's structural choices in this story? How has she put the story together and why has she made particular choices?

Choose one aspect of Carter's structure and explain its significance

 

'The Bloody Chamber' explores the relationship between the Marquis and his new bride, however even though the story is written chronologically, it is written in past tense - narrated retrospectively by the protagonist, an unknown amount of time after the events occur.

We are introduced to the story in past tense, 'I remember' signals to us that the protagonist is looking back on events, instead of writing the events in the way they happened. This then continues with 'And I remember' remaining this way throughout the novel, until the present tense is used at the end of the story. After several pages of description and relaying of events, parentheses are used to give the reader information that deviates from the main action of the story. '(I swear to you, I had never been vain until I met him)' is the retrospective narrator talking, telling us minor details about her personality and the 'potentiality for corruption' she sensed within herself. This quote also shows the negative character traits the Marquis possesses and the ability to warp and change an innocent girl, hinting at the patriarchal society and control men exercise over women. There is however another way to look at the change within the narrator, as 'until I met him' also links to his lifestyle, money and gifts, which could have also 'corrupted' her. It shows that women are also influenced by greed and power in the same way men are. 'I swear to you' addresses the reader directly, a language device that informs Carter's structural choice to write the story retrospectively.

Carter also addresses the reader directly when saying 'You must remember how ill at ease I was in that luxurious place' displaying the control she has over both the telling of the story and what we think of both her and the Marquis. By using the word 'must' she is asserting her power of the readership, emphasising the view she wants us to have of her, almost reassuring herself that both her and the readers think of her as the helpless victim, causing us to feel sorry for her.

We see the narrator has become wiser and more knowledgeable (we later find out it is forbidden knowledge, kept away from her by her husband) through the line 'I was only a little girl, I did not understand'. 'I was only a little girl' shows not only how helpless and vulnerable the past tense character was, but how much stronger and adult the present tense narrator is too. We can see that something will happen that gives the character more power, as even when having lost her virginity she still describes herself as a 'child', foreshadowing that her defining moment is yet to come. 'I did not understand' also foreshadows an event or conversation that gives the protagonist insight into the Marquis' behaviour and ultimately the horrific acts of violence he has committed whilst playing upon his psychotic tendencies. This not only hints at what is to come within the story, but also engages the reader due to the fact we want to find out what she doesn't 'understand' and how she is enlightened.

After the climax of the story, a new paragraph is used, indicating the change in scenery, time and location; a structural device used in several other points in the book, for example straight after 'The next day, we were married'. This missed line within the body of text also adds a dramatic pause, building the tension and letting the information previously given sink in. 'bullet through my husband’s head' is the last line before the break in text, emphasising it's importance to the story and the shocking event that occurred. Carter then provides a time gap; the amount of time lost is unknown, however the text reverts to the present tense. The story, no longer written in retrospect, ties up loose ends and gives a fairy-tale ending to the plot. The element of a retrospective narrator however is a Gothic convention, and links to the revenant; the returning of the past. In the recollection of a memory, the Marquis returns from the dead to haunt the narrators thoughts, and shows that even though the traumatic events are over, she will always be reminded of the Marquis from the 'red mark' on her forehead. This indicates that however hard we try we can never escape the past, making this story one of the most Gothic within the collection.



4. Form

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

'The Bloody Chamber' is presented to us through the eyes of the un-named protagonist, as she tells the story through first person narration. The story begins 'I remember how', showing us we will embark on the journey along side the character, learning as she learns. 'Remember' also shows the narrator is looking back retrospectively at the events; something that becomes clearer at the end of the novel. Because the story is written retrospectively, it implies a lesson can be learnt from the events, foreshadowing the physical and emotional journey the character goes on. The narrator is speaking in present day, therefore for the events to occur in first person, past tense is used. Throughout the novel it becomes less apparent however, as we are given details at the same time as the protagonist was, we are following her exact footsteps. First person narration is significant within The Bloody Chamber as we get the story from a females perspective, allowing us to think about feminism within the vignette, as only she sees the horrors of the bloody room and what the Marquis is truly capable of.  

There is one key moment that really stands out to me, in which the narrator refers to herself in third person: 'until that moment this spoilt child'. This sentence is interesting, as this sudden change in narrative perspective highlights the fact she does not recognise herself, due to what she has become. She acknowledges her 'spoilt' behaviour and seemingly chastises herself, referring to herself as a child; stripping away any power she had and recognising how vulnerable and endangered she is. At this point in the story she doesn't give herself the pleasure of admitting her feelings, adding to the psychologically scarring events that are about to occur. 

The events are stereotypical of the Gothic form, as the Gothic theme runs heavily throughout the story. Her lack of reaction to the 'iron maiden', 'pool of blood' and 'dead lips smiling' is not expected in modern society, as the shock, horror and psychological terror would be too much for one person to handle, whereas the narrators' 'inherited nerves' mean she accepts the dead bodies and treats it like an everyday occurrence, blurring the lines between the rational and the irrational. This blur of boundaries adds to the horror within the story, as well as the twisted nature of the Marquis' mind, shocking the audience as well as highlighting the power that men dominate over women and sexual difference. 

Gothic form is essential to the story, as the title lends itself to gruesome thoughts, foreshadowing the later events within not only 'The Bloody Chamber' but the other stories too. 'The Bloody Chamber' however is the longest and possibly the most significant, because of its clear use of gothic terms, settings and characters. The 'dark' and 'shuddering' train provides a physical journey to the 'castle' embellished with 'spikes' and 'turrets' providing a Gothic atmosphere for the events to take place. The castle also connotes the gothic convention of entrapment, showing how powerless the narrator is, in contrast to the stereotypical gothic villain. The 'Marquis' is similar to other characters found in stories such as 'The Mysteries of Udolpho' by Ann Radcliffe, and 'The Castle of Otranto' by Horace Walpole. These characters lean upon themes of duality and liminality, much like the Marquis. Even though he gives the protagonist a choice, she transgresses and fulfills his secret wishes, leading to him indulging in her planned death, yet if she had not committed the act of betraying her husband would this be her sentence? Carter uses the blur between the irrational and rational, as well as other gothic conventions to constantly make us question sexual difference and feminism; something which she explores throughout this story and the subsequent stories also. 

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.

2. Setting: The Train

 Choose one setting Carter uses and discuss how it is significant in the telling of the story.

The first setting introduced in The Bloody Chamber is the carriage she occupies on the train. This is significant as it shows us she is embarking on a journey (we later find out that journey is marriage) and travelling from her old life into her new one.

"Lit in a tender, delicious ecstasy of excitement has been used to describe the atmosphere of the cabin, adding a hint of sexual promiscuity to both the character and the location. "Impeccable linen" links to the richness associated with the upper class, giving us an insight into the lavish lifestyle the Marquis and his new wife will lead, taking the protagonist "away from girlhood" and into the world of marriage. The tone of sexuality is continued with the quote, "great pistons ceaselessly thrusting" creating a phallic symbol, linking to the couple consummating their marriage. Choosing to represent the male form instead of the female form, hints at it being the man's choice to engage in sexual relations so soon into their relationship, as "ceaselessly" doesn't sound like she has much choice in the matter; symbolising the patriarchal society of the victorian era, linking to the oppression of women and their feelings. This then also links to the protagonist "ceasing to be her (mothers) child" as losing your virginity is seen as the transformation from a girl into a woman.
 

The train can be seen as taking her to her "destination and destiny" which, when reading the rest of the story, we can see the destiny is one the Marquis has created for her, planning her demise in advance, just like the deaths of his previous wives. It also seems like her destiny is inescapable, as the train is used as a method of taking her from her previous life, into her new one. "Syncopated roar" can be described as 'a disturbance or interruption of the regular flow of rhythm', which foreshadows how their relationship isn't as smooth and easy as some marriages can be. From these words we can see there is something not right with this picture from the beginning, as we can infer that the Marquis does not conform to the natural 'beat' of things, and has something twisted in his nature. This "roar" also links to the description of the Marquis, who is often depicted as a Lion; reinforcing the control he has over the protagonist.
 

"The train slowed, shuddered to a halt" has negative connotations as the train is almost personified; feeling dejected and afraid of its arrival instead of happy. This personification is then continued in the simile, "the train began to throb again as if in delighted anticipation". "Clank of metal" and "Silence of the night" are two juxtaposing sentences within close proximity of each other, creating a disjointed and eerie feel. The clanking of metal could be a reference to the decapitation that the Marquis intends to perform later on in the story, followed by the still silence of his latest wife's corpse. 

 

 

The gothic genre is then shown fully by the "cold window that misted over" and the "dark platform" she sees out of the window - highlighting the negative tones within the journey and her desitination, of which she then arrives at. It links to the gothic through the references to "cold" and "dark", which create an eerie atmosphere in a realistic place, adding to the psychologial terror found in the story.

Links to Bluebeard

The Tale of Bluebeard:

"There was once a man who had fine houses, both in town and in country" - AKA the Marquis in TBC with his castle, links also to trips to larger cities in America

"A deal of Silver" - Shows the wealth of both Bluebeard and The Marquis  

"Gold plate, embroidered furniture, and coaches gilded all over with gold" - The extravagance within Bluebeard life, as well as The Marquis' who has 'Impeccable Linens" and various paintings, jewels, gold bath taps and large chambers.  

"He had already been married to several wives, and nobody knew what had become of them" - The Marquis has three previous wives, none of which the bodies were ever found after their deaths, the daughters of Bluebeards neighbours don't want to marry him for this fact; something the female protagonist in TBC thinks about, and almost obsesses over at the beginning of the story.  

In TBC the protagonist "ceased to be her (mothers) child in becoming his wife" a reality that the two daughters in Bluebeards story didn't want to face.

1. Creating Characters: The Marquis

How does Carter create her characters? Choose one character we have not discussed in class and explain how this character is presented. 

By basing her story on the tale of Bluebeard, Carter is essentially reprising the role in the form of the Marquis, as like Bluebeard he entices, then murders his wives. The basic ideas of the character had already been formed, but this chilling role highlights the patriarchal society and the oppression of women. 

We are given little detail about the Marquis; we do not know his name or specific details about what he looks like, only about his "strange, heavy, waxen face" and "his dark mane". These vague descriptions of the character highlights his mysterious nature, showing that there is more to discover; foreshadowing his secret. His "even, steady breathing" and the unstirring muscles in his face, contrast with the vile murders he commits, emphasising the psychotic behaviour of a sociopath, as no reaction or sign of a guilty conscience occurs. 

Links to animalistic traits such as "cobra-headed" and "shriek" add to the carnal activity and nature of the Marquis. He looks at the protagonist like a piece of "lamb", connoting the impulse to kill her, murdering her like a lamb being slaughtered. The Marquis is presented as carnally driven, as killing is a very raw and animalistic thing to do, linking back to the connotations of the "mane" that the Marquis was described as having. The mane, linking to the lion, is renowned for being the "king of the jungle", highlighting the commanding nature of the Marquis, showing the audience that everything about him signals he is in charge. 

His wealth, class, looks and demeanor displays the power he possess, particularly over females. His possession over the protagonist is further developed in his punishment for her disobedience; sentencing her to death. The power he has over her is represented through the mark of blood he transfers to her forehead, signalling her deviation from the patriarchal society, in which she is supposed to do everything he says. This "shameful mark" links with the bloodied sheets that signal her loss of virginity and purity, which is also a shameful thing. He takes her purity, her freedom and he planned to take her life at the end of the story to ultimately show her who is in charge.

The character of the Marquis has been created by Carter to portray feminine values and expose the way in which men treat their wives or women in general. Her exaggeration of murder and captivity may not have been the case in Victorian times, yet his behaviour shows him in a negative light - a character not liked by the audience - meaning they sympathise with the protagonist, realising what horrors women have to go through, increasing the theme of feminism within the story. He is a tool to show how women are oppressed and made to feel like possessions, which is a point Carter wanted to make.