Close Reading the Bloody Chamber - 1034 Words

The Bloody Chamber pages 11 to top of 15 In this extract the unnamed narrator and the Marquis consummate their marriage. We see this build up to their consummation where the Marquis teases her, enjoying her discomfort. Left about the in the ‘library’ she discovers a ‘Rops’ picture which is symbolic of their own relationship. Delighted to have found the narrator entranced with what she had seen. the Marquis relishes in her naivety and finally takes her virginity. Leaving her feeling exposed he announces his departure for America. Within these four pages, Carter uses their sexual encounter to explore patriotic views on men through the characteristics of the Marquis and his treatment of the girl. This encounter foreshadows the outcome of†¦show more content†¦It can be argued that the narrator is not accepted as a woman by the marquis in a virginal or non-virginal state and therefore is in a liminal state because he treats her as a child both before and after the consummation of their marriage. Carter creates a dominant atmosphere through the use of minor sentences: â€Å"Not yet. Later.† This causes an awkward tension when the Marqui teases her. The Marqui gets a disturbing thrill from the power he holds over her. Carter wants to reinforce her views on patriarchy suggesting that men see themselves as the dominant figure. Carter also explores an ominous atmosphere through her use of intertextuality. â€Å"All the better to see you† reminds readers of the well known fairytale ‘Little Red Riding Hood.’ Carter changes the tone within these four pages as if the unnamed narrator is talking to the readers. She asks questions like â€Å"even on your honeymoon† as if she was addressing the readers; Carter uses this technique to personally engage readers with her story. Also the pronoun â€Å"your† used by Carter changes her recollection of the story to second person. Carter reminds us that this is her memory her experience, by the absence of speech marks when she is recalling his words. In the middle of this extract, Carter uses irony to reinforce an ominous atmosphere in the discovery the book â€Å"The Secret of Pandora’s Box.† The discovery of this particular book foreshadows her own situation and the fact thatShow MoreRelated Shakespeares Hamlet Essay: Who is Gertrude?1691 Words   |  7 Pages1883 Samuel Taylor Coleridge in Lectures and Notes on Shakspere and Other English Poets comments on what he interprets as a problem or inconsistency in the presentation of the character Gertrude in Shakespeare’s tragedy, Hamlet:      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Ham. 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