LitB3 Flashcards
Although terrifying, many stories are also darkly comic.
Both in the eponymous story and ‘The Snow Child’ there are darkly comic aspects. However, the terrifying aspects can not be ignored , if not for the gothic terror and horror, then ultimately the terrifying constraining power of patriarchy that Carter presents to us.
It is ironic that the beasts are often more humane than the humans.
Arguably, beasts in the ‘Tiger’s Bride’ and ‘Wolf-Alice’ are ironically more humane than the humans because there is a clear divide between humane and beastly nature as opposed to name. However, Carter ultimately un-ironically celebrates the gothic Other that these beasts represent: beast and/ or human, we should all honour the ‘other’ within us. Furthermore, the line between man and beast is ultimately blurred and instead we are presented as being the liminal state of becoming and growing.
Consider the significance of images of blood.
Arguably, blood in the eponymous story and the Snow Child more literally signifies the vicarious thrills of gothic horror. However, Carter’s concern with blood of menstruation that marks the gothic liminal intersection of childhood and womanhood cannot be ignored, such as in Wolf-Alice and The Bloody Chamber. Blood, therefore, signifies more than suffering, pain and even pleasure: it is about how we are all in liminal state of growing and becoming.
Sex and violence are always linked.
Both in the eponymous story and ‘The Snow Child’ sex is arguably always linked with violence. However, Carter argues that it is only the constraining power of patriarchy which makes this link. Sex be empowering in a non-violent way, particularly in the Tiger’s Bride, and we can challenge whatever roles we may find ourselves in. We are all in the liminal state of growing and becoming.
Gothic writing is exciting because it allows us to think the unthinkable.
Arguably, Gothic writing is exciting because it allows us to think the unthinkable: the gothic terror and horror causes vicarious thrills. However, ultimately the genre is about the liminal between the thinkable and unthinkable to represent human psyche: we can think the unthinkable, know the unknowable,explain the unexplainable given the right circumstances : we all have the potential to transgress and or transcend. We are all in the liminal state of growing and becoming.
Blurred boundaries good and evil
Arguably the gothic genre offers discrete good and evil boundaries. Gothic evil and its terror and horror more literally provides vicarious thrills. However, ultimately the boundaries between good and evil are blurred capturing the liminal nature of the human psyche. We all have the potential to transgress and or transcend. We care all in the liminal state of growing and becoming.
Gothic protagonists are mad, bad and dangerous.
Arguably gothic protagonists are mad, bad and dangerous: they represent the dark side of the human psyche. However the gothic genre is ultimately about the liminal human psyche: sane and mad, good and bad, safe and dangerous all intersect. Instead, gothic protagonists represent humanity: we all have the potential to transgress and or transcend. We are all in the liminal state of growing and becoming.
Gothic entrapment
Arguably, entrapment more literally conveys the vicarious thrills of gothic terror and horror. Metaphorical entrapment sees sympathetic gothic protagonists bound by their circumstances and strong, uncontrollable emotions. However, gothic entrapment ultimately urges us to challenge any structures we might find ourselves and break free. We are always in the gothic liminal state of growing and becoming.
AO1
Make sure every sentence is relevant and use the question words constantly.
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Construct Quotes Structure, language, form Metaphor Imagery Simile Chiasmus Assonance Lexical choices Cyclical Embedded Framed Narrative Structure Destination Motif Repetition Juxtaposition Climax/anticlimax Setting Pathetic fallacy Microcosm Form Satire Parody Genre subversion Allusion Compressed narrative voice, 3rd person Gothic Liminal Other
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Interpretations
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Cultural and literary context
