Critical insight Patricia Duncker “The infernal trap inherent in the fairytale, which fits the form of its purpose, to be the carrier of idealogy, proves too complex and pervasive to avoid.” Merja Makinen Carter’s work has consistently dealt with representations of the physical abuse of women…of women alienated from themselves within the male gaze.” Can you support these views with textual links? Do you agree with these critical views?

Plot Summary A beautiful vampire is doomed to an eternal life. She occasionally feast on a traveller or shepherd boy. The vampire’s Tarot cards foretell death for visitors until the arrival of a young officer. The young officer changes the order of the Tarot cards – replacing death with lovers. The vampire plans to devour the officer but her rituals don’t follow the usual pattern. She finds herself becoming human. The officer puts her to bed. When he awakes he is discovers that his new love has died as an old woman. He is removed by the housekeeper and returns to his regiment. He is sent to war in France. What messages are delivered? How is the plot Gothic?

Origins and Allusions What are the main plot points of Sleeping beauty and Dracula? How does the Lady of the house of love subvert these stories?

Key Quotations “Everything about this beautiful and ghastly lady is as it should be, queen of night, queen of terror – except the horrible reluctance for the role.” “Now she is a woman, she must have men.” “And could love free me from the shadows? Can a bird sing only the song it knows?” What messages are delivered? Any Gothic links?

Setting and Characters The Chateau The Soldier What is their significance? What ideas do they represent? The vampire

Context – How are the ideas of the Tarot cards presented in the story? Perfect communication Destruction Superior intellectual powers Mortality and desire What are Tarot cards? Where do they originate? Any Gothic links? Who was Pope Joan?