1. Friday 27th February The Bloody Chamber
Angela Carter
Béla Bartók Bluebeard's Castle Opening Scene Part-1

2. This week’s objectives
1. To understand the context for the setting The Bloody Chamber 2. To identify the features of setting and how it reflects the Gothic tradition. 3. To analyse the writer’s use of symbolism and how it could reflect her viewpoint 4. To reflect on how Carter describes entrapment

3. Exposition: setting, characters, situation
Keywords:
Parody
‘Fin de Siècle‘
‘La Belle Époque’
Phallic imagery
Denouement
Patriarchy
Exposition: setting, characters, situation
Conflict
Complication
Climax
Resolution

4. Some context!
The title story 'The Bloody Chamber' begins and ends in Paris at the turn of the 20th Century
‘Fin de Siècle‘ - a time of great artistic flourishing and decadence, with an undercurrent of chaos and uncertainty for the future.
Decadence – excess/corruption

5. Adapted from ‘La Barbe Bleu’ – 1697 – be wary of being over – curious!
'The Bloody Chamber' is also set during the time of the Third Republic,
Napoleon III was overthrown, and was to last until 1940.
This time was also known as ‘La Belle Époque’, from the late 19th Century until the beginning of World War One.

6. Modernism
Hopes and fears of what the coming century would bring.
A powerful and significant setting for this tale, given that it is concerned with a young bride's anxiety and desire of the unknown.
The old tale of Bluebeard has its roots in France
setting of Paris also lends a heady sense of romance and luxury which is key to the narrator's initial attraction to the Marquis.

7. Structure Narrative voice of main female character
Seven major episodes – break in text indicating a pause in narration
Passage of time/important moments
Traditional narrative framework
Exposition: setting, characters, situation
Conflict
Complication
Climax
Resolution

10. Settings Long ago and far away Winter The Castle The Forest
The Gothic emphasises extremes of location
N.B Angela Carter disliked the term ‘Gothic’ being applied to her work. Nevertheless, the Gothic tradition is clearly visible in ‘The Bloody Chamber’.

11. Pages 1 – 9
Key Question:
How does Carter present the character of The Marquis?
Identity formed through expensive habits?
Is he sympathetic?
What does he symbolise?
Patriarchy – dying social order
Hints of villainy/evil?