How does Angela Carter reinterpret Gothic Conventions in The Bloody Chamber short stories?

Gothic Setting
Generally sticks to conventional Gothic settings isolated castle, forest, graveyard but often used symbolically the forest used as a metaphor for a girl moving towards adulthood with all its fears and dangers or the threat of the wilderness beyond human civilisation. Often used to explore class Gothic horror stories tended to be blue-blood horror focused on the aristocracy but not all of Angela Carters stories are about the upperclass many use a more humble, everyday setting, more typical of a fairy tale also focused on the lives of the working class.

Gothic Characters Female Stereotypes previous Gothic texts place women as the object often
stereotype of victim or predator or absent all together. Women characters often used as plot device to present fear. Or showed male fears of the strong, dominant woman who were portrayed as a predator and punished. Carter places women at the centre of the text texts such as Werewolf are female dominated. She explores the use of women as victims and creates a brave, unafraid girl. She explores the use of the female predator and the prejudice surrounding this. The Male Protagonist men become the other in the text. Explores the macho stereotype men have had to fit Wolf-Alice helps to reveal the counts true self through caring for him. Explores male violence towards women rape, sado-masochism, power relationships. Explores sexual aggression and illicit desires. Carter explores the ambiguities, oppositions and discomfort of the Gothic In the 1970s when Angela Carter wrote the stories, feminists often presented women as victims of male aggression but Carter felt this was a limiting factor in the feminist perspective, she wanted to explore how women might respond to violence and threat in a new way; her stories explore how this might be achieved. She said no daughter of mine should ever be in a position to be able to write BY GRAND CENTRAL STATION I SAT DOWN AND WEPT, exquisite prose though it might contain. (BY GRAND CENTRAL STATION I TORE OFF HIS BALLS) would be more like it, I should hope.). The Supernatural character she uses traditional Gothic supernatural elements but changes the perspective to give us a different view the female vampire, the werewolf rather than the wolf. Transformation also key human/animal.

Gothic Signifiers or Symbols

Use of colour black, white, red Darkness, light, snow, blood Forest Ruined castle Labyrinth/ dungeon Mirror Mother, step mother, grandmother Journey Animals bat, raven, wolf Moon Nature

Gothic Themes
Good versus evil Justice and punishment Past coming back to haunt you The subconscious dreams and nightmares Psychology of human nature split personality, evil in human nature Battle between the sexes power relationships, female entrapment by patriarchy Uneasy relationship between pain and love Sexual aggression and illicit desires, forbidden sexuality, taboo Madness social conventions Aim to frighten the audience through atmosphere and tension

Gothic Storylines
A dangerous supernatural creature who threatens a young girl. Nave young character (often young women) kidnapped and locked away in castle, escapes and is pursued whilst hero attempts to rescue her. Mad scientists experiment which comes to life and creates chaos. Brooding mysterious stranger wields power and control. Animal/human transformation.