Angela carter style and themes
Angela Carter's novels contradict the way women are symbolised in fairy tales. For example, in the opening tale "The Bloody Chamber" (remake of bluebeard), Carter plays with the conventions of the official fairy tales; instead of the heroine being rescued by the stereotypical male hero, she is rescued by her own mother.
Carter successfully draws out on the theme of feminism by conflicting traditional elements of goth fiction which usually portray female characters as weak and helpless – with strong female protagonists. By contrasting the harsh and horrific atmosphere found typically within Gothic fiction to the strong heroines of her story, Carter is able to create sexually liberated female characters that are set against the more traditional backdrop of the fairy tale. In doing so, Carter recreates the outdated fairy tales and offers insight on the epitomes and stereotypes of women in these well-known tales.
Carter successfully draws out on the theme of feminism by conflicting traditional elements of goth fiction which usually portray female characters as weak and helpless – with strong female protagonists. By contrasting the harsh and horrific atmosphere found typically within Gothic fiction to the strong heroines of her story, Carter is able to create sexually liberated female characters that are set against the more traditional backdrop of the fairy tale. In doing so, Carter recreates the outdated fairy tales and offers insight on the epitomes and stereotypes of women in these well-known tales.