The Bloody Chamber

There were few things in the bloody chamber which I found particularly effective. Firstly, the fact that the heroine (the narrator) is nameless, this suggests that she represents all women therefore this could be related to feminism. Also, In the story the heroine tells us how her suffering became the source of her enlightenment, meaning that she overruled the man who was dominating her life (in other words she killed him because he was planning on decapitating her) and became a strong female figure.  However, it can be argued that she shows weakness when she tells her mother that she may not be sure that she loves the Marquis but she is sure she "wants to marry him", suggesting that she only married him due to his riches and position. This means that she depends entirely on his wealth and is therefore vulnerable and ignorant.

The story also contains some eroticness. At the start of the story when she is on the train sexual verbs such as “pounding”, “thrusting” and “burning” are used to suggest that she is feeling aroused and the heroine (who is a virgin) seems excited to gain sexual awareness and is curious about the act of sex which she anticipates. There is also a gothic feel though out the story which is mainly created by the setting and the symbolisms of death, such as the ruby necklace which he forces her to wear as it symbolises the death which he has planned for her.

Right I shall carry this on in another post as I am tired and need sleep!