Topic > Role of Setting in "The Bloody Chamber"

In The Bloody Chamber, Carter views setting as a tool that contributes to the reader's emotional reaction when delving into the corrupt themes of his stories. We can therefore become more engaged with his stories as the settings allow ideas such as superstition and male desire to surround the characters. Within the stories, these characteristics function as external manifestations of the characters' flaws. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The bedroom in The Bloody Chamber is symbolic and exemplifies the story's themes of male dominance and a kind of pernicious female subjection. This bedroom contains more mirrors, in which the narrator recalls seeing "...a dozen husbands come up to me in a dozen mirrors and slowly, methodically, playfully, undo the buttons on my jacket..." an action she appears to be reluctant to do. allow. Through the use of multiple mirrors in the setting, the Marquis's reflection is seen "a dozen" times, shedding light on his predatory approach. The image of multiple men affirms the idea that there is no escape for the narrator and that she must submit to the Marquis. She is at his house, in a room he gave her; he is even rooted in the walls when he “methodically” approaches her. The setting therefore plays a significant role in the reader's ability to empathize with the narrator, as we see through the setting a strong reminder that the Marquis is the predator and she is the prey. The narrator is again warned of his helplessness through the setting of the bloody chamber when he states: “Absolute darkness. And, concerning me, the instruments of mutilation." Carter uses short, sharp sentences to describe the room here, letting the horror of the scene shine through. It's as if he can't believe what he sees; this disbelief is further exemplified by the description of the torture instruments as “tools,” as the euphemism indicates that he cannot give an honest account of his environment. Once again, Carter reminds us of the helplessness of involuntarily subjugated and frightened women, left in “absolute darkness” while dominant males have full power over sexuality and freedom. The bloody chamber setting is a reminder of the horrific consequences women will find themselves in if they are subjected to difficult relationships of this kind. Furthermore, the setting of “The Snow Child” contributes to the effect of the stories through the description of the girl environment that is created and melts in the snowy woods surrounding the count, a reminder of destructive male desire and its unsuccessful physical manifestations and potentially harmful. After the Count rapes the dead girl, she seems to melt and “Soon there was nothing left of her but a […] bloodstain” which suggests that the Count's fantasy was as real and human as the environment around him. The image of blood contrasts with the appearance of “fresh snow,” creating a stain on the environment so that it is no longer “pristine.” This sequence shows that although males can have unrealistic fantasies, it is foolish and harmful to want these fantasies to manifest in the real world. Such desires are harmful to the ideals of society as a whole because they require women to meet unrealistic expectations. This point is reinforced by the phrase “soon there was nothing left,” as the reader can infer that there was never anything real to begin with. The setting is simply something the Count thinks he can use as a device to satisfy his desires, while.