How Does Angela Carter Explore the Theme of Obedience and Liberty Within the Two Texts?

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How does Carter explore the theme of obedience and Liberty within the two texts? Both obedience and liberty within the set texts of ‘The Bloody Chamber’ and ‘The Courtship of Mr Lyon’, are dominating themes. Generally gothic literature explores the exploration of obedience and that is prominent within ‘The Bloody chamber’ and arguably within ‘The Courtship of Mr Lyon’. As Carter mixes fairy-tales with Gothic Literature, the hope of liberty can be made to seem quite small as there is a very gothic approach to the ‘happily ever after tales’. Throughout ‘The Bloody Chamber’ Carter uses obedience to show who has the power. It is very clear that the Marquis has significant power over the girl. Not only does his age show authority ‘He was much older than I’ but also because of his gender. The Marquis questionably abuses his power of authority to then become patronizing towards his newly wedded wife “Baby mustn’t play with grownups’ toys until she’s learned how to handle them, must she?” The use of the word ‘mustn’t’ makes it very clear who has the power within the relationship. In addition the Marquis belittles his wife by referring to her as ‘Baby’, which links into the idea of abusing power, but also with the sense that babies obey and learn from their parents, which the Marquis makes clear that the girl has yet to learn the ways of the world. Carter uses the role of the Marquis to explore power and authority over the young girl and for her to show obedience. The wedding gift of the Marquis instructs her not to remove to the young girl, shows how she is chocked into a marriage to the Marquis, “His wedding gift, clasped round my throat”, the image suggests that she is under his power; therefore she must obey with his commands and has a lack of liberty over her husband. As the gift is from the Marquis, it could also suggest that the marriage is his, linking back to

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