comparative
English 1413
Propose a comparative interpretation of the Gothic representation of excess in The Bloody Chamber and “Blood Disease.”
The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter and “Blood Disease” by Patrick McGrath are gothic novels that incorporate the theme of excess into the stories using various techniques. The Bloody Chamber is a tale of a young girl whisked away from her lower class life with the promise of wealth and luxury. Little does she know her new husbands true character or his monstrous plans for her. In “Blood Disease” a family stumbles upon the Blue Bat and its strange inhabitants. Unbeknownst to them its dwellers are an assortment of individuals infected with pernicious anemia; whose lust for fresh blood drives them to murder. Monstrosity plays a key role in both of these tales as blood is used to bring out a revelation amongst the characters and acts as a turning point in both of the novels. In The Bloody Chamber the protagonist realizes her fate as she stumbles upon the horrific chamber of the past wives’ remains. While in “Blood Disease” young Frank witnesses the horrific sight of the anemics slashing Ronald’s throat and feasting upon his blood. Both tales bring about the idea of a grotesque chamber. Also highlighted are the clash of social classes and the distinction of heaven and hell. We see a very distinct line between upper and lower class as much of both novels is based around them. This creates very distinct patterns between the stories. The uncanny is often used in both The Bloody Chamber, and “Blood Disease” as a way to bring out the gothic theme of excess, as sexual desire goes beyond social norms and characters display bizarre and aberrant features. Both stories display very clear similarities in many of these aspects but also many differences that set them both apart.
Monstrosity plays a vital role in the development of excess in The Bloody Chamber and “Blood Disease”. The authors use vivid imagery and words to attribute the
Propose a comparative interpretation of the Gothic representation of excess in The Bloody Chamber and “Blood Disease.”
The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter and “Blood Disease” by Patrick McGrath are gothic novels that incorporate the theme of excess into the stories using various techniques. The Bloody Chamber is a tale of a young girl whisked away from her lower class life with the promise of wealth and luxury. Little does she know her new husbands true character or his monstrous plans for her. In “Blood Disease” a family stumbles upon the Blue Bat and its strange inhabitants. Unbeknownst to them its dwellers are an assortment of individuals infected with pernicious anemia; whose lust for fresh blood drives them to murder. Monstrosity plays a key role in both of these tales as blood is used to bring out a revelation amongst the characters and acts as a turning point in both of the novels. In The Bloody Chamber the protagonist realizes her fate as she stumbles upon the horrific chamber of the past wives’ remains. While in “Blood Disease” young Frank witnesses the horrific sight of the anemics slashing Ronald’s throat and feasting upon his blood. Both tales bring about the idea of a grotesque chamber. Also highlighted are the clash of social classes and the distinction of heaven and hell. We see a very distinct line between upper and lower class as much of both novels is based around them. This creates very distinct patterns between the stories. The uncanny is often used in both The Bloody Chamber, and “Blood Disease” as a way to bring out the gothic theme of excess, as sexual desire goes beyond social norms and characters display bizarre and aberrant features. Both stories display very clear similarities in many of these aspects but also many differences that set them both apart.
Monstrosity plays a vital role in the development of excess in The Bloody Chamber and “Blood Disease”. The authors use vivid imagery and words to attribute the