What constitutes a great work of fiction? In many aspects, authors such as Edgar Allen Poe are highly regarded, while some lesser-known authors are not held in such high esteem. While the classic stories and works of literature should have a place on our shelves, and in our repertoires of essential readings, room should be made for exploring fiction beyond the realm of famous authors. In reading a work such as "The Werewolf" by Angela Carter, one might compare and contrast it to a short story such as "The Tell-Tale Heart." It is through the study of themes presented, symbolism used and characters portrayed that one might tell whether or not an unknown author is capable of producing work that measures up to that of a well-established and beloved
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While Angela Carter retells the classic fairy tale of "Little Red Riding Hood", she brings to the light the topic of feminism and female sexuality. As the young girl in this story journeys to her grandmothers, she is met by a werewolf. "It was a huge one, with red eyes and running, grizzled chops..." (Carter) When the girl ventures out of the house, she knows that she is walking through a dangerous land, full of evils and creatures that would frighten even the bravest of people. Not only does she defend herself and cut off the paw of the wolf, and take it with her, but she continued on toward her grandmother's home. When she does reach her destination, she finds her grandmother terribly ill. Upon further examination, the girl realizes that the wolf paw has transformed into a human hand that seems rather familiar. "There was a wedding ring on the third finger and a wart in the index finger. By the wart, she knew it for her grandmother's hand." (Carter) Keeping in line with the theme of a young woman discovering and harnessing her sexuality, one might observe that the wolf is a symbol of sexual repression, and in addition to the fact that it is actually her grandmother who has transformed into the beast, that perhaps Carter is conveying a story of hope- a tale in which a young woman sheds the repression and societal norms set up by the women who came before her. Symbolism such …show more content…
An exceptional example of this is the narrator's view of the old man's eye. If one looks at the text and examines the narrator's explanation of the crime, a conclusion can be drawn that this character is indeed suffering from a mental illness of some sort. As the character of the narrator spends a considerable amount of time attempting to convince the reader- or another unnamed third party- of their sobriety of mind, therein lies the key to understanding the relation of this symbol to the overall theme in this story. The narrator begins by explaining that there was no real motive for killing the old man. "It is impossible to say how first the idea entered my brain...Object there was none." (Poe 1127) Although the narrator does attempt to justify their actions by describing the old man's eye, by expressing "One of his eyes resembled that of a vulture- a pale blue eye, with a film over it. Whenever it fell upon me, my blood ran cold; and so by degrees- very gradually – I made up my mind to take the life of the old man, and thus rid myself of the eye forever." (Poe 1127) It is often said that eyes are an indication of one's innermost thoughts, for emotion is expressed clearly through them. In this particular story, the eye is a symbol for the deterioration of the narrator's mental state, and their own character. This is something that lies within the narrator that they are incredibly reluctant to accept, and
While Angela Carter retells the classic fairy tale of "Little Red Riding Hood", she brings to the light the topic of feminism and female sexuality. As the young girl in this story journeys to her grandmothers, she is met by a werewolf. "It was a huge one, with red eyes and running, grizzled chops..." (Carter) When the girl ventures out of the house, she knows that she is walking through a dangerous land, full of evils and creatures that would frighten even the bravest of people. Not only does she defend herself and cut off the paw of the wolf, and take it with her, but she continued on toward her grandmother's home. When she does reach her destination, she finds her grandmother terribly ill. Upon further examination, the girl realizes that the wolf paw has transformed into a human hand that seems rather familiar. "There was a wedding ring on the third finger and a wart in the index finger. By the wart, she knew it for her grandmother's hand." (Carter) Keeping in line with the theme of a young woman discovering and harnessing her sexuality, one might observe that the wolf is a symbol of sexual repression, and in addition to the fact that it is actually her grandmother who has transformed into the beast, that perhaps Carter is conveying a story of hope- a tale in which a young woman sheds the repression and societal norms set up by the women who came before her. Symbolism such …show more content…
An exceptional example of this is the narrator's view of the old man's eye. If one looks at the text and examines the narrator's explanation of the crime, a conclusion can be drawn that this character is indeed suffering from a mental illness of some sort. As the character of the narrator spends a considerable amount of time attempting to convince the reader- or another unnamed third party- of their sobriety of mind, therein lies the key to understanding the relation of this symbol to the overall theme in this story. The narrator begins by explaining that there was no real motive for killing the old man. "It is impossible to say how first the idea entered my brain...Object there was none." (Poe 1127) Although the narrator does attempt to justify their actions by describing the old man's eye, by expressing "One of his eyes resembled that of a vulture- a pale blue eye, with a film over it. Whenever it fell upon me, my blood ran cold; and so by degrees- very gradually – I made up my mind to take the life of the old man, and thus rid myself of the eye forever." (Poe 1127) It is often said that eyes are an indication of one's innermost thoughts, for emotion is expressed clearly through them. In this particular story, the eye is a symbol for the deterioration of the narrator's mental state, and their own character. This is something that lies within the narrator that they are incredibly reluctant to accept, and