The Bloody Chamber Angela Carter Character Analysis

The greatest quality the bride possesses is that she is a virgin. Now this is often seen as a weakness, a stereotypical innocence and ease for corruption or an invitation for violence, due to bloodshed and potential for violence. But, in reality it should be viewed as a form of strength or a shield. Her virginity makes her attractive and desirable to men. But, this weakness transforms into her strength, after loosing her virginity and being released into womanhood, is on a quest to find out who her husband truly is, “Keys no longer intimidated me, for I was determined, now, to search through them all for evidence of my husband’s true nature.” (24 Carter) She once feared her husband enough to follow his every command but after the loss of her innocence/ purity she becomes determined to put her curiosity and mistrust at ease. Before opening the door to the bloody chamber she says, “No fear; but hesitation” (27 Carter). She is aware that she will discover something, but she is hesitant whether or not she wants to know what she will discover. After opening the door and being surrounding by torture devices, she states “My mothers …show more content…
This story shows us that sexuality is more than an act, and that it possesses negative attributes. This story shows us the benefits and weaknesses of virginity, it shows us pornography versus romanticism, it shows us sexual violence, rape and violent intentions, it shows us the oppressive side of marriage, the problems with arranged marriages and why you should know the man and his intentions before you marry, or become intimate. This novel possesses the dark side of sexuality. It demonstrates the objectivity, the violence, the subjugation, the power dynamic of dominance and obedience, and manipulation through the use of sex. We are injected into a story that makes us question the definition of sexuality, and what variations it