The Courtship of Mr Lyon

The Bloody Chamber - The Courtship of Mr Lyon

Look at the title of the story. 'Courtship' is an old-fashioned word for the dating period before engagement and marriage. Why do you think Carter chose this word, and do you find it appropriate?

Courtship refers to the period of time in a relationship before engagement or marriage where the couple establish their love before proposing marriage. Carter chose this word as throughout the story courtship is present between Beauty and the Beast, shown through his actions towards her. The chivalry of the Beast is suggested as he shows his emotions and love for Beauty openly, for example when he 'kisses her hands' he is gradually taking steps of affection by following the rules of courtly love and 'wooing' the woman. This is also presented when Beauty leaves and the Beast 'sunk his great head on to his paws.' showing he is not afraid to show affection and his emotion for the woman, presenting his gentlemanly ways. This is an appropriate word to use as it links with the period of time around them showing the reader the correct manner men and women should act in, whilst also foreshadowing the actions of the Beast as he acts in a way that is not only about sex but rather love, unlike other stories within The Bloody Chamber.

Read the description of the girl in the opening paragraph of the story. How is she described? What is the implication of the description, and how is it developed in the plot?

The girl in the opening paragraph is described as 'this lovely girl, whose skin possesses that same, inner light so you would have thought she, too was made all of snow' which suggests her purity and innocence before meeting the Beast, as she is described as being pale and dainty due to her skin being related to snow. This could also show how the girl is affected by her life that consists of poverty, therefore leading to her pale skin which is presented through the pathetic  fallacy of 'pallor', a weak colour that can suggest death. The description is developed in the plot as the girl is later described as being a 'spoiled child' who's physical appearance was 'plumping out' and her psychological state becoming more self obsessed as she 'smiled at herself in the mirror a little too often'. This presents the idea that she has become accustomed to wealth and materialism after spending time with the Beast where she has consumed too much money and started to become superficial.

Research a building in a traditional fairy story. This may be a castle of a prince, a gingerbread house, the home of the three bears. Compare the language used to describe the house and gardens of Mr Lyon with those used in the traditional fairy story. What do you observe about the language used in each story?

Mr Lyon's house and garden are described as having 'wrought iron gates' that lead to a 'perfect, Palladian house' showing a grand Gothic exterior which is softened by the 'short, snowy drive' as the sibilance and alliteration creates a picturesque setting, changing the atmosphere from an eerie one. However Carter describes there as being 'a light that flickered in an upstairs window' which creates an air of mystery as the house is otherwise in darkness and therefore draws the attention to this one part of setting. When inside the house typical Gothic furniture is described within the setting through the colour imagery presented and the large statement pieces that suggest his wealth and materialism. 

In the story of Hansel and Gretel the gingerbread house is the setting for this fairytale and has a more delicate description. For example 'the little house...was built of bread and covered with cakes, but that the windows were of clear sugar.' is described in a lighter way that creates a happy atmosphere as the writer uses language that is not dark or mysterious but is soft and delicate.

Look closely at the description of the Beast, and analyse the linguistic techniques used. These should include: the use of repetition, adjectives, nouns, verbs and imagery. What effect does the description have on the reader? How do you feel about the Beast, and what has made you feel like this?

When the Beast is first introduced he is described as being 'leonine' presenting the reader with an image of a lion, which is then continued when he is said to have a 'head of a lion; mane and mighty paws of a lion', reinforcing this imagery upon them. This may therefore give off the impression that the Beast is lion like in his actions and personality which as the reader learns is not true. This is shown when he is later described as 'grazing her skin, the rough lapping of his tongue' insinuating he has become cat like as he begins to fall in love with her. This shows the reader that his original description is ironic as his actions are not aggressive and strong but rather gentle and soft, especially towards Beauty.                  Originally my opinion of the Beast was negative as he was presented in an aggressive way as he 'shook (the father) like an angry child shakes a doll.' meaning I passed judgement on his character, until his soft and caring nature was shown when he 'kissed (Beauty's) hands'. This consequently changed the way I felt about the Beast as his description at the beginning is not true to his personality which is learnt about as the story continues.

On page 45, Beauty arrives at the house of Mr Lyon, the Beast. How does she  feel about this and how do her feelings change? Track the changes and development of her feelings from page 45 to the end of the tale. Give specific examples of language used to describe this developing relationship.

Beauty is first presented with a negative perspective of the Beast by her father as she attempts to make sense of the man being leonine, effecting the way she feels about him at first as she 'could not control an instinctual shudder of fear when she saw him.' This suggests the girl is weary about meeting him and that she has judged him on his appearance rather than his personality which later is found to be loving and caring. This is continued as the reader is told that the Beast's 'presence chocked her' showing she is uncomfortable around him and unable to develop a relationship with him at this point due to he judgements impeding this. As the story develops Beauty is still cautious of the Beast as although he 'kisses her hands' each night showing his affection for her, she cannot see past the beastly exterior and therefore does not allow him the chance at winning her love. Towards the end of the tale the reader is able to see how Beauty's feelings for the Beast have developed as she knew he was dying instantly when the spaniel arrived at her house. This leads to her rushing to the Beast's house where she for the first time notices 'his agate eyes were equipped with lids, like those of a man', suggesting that she now see's him properly for who he is as before she has never looked deeply into him until now. When she promises she'll never leave him it shows the reader that now she can see who the Beast really is, someone who is similar to her as his features do not define him. 

Look at the way the story is narrated. Is it in first person? Third person? How does the narrative perspective affect the impact of the story on the reader?

The opening paragraph begins in third person as the narrator describes the setting and characteristics of the girl however, the perspective quickly changes to first person when Beauty starts to talk about her father, making it more personal as the reader can gain insight on the main character. Yet the third paragraph then changes once again to third person, disorientating the reader as the shifting perspective continues. The story progresses in third person and continues that way rather than changing narrative perspective once again, allowing the reader more detail as the description is more in depth.

Beauty is described before she meets the Beast when she is living in the 'mean' household which is all her father can provide. After meeting the Beast, she lives in luxurious surroundings in London. Compare the two descriptions and decide whether her personality changes as well as her financial circumstances. Select quotations to support your opinions.

When Beauty is living in the 'mean' household at the beginning of the tale she is described as being a 'lovely girl, whose skin possesses the same inner light so you would have thought she was made of snow.' This suggests that she is quite plain and simple whilst also displaying a sense of purity through the paleness of her skin and the description of her personality. When living in her new luxurious surroundings the description of Beauty changes to one that is negative, for example she is said to be a 'spoiled child' now who expects materialistic objects and outings since she has been with the Beast. This is due to her now having the wealth to be able to experience such things yet because of this she had become superficial and self absorbed, as she 'smiled in the mirror a little too often' suggesting her as a consumer has changed her perception of life allowing her to feel as if she deserves more.  

Beauty's actions transform the Beast into Mr Lyon. Are there any more transformations in the story?

One transformation that occurs in the story is Beauty's physical and mental appearance towards the end of the tale. This is shown as before she visits the Beast she lives a 'mean life that is simple and plain due to her and her father having little money for luxuries however, after she leaves the Beast for London she becomes 'spoilt'. This is suggested from the way she now lives; visiting hotels, buying furs to wear and attending the theatre which are all changes from her old life now that she has money. The wealth that she has acquired has also transformed her mental state as she 'smiled at herself in the mirrors' and had a 'lacquer of the invincible prettiness', suggesting that she is consuming too much money and becoming self obsessed and a product of Capitalism. 

Another transformation would be the way Beauty's feelings for the Beast transform from the beginning of the story to the end as to begin with his 'presence choked her' because of the strangeness of his appearance and actions which were unlike any man's due to his 'leonine' character. Yet as the story develops so do her feelings for the Beast as at the end of the tale she senses he is dying and travels to be with him, showing she is connected to him emotionally now especially when she states 'I'll never leave you'. This suggests that she has now accepted him for who he is as he did for her, leading to her realising that he is similar to her allowing him to transform overall into Mr Lyon.

The Tiger's Bride

The Bloody Chamber - The Tiger's Bride 

Task 1 -

Andrea Mantegna:

• Mantegna was born in 1431 in Italy and died on 13th September 1506.
• He was an Italian painter and Roman archaeologist.
• In 1460 he was made court painter for the Marquis of Mantua where he completes many paintings and frescos such as 'Camera degli Sposi'.
• Engraving was also a skill that Mantegna held and performed.

• Other work includes; 'Madonna of the Caves', 'Lamentation over the Dead Christ' and 'Madonna della Vittoria'.

Giulio Romano:

• Born 1499 in Rome and died 1st November 1546.
• Romano was an Italian painter and architect that was influenced by Raphael and his interest in having Giulio as an assistant in his studio.
• He was most common for collaborating and helping work on the frescos in Vatican loggias with Raphael, which continued after the death of his mentor.
• Example of his work include; 'Fire in the Borgo' fresco, painting and fresco in Palazzo Te and paintings such as 'Donna alla toeletta' and 'Adoration of the Shepherds'.

Benvenuto Cellini:

• Born 3rd November 1500 and died 13th February 1571.
• Cellini was an Italian goldsmith, later becoming a sculptor and using these skills to do so through his mannerism art style.
• The Golden Gate designed for the Château de Fontainebleau was one of his most famous projects.
• 'Perseus with the Head of Medusa' is a bronze sculptor that Cellini is also famous for, situated in the Piazza in Florence.

Task 2 -

• Assuage - to make an unpleasant feeling less intense or severe                                           OR                                                                                                                                                      to clam and pacify.
• Awry - away from the usual or expected course.
• Axiom - a statement that is self-evidently true                                                                         OR                                                                                                                                                       a rule, principle or law. 
• Capisco - to understand or realise something.
• Ciliate - relating to cilia that is projected from the surface of a cell. 
• Civet - a slender mammal like cat that is nocturnal and has a spotted coat, native to Asia and Africa.
• Desnuda - naked.
• Excoriating - to damage, tear or remove the surface of skin.
• Expostulating - to express disapproval or disagreement.
• Eyrie - a nest of an eagle or bird of prey built on a cliff o high in a tree.
• Gavotte - a sort of French folk dance originating in the 18th century.
• Gracile - being of a gracefully slender build.
• Megalomaniac - someone who has an obsessive desire for power and wealth leading to a psycho pathological condition.
• Metaphysical - (metaphysics) relating to things that are thought to exist but cannot be seen.
• Minuet - a type of slow stately ballroom dance for a couple, originating in the 17th century.  
• Molto agitato - being very agitated.
• Nascent - coming into existence and beginning to develop.
• Obsequiousness - being obedient and attentive to a degree.
• Ostler - a man who is employed as a stableman to look after the horses that belong to individuals staying at the inn.
• Patina - a green/brown layer that forms on the surface of bronze due to corrosion.
• Preternatural - beyond what is normal or natural.
• Profligate - 
• Settecento - the eighteenth century.
• Shagreen - rough untanned skin with a granulated surface, now made from sharkskin rather than horses back. 
• Simian - an ape or monkey.
• Simulacra - an image or representation of something. 
• Soubrette - a female character in a theatre production usually playing a maid or young woman. 
• Spar - a stout pole used for the mast of a ship to support the rigging.
• Tantivy - a rapid ride or gallop.
• Tintinnabulation - a ringing or tinkling sound of bells.
• Viscera - the organs contained within the abdominal cavities such as the intestines.

Task 3 -

1) 'The Devil's picture books' are a deck of cards.
2) The language Carter is using when calling The Beast 'Milord' is sarcastic as it shows the narrators feelings towards him due to her showing no love or enchantment when addressing him, suggesting her repulsion and bitterness. By calling him 'Milord' it shows a  sort of power over the girl, as the term links to a patriarchal society and therefore by saying it sarcastically it may suggest she does not respect him or feel as if he has more power over  her.
3) In this collection white roses symbolise romance as the Beast gives the girl a single white rose when first meeting her and then a bunch of them later on in the story. This to the girl is a romantic cliché and therefore she is unappreciative of his gift due to the lack of feelings she has for him and the bitterness involved in her character. Purity may also be suggested by white roses however in this collection the girl 'gets his rose all smeared in blood' which could show how she is not pure as the colour changes from white to red, referring to danger and passion.       
4) The verb 'fleeced' is significant as it allows the reader to understand how awful the girls life was before meeting the Beast, due to her having nothing as her father gambled it all away which makes the reader feel sympathy because they are able to gain insight and background instead of making judgement. 
5) 'Gobble you up' comes from the fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood and is referred to because it links to the Beast and the idea that all is wants is sex from the young girl, which repulses her as he is an animal figure. Yet as we learn later all the Beast wants is to look at the 'pretty lady unclothed nude', suggesting the reader may have judged him from this reference to the fairy tale.
6) The reader is told the inhabitants are not driven by luxuries or appearances as the Beast is seen as unhappy even though he has wealth because of him wanting more than just materialistic objects or looks. This is suggested in the introduction of the girl as it is her love he strives for throughout the story and therefore shows he is not driven by luxuries or appearances but romance. 
7) The significance of the fresco ‘where fruit and blossom grew on the bough together' is it shows unity and how the house brings people together, which is foreshadowed at the end of the story as the girl finally accepts the Beast allowing them to develop their relationship as she is able to feel close to him. 
8) The description of the soubrette suggests to the reader that she is there to show the girl depth into her life as she is described as a 'clockwork twin' due to her features being exactly the same as the girls, who allows her to see when she first arrived at the Beast's house and her and her fathers actions. This means the girl is able to change the way she acts so that the soubrette is no longer a resemblance of her.