The Bloody Chamber- Context and Themes

Context- 

• Fairy Tales Retold- Carter interweaves existing stories with her new ones, inviting the reader to question the purpose of these tales and assumptions about social and individual behaviour
• Gender and power- Carter explores issues of class and power in older and current societies, with particular emphasis on female sexuality and independence. 
• Gothic- features inlcude the supernatural, extreme emotions and sensations and typically medieval castles and woods hiding horror and fear.
• Marxism- Carter is interested in social change and individual empowerment, her tales explore class, politics, social conventions and morality. Carter questions society's values from a feminist and socialist perspective. issues of gender dominate the tales. Recognises the changes…