'Wolf Alice' ; Angela Carter

Wolf Alice represents a common theme in Angela Carter's version of the Gothic, animalistic qualities within a human. Alice is initially introduced as 'wild, impatient of restraint, capricious in temper' and is further characterised as a wolf by the constant reference to her 'claws'. Page 146, ‘you might say she could not put her finger on’, the italic emphasis of ‘finger’ is ironic, in the sense that until this point Alice is described as having ‘claws’, it also reminds us that she is human. We also see the emphasis of animalism in humans in the 'Bloody Chamber' when the Marquis is described as having a 'dark mane'.

Another Gothic theme present is the idea of rejection or desertion; Alice is rejected by the nuns (who were her 'saviors') because of her animalism. Similarly we see themes of rejection in Frankenstein + also 'The Courtship of Mr Lyon'.

Setting: The Duke's 'gloomy mansion'

Gothic themes: Werewolf, setting at night, corpses, graveyard, loneliness, and rejection

(direct reference to the bloody chamber...'heaped in the corners of his bloody chamber')

Page 143 - 'the coffin had been ripped open...not a trace could be found but for a rag of the bridal veil...’ This creates an oxymoronic image of a negative, death and a positive, marriage. Links to Frankenstein- the 'bridal bier' (Elizabeth's death)

Page 142 – Angela Carter uses the idea of food and appetite to remind us of the link between animals and humans. ‘His eyes see only appetite. These eyes open to devour…’ The word ‘devour’ emphasizes the need for food and also his uncivilized existence. (Courtship of Mr Lyon; Mr Lyon’s health decreases when he does not eat – reminds the reader of the close link between animals and humans)

Importance of the moon/night: Is when the Duke hunts, acts as an illuminator, revealer, how Alice establishes time (acts as a cycle). ‘With a punctuality that transformed her vague grip of time’

The Mirror: Alice discovers her reflection and believes it to be a playmate, this emphasizes her loneliness and isolation, and also how distant she is from the human world as something as regular and recognizable as a mirror/her own reflection she does not know of. (Naivety? Innocence?). Also reveals the Duke eventually.

Establishment of her human side: Gradually Alice establishes a grip on human life, she recognizes time and the regularity of her natural cycle, cries and later discovers clothing and compassion for the Duke