ENGLISH 400: MONSTER THEORY
Meghan Curley
Research Paper Abstract
Enforcing the Norm and Conforming To Belong
Like most of the short stories from Angela Carter’s The Bloody Chambers the focus is on a twisted retelling of fairy tales and read from a feminist point of view; but unlike most of Carter’s stories the monster from the short story The Tiger’s Bride lacks a physical manifestation and is more obscure than you might think. Rather the monster is an ideal created by man, society if you will.
This paper argues that it is not the Beast who is the true monster but rather, society’s need for people to obey the rules set in their respected role. Should someone be unable to fulfill the obligations of their role or if they cannot be categorized then they are cast off as the ‘other’ of society. This paper will explore how the social biases taught influences someone labeled within the norm of society as well as how this isolation and bias can affect those who are identified as the ‘other.’ We will explore how the isolation of being the other creates a longing to belong. Something we see through the Beast’s attempts to conform his lifestyle to that of a human’s. How, he goes against his natural instincts in order to establish himself among the townspeople of the village.
Capstone Presentation
When What we Know is Challenged By How It Is
This story will focus on how those labeled as ‘other’ in society may conform to social standards in hopes to obtain a sense of belonging. As well as how easily one can be cast out when not enough standards are met. Society in 1900th century Europe enforced a strict set of rules that were crucial for women in particular to follow. We will explore how the exposure to these roles and standards at an early age affects a person’s understanding of the world. Whether they know that influence is there or not, as it’s enforced through other women as well as men. From mother figures to gossiping ladies passing by. We will explore how this dependency of societal roles within the Girl of the story creates tension when met with an anomaly who doesn’t act the part. In this case, The Beast.
The ‘other’ that we will be looking at is the Beast from Angela Carter’s short story from the Bloody Chamber called The Tiger’s Bride whose ‘other’ is attempting to conform into human society. How the efforts to cover his beastliness artificially to mimic a human brings attention to the Beast’s otherness as well as his ignorance of human nature.