The Representation Of Women In The Werewolf, By Angela Carter
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It is often said that writers deviate from particular conventions of a genre in order to achieve particular effects. Angela Carter proves this point in her short story, “The Werewolf,” which appears in her collection The Bloody Chamber; by deviating from the conventions of traditional fairy tales, Carter presents her vision of feminist empowerment and the vagueness of moral clarity.
The archetype of a hero in classic fairy tales, a “knight in shining armor” per say, is typically a male figure associated with male dominant characteristics such as self assertiveness. However, Carter deviates from this convention by exhibiting these characteristics through a female heroine, enabling her to reinterpret the short story with her vision of female individuality. The reputation of “Little Red Riding Hood” presents readers with a passive, innocent girl, carrying a basket of goodies; which contrasts heavily with Carter’s description of the knife-wielding heroine, “…seized her knife and turned on the beast.” (p.109) The…show more content… From the beginning, the heroine trusted with handling her father’s hunting knife in order to equip herself against the “…the bears, the wild boar, the starving wolves,” (p.109) within the forest. The heroine’s self sufficiency is highlighted also by her garments; by supplying the heroine with “a scabby coat of sheepskin” (p. 109), Carter contrasts the sensible purpose of the piece of clothing with the red riding hood. One respectively keeps out the cold and the other serves to display self-love. Carter constructs her heroine as a female who is well equipped to overcome any obstacles in her way: an indication of the assurance required of a woman, instead of conforming to the stereotypes associated with unassertiveness and