‘Although terrifying, many of the stories are also darkly comic.’

1. ‘Although terrifying, many of the stories are also darkly comic.’

2. MOCIC = COMIC RAPODY RBAZERI TIMOAITIN OBNUSVERSI CEKMORY TIGAGEXEARON YIORN EMENTSTARTNUDE

3. Key words Comic Parody Bizarre Imitation Subversion Mockery Self reference Exaggeration Understatement Irony Juxtaposition Disparity

5. Carter’s writing is commonly thought of as shocking as much of the language and themes are challenging, addressing themes of violence, sex and social taboos. However, in doing this Carter employs several comic techniques resulting in writing which is both dark and comic - darkly comic. The instance where the narrator of The Bloody Chamber describes her mother as ‘indomitable’ is no doubt intended to outline a fierce and powerful, even terrifying, woman.

6. Carter’s writing is commonly thought of as shocking as much of the language and themes are challenging, addressing themes of violence, sex and social taboos. However, in doing this Carter employs several comic techniques resulting in writing which is both dark and comic - darkly comic. The instance where the narrator of The Bloody Chamber describes her mother as ‘indomitable’ is no doubt intended to outline a fierce and powerful, even terrifying, woman; however, this intention combined with the humorous hyperbolic nature of the language could be said to undermine the character’s power somewhat in that by exaggeration she has become something of a parody of the typical heroic figure.

7. Carter’s writing is commonly thought of as shocking as much of the language and themes are challenging, addressing themes of violence, sex and social taboos. However, in doing this Carter employs several comic techniques resulting in writing which is both dark and comic - darkly comic. The instance where the narrator of The Bloody Chamber describes her mother as ‘indomitable’ is no doubt intended to outline a fierce and powerful, even terrifying, woman; however, this intention combined with the humorous hyperbolic nature of the language could be said to undermine the character’s power somewhat in that by exaggeration she has become something of a parody of the typical heroic figure. Carter intends to subvert the traditions of fairy-tale heroes in order to expose the flawed patriarchal power that they promote. She found it problematic that men ought to be portrayed as heroes and women as ‘damsels in distress’ and therefore chooses to empower her female characters both by giving them a voice but also placing them in roles traditionally occupied by men.

8. Carter’s writing is commonly thought of as shocking as much of the language and themes are challenging, addressing themes of violence, sex and social taboos. However, in doing this Carter employs several comic techniques resulting in writing which is both dark and comic - darkly comic. The instance where the narrator of The Bloody Chamber describes her mother as ‘indomitable’ is no doubt intended to outline a fierce and powerful, even terrifying, woman; however, this intention combined with the humorous hyperbolic nature of the language could be said to undermine the character’s power somewhat in that by exaggeration she has become something of a parody of the typical heroic figure. Carter intends to subvert the traditions of fairy-tale heroes in order to expose the flawed patriarchal power that they promote. She found it problematic that men ought to be portrayed as heroes and women as ‘damsels in distress’ and therefore chooses to empower her female characters both by giving them a voice but also placing them in roles traditionally occupied by men. However, the undermining of the mother’s character through the hyperbolic description of her shooting a ‘man-eating tiger’ further criticises the supposed power of traditional heroic figures.

9. Carter’s writing is commonly thought of as shocking as much of the language and themes are challenging, addressing themes of violence, sex and social taboos. However, in doing this Carter employs several comic techniques resulting in writing which is both dark and comic - darkly comic. The instance where the narrator of The Bloody Chamber describes her mother as ‘indomitable’ is no doubt intended to outline a fierce and powerful, even terrifying, woman; however, this intention combined with the humorous hyperbolic nature of the language could be said to undermine the character’s power somewhat in that by exaggeration she has become something of a parody of the typical heroic figure. Carter intends to subvert the traditions of fairy-tale heroes in order to expose the flawed patriarchal power that they promote. She found it problematic that men ought to be portrayed as heroes and women as ‘damsels in distress’ and therefore chooses to empower her female characters both by giving them a voice but also placing them in roles traditionally occupied by men. However, the undermining of the mother’s character through the hyperbolic description of her shooting a ‘man-eating tiger’ further criticises the supposed power of traditional heroic figures. This complex combination of comic language, traditional roles and subversion highlights both the elements of terror and comedy and ultimately comments on the subjugation of women in traditional fairy tales.

10. ‘Although terrifying, many of the stories are also darkly comic.’ Relevant short quotation. Reference to terminology. More than one interpretation of language/meaning. Comment on Carter’s intention. Only use quotes that you’ve memorised. Include a comment from the critical essay on comedy.

11. ‘Although terrifying, many of the stories are also darkly comic.’