The starter for the lesson was to think what we'd be if we could be anything. There were many ideas - such as a phoenix and a sketch pad, among others. I said I'd be Bill Gates, as he has all the money in the world and could buy anything. Or I'd be a poisionous berry (or something poisionous) so people wouldn't touch me. We discussed why people change (or go through metamorphosis) and different things this represents.
Then, we moved on to discuss the meaning of the word symbolism. I wrote down that symbolism was ' a metaphor for an image'. However, the real meaning was 'Investing material objects with abstract meanings greater than their own; allowing a complex idea to be represented by a single object.' After this we attempted to find connections and similarities between Angela Carter's 'The Courtship of Mr. Lyon' and her other story that we'd read, 'Tigers Bride'. Similarities I managed to identify were those of the main characters both supposedly being animals (and male animals), the female character stayed with the 'beasts' at the end of the respective stories, and also that both females dictated the animals (thought the be male) in the stories. For instance, the male beast in the Courtship of Mr. Lyon was dependant on the female character.
Our next task was to then "compare the 2 cat stories, commenting on how Carter subverts the traditional (fairy tale) concepts of gender relations." During this task, I commented on the similarities (shown above), but focused on the point of the males bveing dependant on the females. In traditional fairy tales (Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White etc.) the females are dependant on the men. However, Carter goes against this ideology.
Homework:
Research - 1st, 2nd and 3rd wave feminism. Also research Little Red Riding Hood.
Read - "Company of the Wolves".
Write - Comment on this and write your view on "Company of the Wolves".
Daniel.
Then, we moved on to discuss the meaning of the word symbolism. I wrote down that symbolism was ' a metaphor for an image'. However, the real meaning was 'Investing material objects with abstract meanings greater than their own; allowing a complex idea to be represented by a single object.' After this we attempted to find connections and similarities between Angela Carter's 'The Courtship of Mr. Lyon' and her other story that we'd read, 'Tigers Bride'. Similarities I managed to identify were those of the main characters both supposedly being animals (and male animals), the female character stayed with the 'beasts' at the end of the respective stories, and also that both females dictated the animals (thought the be male) in the stories. For instance, the male beast in the Courtship of Mr. Lyon was dependant on the female character.
Our next task was to then "compare the 2 cat stories, commenting on how Carter subverts the traditional (fairy tale) concepts of gender relations." During this task, I commented on the similarities (shown above), but focused on the point of the males bveing dependant on the females. In traditional fairy tales (Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White etc.) the females are dependant on the men. However, Carter goes against this ideology.
Homework:
Research - 1st, 2nd and 3rd wave feminism. Also research Little Red Riding Hood.
Read - "Company of the Wolves".
Write - Comment on this and write your view on "Company of the Wolves".
Daniel.
Thanks Daniel. I've added a picture for you and taken away the login details.
ReplyDeletethis is very similar to the two cat tales. I found it Surprising the ending was unexpected its a very bizzare interpretation im getting from the final sentence.
ReplyDeleteI very much enjoyed "The Company of Wolves". To me,the way this story is written seems to present a warning to us readers.
ReplyDeleteThe ending was unexpected, but it was rather nice to see, i suppose "a happier" ending if any one would agree?
Ermm Chris I wouldnt call it a happy ending, it was just bestiality, i mean she seduces a werewolf :S.
ReplyDeleteThe story was however very entertaining i enjoyed the part where little red riding hood was all like "Why what big eyes you have grandma"
Esmeralda ;)
Okay, a "happier" ending in terms that nobody dies in a brutal and cruel manner (apart from the grandmother). This story was slightly disturbing I must say, but entertaining nevertheless :)
ReplyDeleteThe story was weird and I would have found it even stranger if it wasn't for the Little Red Riding Hood bit. What was the point of him seducing the nan????
ReplyDeleteDaniel.
Daniel he didn't seduce her...he ate her. I think "The Company of Wolves" continues the trend we've been seeing throughout the stories we've read with an innocent virgin giving herself to the respective beasts. In this case her taking of her cloths etc.
ReplyDeleteRoman A.
Just as Roman said, this short story does continue the trend and coincide with the other short stories we have read. I thought the ending was powerful, this quote in particular:
ReplyDelete"She will lay his fearful head on her lap and she will pick out the lice from his pelt and perhaps she will put the lice in her mouth and eat them, as he will bid her, as she would do in a savage marriage ceremony."
Carter concludes the short story with the "little girl" taking care of the beast going against stereotypes relative to the time period.
Sonny.
It was...interesting to read this particular story to say the least.
ReplyDeleteI reckons that this Wolf Story is quite heavily related to both the Cat Stories that we have read, most specifically The Courtship of Mr.Lyon. The beast only reveals his true form to an innocent maiden, much as Mr.Lyon chose to do~ he also robs her of her innocence, as she removes her clothes before his lustful eyes.
^Dylan's Comment!
ReplyDeleteAlthough disturbing the story was good. To me it seemed to show the idea of an equal relationship between the wolf and girl not one of them seeing themselves as more important than the other. It also seems to show the girl can follow her natural instincts when developing her sexuality.
ReplyDeleteTamsin (there`s probably spelling mistakes)
I agree with everyone else in thinking that this story was really interesting. Like all the other tales we have read it explores a girl's journey into womanhood and sexuality, as she grows out of the "innocence" and naivety she possesses at the beginning of the story.
ReplyDeleteHowever the ending was a little bit surprising.
Aleksandra
The story is very unusal, its got quite disturbing imagery which goes in your mind as the Little Red Riding Hood goes in bed with the wolf. But the story still keeps the basic storyline.
ReplyDeleteRosie