A short story from the “Blood Chamber” cycle, “The Tiger’s Bride”, is a fascinating example of a new perspective on folklore and the interpretation of a well-known old tale. Written by Angela Carter, this piece proposes a different view of the traditional story of Beauty and the Beast, introducing an unexpected twist when Beauty becomes transformed into a Beast. An interesting observation regarding this story is that its setting is strikingly dissimilar from the original work by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve. Carter’s “The Tiger’s Bride” is set in a small town in Italy, where Beauty’s father loses her to the Beast in a game of cards. Another significant detail to be noted is the inclusion of various mechanical objects, especially an automaton maid that Beauty meets after being lost to the Beast. Finally, this work addresses such themes as virginity and sexuality, focusing on the transformative power of virginity.
Considering that various sophisticated topics are discussed in “The Tiger’s Bride”, it is possible to make deep observations regarding this story. Such observations are of exceptional value for the reader, as they allow analyzing the work’s details and acquiring a better understanding of the underlying ideas. For instance, the symbols regarding the Beast’s animality, such as the claws on the feet of his chair, must be noted by the reader in order to grasp the character’s true nature fully. An essential image in this story is the white rose, which at first hints at Beauty’s innocence but later reveals the extent of her objectification by her father and the Beast. Finally, the values ingrained into the work are the importance of agency, which allows the heroine to escape objectification, and the significance of sexual awakening, which helps Beauty to cross the threshold of virginity.