The Representation of Female Characters in Selected Gothic Stories by Male and Female writers:

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate how the female characters are represented in male and female gothic short fiction, mainly in Charles Perrault’s fairy tales: “Bluebeard” and “Little Red Riding Hood”, and in Angela Carter’s short stories: “The Bloody Chamber”, “The Erl King” and “The Werewolf”. In the traditional fairy tales, female protagonists are depicted always as weak, passive, submissive, and dependent to men; however, Angela Carter, as a female writer, has revised these tales which victimize women and subverted their plots to produce new contemporary gothic stories that empower women’s roles and position in the patriarchal society. As a response to male’s supremacy and authority, Carter represents women as more strong, active, and independent, capable to react, rise up, and change their situation in maledominated societies. Through her feminist perspectives, Carter proves herself in the gothic field and manages to defend women’s rights and freedom, and urges them to define themselves instead of being defined by men.