Do Angela Carter and Jeanette Winterson Belong to Postmodernism - Essay Example

?The concept of postmodernism is one which combines alternative and fantasy like attributes in expression. This was able to develop a different perspective with various stories while developing plots and storylines that conveyed an alternative message with the symbolism used. The postmodernist ideologies combined concepts such as a fragmented voice, the grotesque, magical realism and fantasy. In the story “The Bloody Chamber” by Angela Carter and “Sexing the Cherry” by Jeanette Winterson, there is a reflection of the postmodernist ideologies within the stories. This is able to exemplify and show the concepts of postmodernism while developing a plot line that develops alternative perspectives and expressions. Both stories are able to convey and exemplify postmodernist attributes through the plot, actions, characters and ideologies which both author’s convey. The concepts of postmodernist theory are what define the main attributes of both stories that show the philosophy. The main concept that postmodernists were interested in was the ability to change perspectives of reality. This was in opposition to the realistic writing which was conveyed in the era before. Postmodernism rebelled against this by pushing the limits of realism and the need to express everything according to the issues and developments in society and culture. This expanded into creating radical descriptions and expressions that would cause a belief of being unsettled and disrupted with one’s thoughts. The main ideology was to confront ideas of realism and what individuals believed in society to be the most important. This was followed by the belief that the voice should change the differences and transitions which one was going through from a perspective which a different individual would not consider realistic. The concepts of magic and reflections of the unknown then became a part of the postmodernist theory and the defining points which were able to create the different interpretations and reactions in society (Flax, 1990: 5). Both stories reflect the main ideologies of postmodernism in the main approach and plot line which is taken. The first is noted through “The Bloody Chamber” by Carter. The plot line is based on the grotesque and an unrealistic viewpoint of one’s own plot in life. This begins by having a plot line which seems normal, specifically with the narrator wanting to get married and move out of the home that she lives in. However, this quickly changes when she finds out the truth of the man that she marries and the sadism and pornography that he is interested in. This twist into the plot into one which is not romantic or has a happy ending as the beginning points out. The end of the book shows that this turns into a man who is willing to murder the wives that don’t have a specific liking of his interest. The grotesque plot line and the unrealistic expectations continue with the narrator’s mother killing her husband at the last moment, also which moves outside of the realistic expectations which one would have. This particular plot line leads to twists and unrealistic expectations from the husband, actions he willingly takes and the response from the mother. Each of these adds into the postmodernist trend of changing the plot into the unexpected. A similar plot line conveys the postmodernist ideologies in “Sexing the Cherry.” The concepts which are associated with this show a distorted relationship between a mother and a son, specifically which is referred to as grotesque. The description which is given to her is followed by the references to her being as an elephant and being able to eat large proportions, especially of fruit. The twist becomes even more important with the son as he responds to his mother by loving her attributes and with his willingness to embrace the giant and grotesque features. The twists and changes which occur after this follow the plot line of going on a journey with the mother to find the self and to embrace the unknown which is a part of the main conflict that others see. The plot of the book continues to twist and change with ideas of magic and the grotesque being the main attributes toward postmodernism. The concepts that are associated with postmodernism continue with specific attributes that both of the stories show. The first is the idea of the grotesque. The postmodernist technique is to exaggerate this to the level of defining an unrealistic expectation with the grotesque and creating questions within society that are associated with this. At the time of postmodernism, the main approach was to have beauty and elegance as the main attributes. The others change this with the belief that the grotesque is more realistic and can be looked into from a different viewpoint. The concept is to create a question of the realism in society and the definitions of beauty. This is done by exaggerating the grotesque to something that is unthinkable and which could not be realistic. However, this particular approach is able to build and develop a sense of questioning reality within the culture and society while developing the grotesque into an extreme description to question the ideas of beauty and action (Docker, 1994: 15). The concept of the grotesque is defined in both of the stories through the descriptions of the characters and the actions which they take. In “The Bloody Chamber” this is referred to through the man which the narrator marries and the actions which he takes. The grotesque not only comes from the defined characters and actions but also the explanations that are given to take out the beauty or the romantic ideologies which most carried. For instance, the narrator states: “He stripped me, gourmand that he was, as if he were stripping the leaves off an artichoke – but do not imagine much finesse about it; this particular artichoke was no particular treat for the diner nor was he yet in any greedy haste” (Carter, 1990: 15). The grotesque in this particular phrase is the beginning to showing the postmodernist of the grotesque and how this fits into the philosophy. Instead of romantic ideals between the wife and husband, there is reference to the “gourmand” and to her being an “artichoke.” This is followed by the narrator stating that there was no finesse and that the actions were greedy. These references continue with the relationship between the two, showing the grotesque when there should be romanticism. The continuation happens with the interest of the husband in photography and the murders that he is willing to commit for his different interest in activities. The same concept of the grotesque is noted in “Sexing the Cherry.” The descriptions all take out the idea of beauty and the concept of having different attributes. For instance, London is described as infested and polluted. There are also different concepts which are linked to the other characters, such as referring to them as witches. All of the descriptions continue with the grotesque that is associated with the looks of Jordan’s mother, such as her giant figure, lack of elegance and rejection by society because of the way in which she presents herself. The idea of the grotesque is described as something which shouldn’t be accepted and which would have helped to alter the fate of the main characters. For instance, when the witch finds what has happened to Jordan and his mother, she curses them. The grotesque continues with stating “I should have killed her and found us a different story” (Winterson, 2000: 14). The idea of the grotesque then takes over with the witch, mother and Jordan, all which becomes subjected to anything but the beautiful and which has to move through several tribulations that are associated with the grotesque. The other attribute which is noted in the postmodernist viewpoint comes with the magical illusions which are through both books. The concepts of magic and the ways in which they are presented are defined specifically by the myths and fables which were a part of the time period. However, instead of leaving these with morals of the story, the myth became the unrealistic viewpoints which were expanded on in both books. By doing this, there was the ability to build a plot that was not only unrealistic but also caused one to question the different situations within society and culture. The importance of this was not only with the postmodernist philosophies but was reflective of the realism that was being rebelled against. Those that were interested in the magical elements also considered this to be a way to move outside of realism while creating an element outside of what was acceptable in society. This was able to challenge concepts such as religion, policies and the institutions which were continuing to form in society and create a specific understanding of how one should live (Gellner, 1992: 51). Both stories carry the concept of the absurd, magical illusion and the ideas of moving into the myths of the story. For instance, in “The Bloody Chamber,” the fairy tale begins with going to the castle of the husband and having the elements that take place inside the castle. One questions the realism by going to the castle and being in the situation. This creates a sense of disconnection of being in the story and having it truly happens to the character. The magic which follows is based on the ability to overcome one who expects to kill and take the different approaches to the situation. The magic continues to form by alluding to being in a castle, fairy tale and myth throughout the story. For instance, the narrator states “You must remember how ill at ease I was in the luxurious place, how unease had been my constant companion during my whole length of my courtship by this grave satyr who now gently martyrized my hair…. Courage! I shall act the fine lady to the manner born one day, if only by virtue of default” (Carter, 19). This particular phrase creates a fairy tale and magical element with the concept of the narrator becoming like a princess of virtue and courage overcoming the situation and the castle. The companion is one that is looking at the martyr, further adding into the fairy tale and magical approach taken. The same concept comes with the “Sexing the Cherry,” as the mother turns into a giant like figure by the witch. The curse that is on Jordan and his mother and the elements which follow add into the concept of the unknown and magical allowing both to find themselves in the story. The concept of postmodernism is one which is reflected by a variety of stories that are able to create the unknown and ideas outside of the real. The defining points of postmodernism with the unknown, grotesque, magical and fairy tale like elements are displayed specifically as an approach against the cultural and social attributes. This combines with the understanding of how this created questions of beauty and acceptance in society that was looking at the postmodernist qualities. In “Sexing the Cherry” and “The Bloody Chamber,” there is an understanding of postmodernism. The magical and fairy tale illusions as well as the grotesque define the other outside of realism. The plot line, characters and the portrayals through both stories are then able to develop and redefine the importance of moving outside of realism with the portrayal of postmodernism. References Carter, Angela. (1979). The Bloody Chamber and Other Short Stories. UK: Penguin Books. Docker, John. (1994). Postmodernism and Popular Culture. UK: Cambridge University Press. Flax, Jane. (1990). Thinking Fragments: Psychoanalysis, Feminism and Postmodernism in the Contemporary West. Los Angeles: University of California Press. Gellner, E. (1992). Postmodernism, Reason and Religion. New York: Routledge. Winterson, Jeannette. (2000). Sexing the Cherry. UK: Penguin Books. Read More