Question 1: The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories

“…Carter shows an acute awareness of the changes that result from an oral to a written transposition and calls attention to them by heightening the intertextuality of her narratives, making them into allegories that explore how sexual behaviour and gender roles are not universal, but are, like other forms of social interaction, culturally determined … I wish to argue that Carter… moves the tales from the timeless of the fairy tale to specific cultural moments, each of which presents a different problem in gender relations and sexuality.” (Kaiser, 1994: 31)

Using the above quotation from your prescribed LU2 critical reading as context, write an essay (1200 – 1500 words) comparing and contrasting Carter’s depiction of “different problems in gender relations and sexuality” in both The Bloody Chamber and The Company of Wolves stories.

In your essay, be sure to provide a structured argument that addresses the following questions:

• In what ways are Carter’s stories related to their original fairy tale counterparts (Little Red Cap and Fitcher’s Bird from LU3 in English 1A), and to what effect?
• How has Carter used characterisation, imagery and themes to portray the “problems in gender relations and sexuality” in these two stories, and to what effect?
• Which of these two stories is most significant for contemporary 21st Century readers, and why?

To support your argument, refer to relevant evidence from The Bloody Chamber and The Company of Wolves stories, as well as relevant arguments and theory from at least three additional credible sources (this means that your reference list must include a minimum of five sources – the two specified stories, and at least three others).

Question 2 – Resistance Poetry (Marks: 100)

When choosing this option, please respond to both Q.2.1 and Q.2.2.

Q.2.1 Write a poem (minimum 14 lines) engaging with the form, imagery and themes that capture the spirit of resistance poetry as a powerful means of authentic social, political and cultural expression and commentary.

The subject matter of the poem is up to you – there is no time like the present to protest injustices in our society. Select a current issue that is important to you and speak your mind through poetry.

The form, style and structure of the poem are also up to you. Use the LU3 prescribed resistance poems from the Moffett (2013) anthology as inspiration to convey your subject matter. Ensure that your choice of form, style and structure are maintained consistently throughout your poem.

Marks will be awarded both for creativity and for employing appropriate poetic devices to enhance your poem’s message and effect on the reader.

Q.2.2 Write an essay (1000 – 1250 words) critically reflecting on the thematic and stylistic choices you made in the creation of your poem.

To do this, you will need to explain and justify:

• The ways in which your poem was influenced by a current injustice in South Africa and/or internationally,
• The ways in which both the thematic and stylistic choices of your poem are inspired by one or more of the prescribed poems in LU3.

In addition, you must refer to arguments and theory from at least two credible sources to substantiate your critical reflection.

Answers to Above Questions

The ways in which Carter’s stories relates to their original fairy tale counterparts is discussed below including an analysis on the ways in which Carter used characterisation, imagery and themes to portray the problems in gender relations and sexuality. Finally an explanation is provided with respect to the ways in which two stories is most significant for contemporary 21st Century readers…….

Get complete answers on the above questions on English subject from the experts of Student Life Saviour in South Africa.