In Angela Carter’s “The Tigers Bride,” a woman named Charisma Gains is forced to marry a tiger, a creature that has been ravaging the villages north of Hanoi. The tiger, who is half-men-half-beasts, is a symbol of love and power, as she transforms into the creature she loves. The story takes place in an unnamed Italian city, where the narrator’s father is gambling everything away. They are unaware that all men staying in his territory must play cards with the Beast, a mysterious and disguised figure.
The Beast’s beastliness relates to his tendency to be violent, his sexuality, and his manliness (shown as active, independent, and in control). Carter’s novel presents a feminist view of men’s apparent role in human relationships, suggesting that they live materialistic lives and care more about possessions and social status than their partners. The story also explores the world that we live in, with the protagonist being a Siberian tiger who meets the woman he wants on All Hallows Eve full moon.
The narrator’s father loses her to the Beast at cards, and she must make her first impression perfect to be remembered forever. The pressure to find her soulmate is intense, and Charisma gains the opportunity to meet her on All Hallows Eve full moon. The novel explores themes of love, power, and the consequences of not succeeding in finding one’s soulmate.
In conclusion, “The Tigers Bride” is a captivating tale that explores the complex relationship between humans and animals, with a focus on animal studies and human desires to shapeshift into animals.
Add comment