Compare the presentation of ‘setting’ in 'The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories' by Angela Carter and 'Wide Sargasso Sea' by Jean Rhys.

You will want to begin your essay with an introduction. A possible introduction to this essay may be:The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories and Wide Sargasso Sea adapt traditional fairytales and Jane Eyre, respectively, for a more progressive, desensitised, adult reader. Their settings, both internal and external, feed into a larger discourse about the position of women in society. However, whilst Carter adapts folklore and fairytale believing them to be the “most vital connection we have with the imaginations of the ordinary men and women”, Rhys’ manipulation of the cannon was a result of her “passion for stating the case of the underdog”. Regardless, both authors operate within a distinctly ‘queer’ environment examining the natural world, the domestic milieu and the mental landscape of their female characters. However, in the larger, metaphorical “room” presented by Carter and Rhys it is the male character who is significantly affected - given voice by Rhys through Rochester’s narration and subverted by Carter through her atypical depiction of gender and sexuality. In line with Carter’s presentation of men as “wolves”, our perception of men as predatory is facilitated by Rhys’ previous novel Good Morning, Midnight, in which they are similarly dehumanised leading the female character to seek solace in the domesticated, interior location. Such a dichotomy gives rise to a latent conflict in both texts which, in part, is caused by the character’s environment. Followed, ideally, by three (sometimes four) points: I think the best way to structure an essay is thematically (by theme), rather than chronologically (by the order in which events occur). Therefore, point 1 for this essay may discuss both authors' presentation of the natural setting e.g. outdoors. Point 2 could evaluate the depiction of the domestic sphere in both texts e.g. indoors. And finally, Point 3 could examine the conflict between the perceived 'safety' of domesticity in comparison to the intensity of nature. It is important to remember this is an essay which asks you to compare so discussing both texts is vital, rather than having an unbalanced focus on one particular text. To finish, you will want to write a memorable conclusion which summarises your essay's main points.