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Unicorn: The Poetry of Angela Carter

Darren Nelson

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Angela Carter's poetry is a rich and complex exploration of the female experience, combining elements of fantasy, myth, and the grotesque. This article examines the use of the unicorn as a symbol in Carter's work, exploring its significance as a representation of female power, desire, and the search for identity.

Unicorn: The poetry of Angela Carter

by Angela Carter

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	295 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	128 pages

The Unicorn as a Symbol of Female Power

The unicorn is a powerful and majestic creature, and in Carter's work it is often associated with female power. In her poem "Unicorn," the speaker identifies with the unicorn, describing herself as "a creature of the moon" with "a silver horn." The unicorn's horn is a symbol of its power, and the speaker uses it to defend herself against the threats of the world.

In another poem, "The Lady of the House of Love," the unicorn is a symbol of the female libido. The speaker describes the unicorn as "a creature of desire," and she uses it to express her own sexual desires. The unicorn is a powerful and dangerous creature, but it is also a beautiful and desirable one. Carter's use of the unicorn as a symbol of female power and desire challenges traditional notions of femininity.

The Unicorn as a Symbol of Female Identity

The unicorn is also a symbol of female identity. In her poem "The Unicorn Tapestries," Carter describes the unicorn as a creature that is both real and imagined. The unicorn is a part of the natural world, but it is also a creature of myth and legend. In this way, the unicorn represents the dual nature of female identity.

Women are both real and imagined. They are part of the natural world, but they are also part of the cultural world. They are subject to the same laws of nature as men, but they are also subject to the social and cultural expectations that are placed on them. Carter's use of the unicorn as a symbol of female identity explores the complex and multifaceted nature of what it means to be a woman.

The Unicorn as a Symbol of the Search for Identity

The unicorn is also a symbol of the search for identity. In her poem "The Unicorn in the Garden," Carter describes the unicorn as a creature that is both lost and found. The unicorn is lost in the garden, but it is also found by the speaker. In this way, the unicorn represents the speaker's own search for identity.

The speaker of the poem is a young woman who is trying to find her place in the world. She is lost and confused, but she is also determined to find her own unique identity. The unicorn represents the speaker's hopes and dreams for the future. It is a symbol of her own potential and her own strength.

The unicorn is a powerful and complex symbol in Angela Carter's poetry. It is a representation of female power, desire, and the search for identity. Carter's use of the unicorn challenges traditional notions of femininity and explores the complex and multifaceted nature of what it means to be a woman.

Unicorn: The poetry of Angela Carter

by Angela Carter

4 out of 5