The Snow Child

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Angela Carter’s “The Snow Child” is a short story that illustrates how obsessions and jealousy can result in the risk of losing personal values, a sense of self, and possibly life. It delves from the thoughts of a man and woman who is of high authority and appears to get what their hearts’ desire by speaking what they want into existence. This type of thinking can stem from laws of attraction, jealousy, or of being optimistic and one getting things they want by seeing as if it is real. “The Snow Child” highlights or mirrors greed through the author’s use of imagery, simile, and metaphors to illustrate the count and countess desires. There are many ways the author exemplified greed through imagery from both the count and the countess. For example, Carter uses very descriptive language to describe the countess’s attire, “wrapped in the glittering pelts of black foxes; and she wore high, black, shining boots with scarlet heels, and spurs”( pg 115). This type of clothing gives readers insight to how rich the countess and count is. Therefore, if the count or countess were to ever want anything, it is very possible for them to obtain it. We see this happening with the count when he wishes for a girl with certain characteristics. Unbeknownst to readers why he would want a girl when he has a …show more content…

For instance, as mentioned, the count wanted to have a child with white skin, a red mouth and black hair. Once his descriptions of the child became clearer of what he desired, his wish was granted. In addition, through the descriptions of attire by the author, readers can suggest that the countess is very wealthy. Even though the count and countess may possess expensive luxuries and speak what they want into existence, Carter displays their greed as evil through the death of the snow child. “The snow child” is a short story that employs greed can cause harm to what is most

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