Analysis

Here are the main features which will help you with the analysis of the short story “The Werewolf” by Angela Carter.

When it comes to the short story’s structure, the text is divided into two main sections. The first section deals with the larger setting, while the second one deals with the little girl's story. There are many foreshadowing elements, as well as moments of tension. Furthermore, the story has traditional plot elements such as exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.

The main characters in the short story are an unnamed girl referred throughout the story only as "the child", her grandmother, and the collective character of the community living in the northern territory. The plot twist  shows that the grandmother is a werewolf. Other characters, such as the little girl's mother and the grandmother’s neighbors, are also mentioned.

The physical setting helps create the horror mood of the story. The first section of the text is dedicated to the physical setting, which is described in detail to better convey the dark atmosphere. The social setting explores concepts such as superstition, feminism, and sexism.

The story is told from the perspective of a third-person narrator, whose point of view is generally limited to what the the little girl knows. However, the narrator also seems to have insight into the shared conscience of the community.

The language used in the text is formal. The first part of the text is written in the present tense, to suggest the current state of the community and their beliefs. The second part of the text is written in the past tense, to convey the specific event involving the little girl and her grandmother.

A full analysis of the short story can be found in the following pages.