Reading The Magic Toyshop as a Feminist Postmodernism

This paper examines Angela Carter's The Magic Toyshop from the perspective of feminist postmodernism. As the most unique 20th century postmodern feminist, Carter depicts the fifteen-year-old protagonist Melanie's transformation and ultimate emancipation from Uncle Philip's control in the work. Melanie is destined to live and work like a puppet in a toyshop kept by her uncle, the personification of patriarchy. In the novel, not only Melanie, but also Aunt Margaret represent women suffering under male tyranny. However, they do not just succumb to it but are seen to overcome the tyranny to enter a new world of freedom. By challenging the long-established conventions which were once treated as normal and natural, Carter tries to undermine the assumptions and myths of patriarchy. As a postmodern feminist, Carter supports feminism, which guarantees equality and rights for men and women, and she creates the concept of "new woman." In The Magic Toy Shop, Melanie, the last survivor, will be the epitome of what Carter calls a new woman. Therefore, in this paper, the author emphasizes that Angela Carter