ENG 910: English Capstone Seminar: Week Nine

This week's seminar focused on Clemence Houseman's The Werewolf, an author and illustrator, who was also the sister of Laurence Houseman. Clemence Houseman was an avid supporter of the women's suffrage movement and was known for flouting gender norms; this is further seen in her work, The Werewolf, which depicts a female werewolf. I think this very interesting since the depictions of female werewolves are rare as werewolves symbolize hypermasculinity, monstrosity, and giving in to one's baser needs. Houseman's depictions of werewolves subvert this narrative of hypermasculinity as White Fell is a woman, and instead, likely hints to female sexuality and female domination. The most fascinating aspect of including these concepts is the connection to the inclusion of pomegranates in the frontispiece, as well as the choice to title the fifth of the six illustrations, 'The Finish'. Pomegranates can be associated with blood, death, and fertility, which might associate with White Fell as a character, as she is a female werewolf. 'The Finish' shows White Fell dominating Christian, previous to the moment they both fall to their deaths; which subverts the notions of men as dominant and women as subservient. But furthermore, I think the Houseman's choice to title the fifth illustration, 'The Finish' when there is one more illustration that follows is deliberate. I think the illustration of female dominance/male subservience in this particular moment is an allusion to female sexuality and female pleasure; a double entendre- the climactic image, where the suspense about their fates is suspended, but also gives White Fell a moment of sexual dominance where she can dominate the man who hunts her, where is she is no longer the prey but the predator. In the 1890 version, the illustrations have a grey tonal scheme rather than the black and white illustrations of the previous version and might allude to the blurring of good and evil that permeates the characters and the plot. The focus is on White Fell is portrayed as a woman, never the hybrid character seen in the earlier version of this text; alluding to her as an improper, immoral, and masculinized woman. In comparison to depictions of werewolves today, White Fell depicts a more mythological, folkloric type of werewolf which is more feral and dangerous. Whereas, depictions today depict werewolves today as almost friendly and goofy as they made palatable for children in tv shows and movies. Houseman's The Werewolf subverts many notions regarding masculinity, femininity, and sexuality, and the way in which the werewolf is portrayed. 

Groups audience: 

Comments

The Finish

Your reading of the title and image of "The Finish" as a double entendre deliberately drawing attention to White Fell's dominance is full of insight. Thank you.