“The Very Highest Level of Mythic Resonance.” Angela Carter and the Trope of Recognition

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

I do work on adaptations of myths and on psychoanalysis, so it was a very interesting essay. I can't really comment on how accurate the assessment of Carter's work is in itself, or on how new this reading of Carter is in the sphere of Carter scholarship. But given my background and areas of research, I found the paper compelling and insightful.

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Author Response

Dear Reviewer,

please see the attachment

 

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

The paragraph starting on line 36 has a topic sentence focused on Carter but then shifts to a vague "we" and a more general approach to myth and recognition.  Because the previous paragraph does not fully develop Carter's connection of myth and recognition, or the problems of re-mythologizing, this generalizing seems misplaced and unhelpful.

Thus, the manuscript needs better transition from the introductory ideas of Carter and myth, which are quite clearly discussed, to the concept of recognition as a component of engaging myth and literature for Carter.  It seemed that something was missing or should be added around lines 43-44 to connect myth more directly with recognition (anagnorisis).

On line 71, please qualify the broad generalization that "certainly Jungian discussion" applies to Carter's work.

Line 130 gives a fine conceptual transition.  Check that the concept of recognition appears consistently throughout the discussion and doesn't just morph into a discussion of the Oedipus myth.

The conclusion needs to be extended to provide more implications and more of a so what.  In addition to Carter's distrust of an ur-matriarchy, remind readers how attending to her literary criticism and her fiction invites grappling with the continuing resonances of myth and traditional narrative. Point out more consequences of recognition (anagrnorisis) and the image in relation with literature and stories as ways of coming to know, creating, and connecting and of navigating nature, culture, individuality, collectivity, situated contexts, and remaining in motion.

 

Author Response

Dear Reviewer,

please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx