Compare and contrast Melchior and Peregrine and how important they are to the novel

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Compare and contrast Melchior and Peregrine and how important they are to the novel

        Melchior and Peregrine can almost be places side by side and seen as an oxymoron when compared to each other. They are diametrically opposed regarding their paternal instincts and priorities in life, even though they are fraternal twins. However, even though their personalities have a large impact on the novel, Angela Carter has ensured that her feminist views are prominent in showing both Mel and Perry as somewhat irresponsible and the cause of many of the female character’s distress.

        Dora and Nora perceive Perry as monumental. He is  "the size of a warehouse, bigger, the size of a tower block" and as far as he is concerned “life's a carnival.” This is an aptly appropriate quotation, which Angela Carter has purposefully chosen to write to show clearly how Perry embodies carnivelesque. He not only seems to make their life as enjoyable as possible, but he also seems to always manage to save the day. Chapter five ends with a large culmination in which Peregrine appears spontaneously announcing “Did yez think I was dead?” This is a clear example of how Perry turning up as the spirit of carnival can never be completely discounted, regardless of his presumed location.

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        Dora and Nora’s relationship with their biological father Melchior contrasts greatly to that with Peregrine. Dora narrates with a very casual style that adds to the idea that even though Nora and herself do love him, they do not take Mel seriously, regardless of his status. “The way that Melchior filled those tights was the snag; Genghis hadn't gone to all this expenses to that his wife would be upstaged by her co-star's package.” The way she makes jokes as Mel’s expense is an indication that even though his ambition and his appearance of perfection drive him, he is in actual ...

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