'The Scarlet Woman' - A Reflection

'The Scarlet Woman' is a highly descriptive text which offers a detailed insight into a femme fatale figure in the eyes of her lover. In writing 'The Scarlet Woman' , I have utilised imagery in order to highlight the true essence of the femme fatale depicted in the text.

I have employed a strong sense of imagery when describing the femme fatale and the effect she has on her lover. Metaphors are the most common form of imagery, the author describing being with the woman as 'a whirlpool of desire' and holding her presence as having 'a fire burn deep within my soul'.  This emphasises the intensity of the man's lust for the femme fatale, effectively conveying a sense of her power and allure. Also implemented with the same effect is the use of personification in the phrase 'her ebony locks form a snare around my blackened heart'. This, too, highlight's the woman's almost violent form of attraction; an element of the traditional femme fatale archetype. The recurring image of the femme fatale's 'scarlet lips' serves as a motif which exaggerates the power she has over her lover. The man's fixation with 'that red hue' proves that she has the capacity to completely entrance a male and lure him into the trap that she holds. If she has such a potent effect on her lover's thinking and everyday life, she has the absolute power to control him in any way she pleases.

'The Scarlet Woman' successfully applies a variety of imagery techniques in order to convey the underlying theme of the femme fatale, portraying a confident and assertive woman who boasts independence.