Line #34 Literature/TheMagicToyshop


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/a1lwt2nu7kl.jpg]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:Enjoy the show...]]
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4	''The Magic Toyshop'' is a British novel written by Creator/AngelaCarter in 1967.
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6	The story follows Melanie as she and her younger brother and sister are suddenly orphaned when their parents perished in a plane crash over the Grand Canyon, and had to move far away to London to live under the guardianship of the bullish and oppressive Uncle Philip, a man they don't know too well in childhood who operates a toyshop of peculiar quality. Living with him are his wife, Margaret (who doesn't speak, has been badly mistreated by her husband and has to write notes to communicate to them), and her younger brothers Francie and Finn.
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8	Throughout her stay in her uncle's home, Melanie undergoes a growing awareness of herself, her environment and her sexuality.
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10	A Television Movie was made in 1987, with Carter adapting her own work.
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12	----
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14	!!The Magic Toyshop contains the following examples:
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16	* AgeGapRomance: Melanie and Finn
17	* BadBedroomBadLife: The bedrooms Melanie and her siblings are given aren't the warmest places to be sleeping in.
18	* BigYes: Francie rejoices greatly when he hears Finn destroyed the swan last night.
19	* BittersweetEnding: Melanie and Finn [[spoiler:escaped the fire, but the house and toyshop is burned to the ground, the fate of Margaret, Francie and Victoria unknown]].
20	* BrotherSisterIncest: [[spoiler: Margaret and Francie are said to have been in a secret incestuous relationship.]]
21	* DomesticAbuse: Uncle Philip is abusive to Margaret and her brothers physically, emotionally, and financially.
22	* EvilUncle: Uncle Philip
23	* FatBastard: Uncle Philip, again.
24	* FinancialAbuse: Uncle Philip financially abuses Margaret and her brothers by not allowing them to have any share of his money whatsoever.
25	* FirstKiss: Received by Melanie from Finn in the ruined pleasure house, though it could double as an AwkwardKiss because Melanie didn't expect it.
26	* HouseFire: [[spoiler:Instigated by Philip in a fit of rage not long after coming home to discover rebellion in the house and his wife's infidelity.]]
27	* InnocenceLost: Melanie and her younger siblings lost their parents to a plane crash.
28	* LiquidCourage: Finn drank some alcohol to give him the guts to destroy the puppet swan as revenge for Melanie's theater ordeal by Philip's hand.
29	* LoveRevelationEpiphany: Melanie has this when she realizes she actually has feelings for Finn, which he shares a similar sentiment.
30	* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: Finn realizes that he had destroyed the puppet swan after the alcohol wore off.
31	* MyGodYouAreSerious: When Finn informs Melanie of Philip's preference in what women should wear, she thought he was kidding. He wasn't.
32	* OhCrap: Finn has this moment when, upon hearing violent noises downstairs, [[spoiler:he realizes Uncle Philip had returned home]].
33	* ParalyzingFearOfSexuality: Downplayed. Finn was tempted to have sex with Melanie while practicing for the play ''Leda and the Swan'', but he doesn't go through with it due to fearing Philip told him to do so.
34	* PortraitPaintingPeephole: Actually, a peephole in the wall, but it counts. Finn used this to spy on Melanie, but not for perverted reasons.
35	* ReclusiveArtist: Uncle Philip, but not a friendly case. His toys are often leaning in UncannyValley, he doesn't like giving his shop publicity, and he refuses to take checks instead of cash as payment for his toys. He even operates PuppetShows for his own pleasure rather than publicly.
36	* ScaryJackInTheBox: Melanie had been gifted one once with an UncannyValley design of her face. It scared her enough her parents got rid of it in belief Philip made it out of malice.
37	* SheCleansUpNicely: Gender flipped; Finn gives himself a decent cleanup as part of his celebrating Uncle Philip's absence.
38	* StrawMisogynist: Philip thinks women in his house should wear only dresses or skirts and prefers them silent, according to Finn.
39	* SuddenlySpeaking: [[spoiler:The last time Aunt Margaret is seen; she vocally urges Melanie and Finn to escape]].
40	* TheVoiceless: Aunt Margaret. At the end, though...
41	* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: We don't know the fate of Jonathon or Victoria.
42	* WouldHitAGirl: Philip slaps Melanie for ruining his show, even though the swan legit scared her.
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Context Literature / TheMagicToyshop