An eligible bachelor
There was a man “who had fine houses, both in town and country”. Not to mention that he had “a deal of silver and gold plate”. His houses were filled with “embroidered furniture, and coaches gilded all over with gold”. Unfortunately for this man, he had “a blue beard which made him so frightfully ugly, that all women and girls ran away from him”. Thus imagery is supposed to show that Blueeard is an eligible bachelor if it is not for his beard.
Horror
The young wife couldn’t overcome her curiosity, so she made up her mind to take a risk and open the closet. The “windows were shut”, so it took her several moments to perceive that “floor was all covered over with clotted blood”. Then she saw the reflections of “several dead women ranged against the walls”. These were “all the wives whom Bluebeard had married and murdered one after another”. This imagery creates an uneasy and frightening feeling.
Luxury
The young wife’s friends used temporal absence of her husband as an opportunity to visit her. They were impatient “to see all the rich furniture of her house”. Her guests “checked all the rooms, closets and wardrobes, which were all so rich and fine, that they seemed to surpass one another”. They “could not sufficiently admire the number and beauty of tapestry, beds, couches, cabinets, stands, tables, and looking-glasses in which you might see yourself from head to foot”. This imagery is supposed to create a feeling of awe of richness.
