Theme: Meaning of the Portrait Censorship of Oscar Wilde https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2011/08/08/deceptive-picture

“I know he likes me. Of course I flatter him dreadfully. I find a strange pleasure in saying things to him that I know I shall be sorry for having said. As a rule, he is charming to me, and we sit in the studio talking of a thousand things. Now and then, however, he … [Read more…]

This caught my eye on the RLS website under the tab ‘Works’. I knew that he was also a poet, but I didn’t know that he composed music for many years and was a big fan of Beethoven. Author/historian J. F. M. Russell compiled Stevenson’s compositions in order, and recreated them on their intended instruments … [Read more…]

“Once, very early in my career, it had totally failed me; since then I had been obliged on more than one occasion to double, and once, with infinite risk of death, to treble the amount; and these rare uncertainties had cast hitherto the sole shadow on my contentment. Now, however, and in the light of … [Read more…]

These are three different adaptations of the character Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and I found it interesting how similar they are. Each shows the man (Dr. Jekyll) looking respectable and normal, and the monster (Mr. Hyde) in his shadow looking eerie and hideous. It’s going to be interesting to see, as we read the … [Read more…]

This artifact is dated to 1836, from a newspaper printed in Ireland. It depicts a regal woman riding a steed that has three lion heads. The monster is standing triumphantly over many dead bodies. Around the woman and monster, people are being tortured to death. The purpose of the piece was to call out the … [Read more…]

5 Signs of Emotional Abuse 1. They are hyper-critical or judgmental towards you “Now for the hitch in Jane’s character,” he said at last, speaking more calmly than from his look I had expected him to speak. “The reel of silk has run smoothly enough so far; but I always knew there would come a … [Read more…]

I could be terrible at reading tone, or I just don’t agree with the message Bronte is trying to get across when it comes to Jane’s behavior. The portion of the book recounting her childhood notes that she was ‘volatile’ and angry because she was unloved and neglected. Jane resents the adults around her who … [Read more…]

Directly to jail, do not pass go, do not collect $200. Forever. Weirdo.

Mr. Rochester sucks. “Well, I observed to him that as you were unused company, I did not think you would like appearing at so gay a party – all strangers; and he replied, in his quick way – ‘Nonsense! If she objects, tell her it is my particular wish; and if she resists, say I … [Read more…]