I find a deep resonance with the figure in this portrait; he embodies my own inner turmoil. He stands as the very essence of the sorrowful introvert, contentedly secluded from a world that has granted him nothing but relentless adversity. His eyes, brimming with profound pathos, tell a story of enduring pain and sadness. If … Continue reading Shy Peasant
Tag: fiction
The Collector
A Tale of Misery, Mediocrity, and Meaninglessness John Fowles' debut novel, The Collector, has been lauded by some as a brilliant exploration of obsession and power dynamics. However, one must ask if these admirers have ever experienced anything more intellectually stimulating than a soggy slice of toast. The novel, masquerading as a psychological thriller, is … Continue reading The Collector
The Withered Arm
I love Thomas Hardy's work, even though when he writes some of his characters' dialogue in the vernacular, it's enough to make you dig your fingernails into your palms! Thomas Hardy, that wizard of Wessex, had a knack for creating vivid and often haunting stories steeped in the bleak beauty of rural England. In The … Continue reading The Withered Arm
Doctor Faustus
Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus is a classic of the Elizabethan era, packed with enough theological musings, existential angst, and demonic shenanigans to keep audiences entertained for over four centuries. Let's take a deep dive into this magnum opus, and lighten the heavy dose of hellfire and brimstone. The Plot: A Scholar's Tragicomedy At its core, … Continue reading Doctor Faustus
Marlowe’s Plea
A poem today; a short bio, a breakdown of the poem, then the poem itself. Christopher Marlowe was a renowned Elizabethan playwright, poet, and translator, born in Canterbury, England, in 1564. He was the son of a shoemaker and received a scholarship to attend the King's School in Canterbury. Marlowe later attended Corpus Christi College, … Continue reading Marlowe’s Plea