#bookworm corner

[agelesslibrary]

Poets are the painters of human experience, capturing the colors of their heart in verse.

— agelesslibrary

[muresetivoire]

Every sliver of heartache I offer to you

[luciferslilith7]

"Read a thousand books and your words will flow like a river."

~Virginia Woolf

@luciferslilith7

[uponthepages]

tore my shelves apart to share some autumn reads with you

[lannegarrett]

My toxic trait: 12am me thinking I will only read one chapter.

[katherine-ophelia]

You know when it’s raining heavily and you drive under a bridge? When it gets quiet for just a second, it seems as if everything stops? That’s how I felt when I was with you; my thoughts became sluggish and your warmth surrounded me — we were undeniably entangled.

i. Now that my bridge is gone, I’ve embraced my hurricane.

[thisisafault]

Words by me // PEACE & WAR // Poem inspired the embroidery on the left.

[planetmaven]

one of my absolute favorite things about the multi povs in King's Cage - War Storm, is the fact that every single person that had a pov chapter (besides Maven) has called or referred to Maven as a child.

I rly wish I had ss for this but I'm too lazy to go through every chapter to find them (💀)

but I remember that the more the story went on, the more the characters began to realize what a child Maven was. which is ironic considering the fact that he turned from a boy prince that no one looked at to the King of Norta who everyone feared.

everyone slowly began to realize what a child Maven Calore truly was. and it's almost haunting. the only person who I feel always knew was Cal.

[a-j-s-the-only]

To be, or not to be? That is the question— Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And, by opposing, end them? To die, to sleep—

No more—and by a sleep to say we end The heartache and the thousand natural shocks

That flesh is heir to—'tis a consummation Devoutly to be wished! To die, to sleep.

To sleep, perchance to dream-ay, there's the rub, For in that sleep of death what dreams may come When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, Must give us pause. There's the respect That makes calamity of so long life.

-Hamlet. Act 3, Scene 1, Page 3

[starrynightsxo]

having a page open and then the book flipping shut accidentally ignites real feminine rage.

[the-garden-of-electric-light]

Please forgive me for staring. I've never seen a star this close. Your dazzling light is blinding. My life, to you, I devote.

[letterstomonkey]

Power

Was it my middle finger 

in the wrong, or

Was it the wrong 

time to be Slamming a car 

door shut?

Bandaids do not concern me,

but I See my fingernail 

Floating towards the storm

drain,

Parading alongside my

long lost nickname;

I keep thinking I could 

Leave myself Out 

if I wanted to,

Who do I need to ask

To be left out?

Aren’t all of my friends just

Noisy neighbors to me?

I have a hard time relating to power when

Power never sought a

Relationship with me

[nongiftedpoet]

“What is home?”

It’s a place surrounded with books annotated with emotions, aged papers with messy handwritings, piano hugged by vines, sounds of ticking old clock filling the air, soothing smell of scented candles, magical library with books roaming around, a lake in front of the house accompanied by a kitten, near a garden filled with white flowers on the hillside, and with you by my side.

- nongiftedpoet

[unnoodles]

Do you ever just finish a book and then just exist. Like just stare at a wall because you just binged this book for hours. And now you don't know what to do. So you feel kinda like lost for the rest of the day. Until you find another book and the cycle starts all over again.

No, just me

Ok

[jasminewalkerauthor]

Trope chats: Femme fatales and damsels in distress

The tropes of femme fatales and damsels in distress have been enduring elements in literature, reflecting and shaping societal attitudes towards gender roles and expectations. These archetypes, while seemingly polar opposites, share a complex relationship that transcends the surface narrative. In this essay, we will delve into the origins, appeals, evolutions, comparisons, and societal impact of these archetypal characters, exploring how they mirror and influence the societies that create and consume them.

The femme fatale archetype emerged in early 20th-century literature, embodying a seductive and dangerous woman who uses her charm to manipulate men. This archetype taps into societal fears of female empowerment, challenging traditional gender norms. The allure of the femme fatale lies in her ability to wield her sexuality as a weapon, destabilizing the male protagonist's control and agency.

On the other hand, the damsel in distress archetype dates back centuries, portraying women as helpless and in need of rescue. This trope capitalizes on the societal ideal of women as delicate and dependent, reinforcing traditional gender roles. The appeal of the damsel in distress lies in the hero's journey, where the male protagonist's valor is showcased through his ability to save and protect the vulnerable female character.

Over time, both archetypes have evolved, reflecting changing societal attitudes towards gender. The femme fatale has morphed from a one-dimensional seductress to a multidimensional character with agency, complexity, and sometimes sympathetic motives. Writers began subverting the trope, providing femme fatales with backstories and motivations that challenge simplistic notions of good and evil.

Similarly, the damsel in distress has undergone transformation, with modern literature introducing empowered and resilient female characters who actively participate in their own rescue. This evolution reflects a shift in societal expectations, acknowledging that women can be both strong and vulnerable, active participants in their destinies.

The femme fatale and damsel in distress serve as contrasting symbols, representing opposing views of female agency and vulnerability. While the femme fatale challenges patriarchal norms by using her power, the damsel in distress reinforces traditional gender roles by embodying vulnerability. These archetypes exist on a spectrum, with characters often incorporating elements of both, highlighting the complexity of female representation in literature.

Literature has the power to shape and reflect societal attitudes. The portrayal of femme fatales and damsels in distress can perpetuate or challenge gender stereotypes, influencing how readers perceive and internalize these roles. The evolution of these archetypes mirrors societal progress, showcasing a dynamic interplay between literature and cultural shifts.

Moreover, these archetypes have real-world consequences, contributing to and perpetuating gender inequalities. The repeated exposure to stereotypical portrayals of women in literature can reinforce harmful societal norms and expectations, impacting how women are perceived and treated in everyday life.

The tropes of femme fatales and damsels in distress offer a rich tapestry for exploring the intricate dynamics of gender in literature. As these archetypes continue to evolve, writers have the opportunity to challenge and reshape societal attitudes towards gender roles. By critically examining the appeals, evolutions, comparisons, and societal impact of these characters, we gain insight into the complex interplay between literature and the cultural narratives that shape our understanding of gender.

[katherine-ophelia]

To be a dreamer is to be a lit candle in a dark house.