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chocolatecoveredbrusselsprout · 7 months

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Okay would LOVE to see some discourse/hear other people’s thoughts (respectfully plz no one be rude for no reason) cuz I HAVE SOME.

I have never liked the Raven Queen. The Matron of Ravens. I wanted to so badly! Her aesthetic? Iconic. The way she OUSTED the previous god of death? KILLED him? As a mortal? And she ascended to godhood? A total flex. Like damn fr. BUT

I can’t get over what she did to Vax. If she just hadn’t taken advantage of him, I could love her so much. But I can’t. My disdain has also grown the further into Campaign 3 we get and the more I read.

Some Reasons!

1. She took advantage of Vax when he was in a weak spot. He was struggling, depressed, and desperate at the sudden loss of his sister. She used this to make a deal with him.

2. She took Vax immediately after they defeated Vecna. Why could he not live out his life as her champion? (I do know that because of the Disintegrate spell, there was no body to revive him so this would kind of “go against” her rules?)

3. Why make Vax her champion? He wasn’t willing. Yes, he offered himself, but that was more so coercion. Consent should be enthusiastic! Vax’ildan was desperate and afraid to lose the ones he loved, so he made deals with a god previously unknown to him. We’ve seen that the Matron has MANY followers in Campaign 3. There were so many she could have chosen to be her champion. Who would have WANTED to be her champion. Why Vax? Are we to truly believe that in all of Exandria, no other follower of the RQ was fate-touched? (If that was her reason)

4. She also made him her *eternal* champion. (This is part especially where I’d love to hear others’ thoughts). Vax does not get to die. Not like most people. He is now stuck in that same limbo as the Raven Queen. Yes, he gets to shepherd souls to The Other Side. Purvan did. But Purvan GOT TO REST. He served his time, and then got to pass on. As of right now, Vax will never know rest, and I hate that she stole it from him. If Vax has died-died, eventually he would be reunited with his loved ones in the afterlife. Now, when they die, they’ll see him, but only briefly as he must go back to his ETERNAL DUTY. May I remind you that he did not ask for that position?

Also, doesn’t that kind of contradict her whole “death is a part of life” thing, having an eternal champion? Yes, Vax is now a celestial and he did “die,” but he never passes on to the afterlife. Some blurry lines there.

5. The Matron has punished Vax for visiting/“interfering” with his loved ones. In latest 4-sided dive, Matt clarified that the first attack on Zephrah/Keyleth, Vax showed up and saved her (that’s how Otohan knew he would come again). Matt continued that his actions were technically against the RQ’s commands, and that she punished him for it (we don’t know how). Now, Vax’ildan is stuck in a painful orb as a lens, and she has done nothing to help.

So that’s all I have at the moment. What do y’all think? Please share your thoughts or tag me in stuff cuz I want to read more on it. It continually bugs me that the Matron was lonely in her task (fair) and that she may have not realized that before ascending, but that does not mean that she should force Vax to the same fate/keep him to herself.

(Also, I think Gargo/Shithead may have been her animal companion? That will be another post though)

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nimrism · 4 days

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could you make this post? please, it's so fascinating i really want to hear your thoughts on it

"The Dark Tower" Morgwen Interactions Analysis

i've literally been waiting for someone to ask me this so i can go all out in answer, so you're literally my favorite- THANK YOU! i've tried to put all the thoughts swirling around in my head into one coherent post, so strap in and let's LOOK AT THE IMPLICATIONS (from my perspective)!

first and most importantly, i want to zero in on morgana's choice of kidnapee; she could've chosen anyone in camelot, any one of the knigts who were regularly privy to arthur's battle plans and schedule, but nope. if we're looking at it from the perspective of "she needs the closest person to arthur" wouldn't that be merlin? she could have kidnapped and brainwashed him; he would've made for a fabulous inconspicious mole in the court, and arthur literally goes to him for anything and everything. i actually think it would make for a really interesting au/fic if it were merlin who was kidnapped instead of gwen (love confession/magic reveal possibilities are ENDLESS), but maybe it's a little too close to the plot of "a servant of two masters" and the writers didn't want to be repetitive. i'm going to be biased and delusional in believing that morgana did choose gwen, in particular, for more personal reasons as well as for her nefarious ones.

the way i see it (and this is obviously very objective), by the time we get to this point in s5, morgana is LONELY, like, has-no-one-in-the-world-except-aithusa type of lonely, and her choice of allies has been lacking diversity as of late (why are they all men 💀), AND they all end up dying anyway. so, she needs a plan, and she needs a trusted ally (she also needs a bit of love and lip balm cause DAMN). BUT the thing is, why would anyone be loyal to her? she's never kept any allies (or friends) thanks to her wit and charm alone, she's only ever kept men loyal to her by striking fear in their hearts. it's the same for her friends and family, i think. she doesn't believe they even tolerate her existence, so she needs to be crowned queen to subdue them and FORCE them to respect her. the same goes for gwen. she was only morgana's friend when morgana was a naive and vulnerable girl, plagued by nightmares and unexplained fears, and the second morgana grew out of them (or learned to control them) gwen stopped being affectionate, stopped being open. that's how morgana sees it, and it only reinforces her belief that gwen would never understand the person she's become now, she wouldn't quite see what morgana was trying to do. unless morgana forced her to.

the whole kidnapping affair was to MAKE gwen understand, because she wouldn't do it of her own free will. gwen would never willingly be on morgana's side, so she had to jump through a few morally questionable hoops to bring her over. in the end, i do believe all morgana really wanted was a friend (maybe a little bit more, amirite ladies), though by this point her concept of friendship had become twisted beyond recognition, and in all the chaos, this was the only way she thought she could have one. throughout the episode, a lot of the old morgana shines through, even if it is portrayed as just manipulation, and i do think that was her either slipping back into old habits or forcing herself to, for the sake of the brainwashing and for the sake of their friendship that she's trying to rekindle.

a point that i've seen several people make is that between the niceties, the "real" morgana peeks through several times throughout the ep, but i kinda disagree. i don't necessarily think that just because her smile drops, it means that the niceties were a facade and her "evil" side pops back out. i read the sudden change in expression more as disappointment. gwen fights back with such vigour that it's probably painful for morgana to realize that her former friend sees her as nothing more than an evil witch who's hell-bent on hurting her, now. she's disappointed that gwen, who was supposed to know her best, believes what the others do, and doesn't believe that morgana is being sincere in her offer of friendship.

a small remark i also have is: why wasn't morgana one of the visions/hallucinations gwen had in the dark tower? it's interesting to see that the closest three people to gwen are her brother, arthur, and merlin, of all people. i feel like gwen's history with morgana has to have had a lasting effect on both of them, even if morgana is supposed to be "evil" now. you don't stop loving someone just because they've chosen (or BEEN chosen by) the dark side. morgana was one of the people gwen cared about most in seasons 1 through 3 (s3 is pushing it a little, but still), it doesn't really make sense for it all to be forgotten so completely like we see in this episode. i also think it would've been super interesting to see a hallucination of younger morgana in particular, partially as a reminder that part of gwen still cares about morgana and largely because i'd like to see how gwen would react to that vision... would it differ from the other three? what would morgana do? would she sneer and laugh like elyan and arthur? would she do a little rawr like merlin (😭)? i feel like a ficlet is in order for this concept cause i would like to see it but i have to imagine it first (but that's the hard part 😭)

NOW ONTO THE MOST DELICIOUS PART OF THIS ANALYSIS: THE QUOTES

M: "Would you prefer some chicken?"

i just found this one hilarious tbh like she's so out of pocket what are you doing offering your kidnapee some chicken and WHAT WAS THE OTHER OPTION, IF NOT CHICKEN?

M: "I know how lonely you must be, all by yourself in that room. At least you're not shackled, and there's daylight. You can move, you can see."

oof. she's obviously referring to her own capture and torture, pulling from her own experience. it's heartwrenching that morgana has been through all of this, traumatised beyond reason, but it's even more heartwrenching that she thinks she's doing gwen a service, like this. it might not seem like that to any sane person, but after everything she's been through, morgana's worldview is completely different. in her mind, however twisted and detached it has become, she's being merciful to gwen this way, giving her luxuries that she was never afforded when she was captured. (including a warm meal with chicken at miss havisham's table 🤩)

M: "I too have suffered, Gwen. I spent two years living in darkness. I spent two years chained to a wall at the bottom of a pit... You did not know."

goddddd this line... it's just so painful, so powerful, so indicative of SO MANY THINGS. it's EVERYTHING. every acting choice katie and angel made in this scene was brilliant but ESPECIALLY their facial expressions in this particular part WOAH. the way morgana's voice cracks on the word "pit" is DEVASTATING. i was floored. the way gwen's face falls as she processes her words and they properly set in... INCREDIBLE. the concern in gwen's eyes is palpable as she realizes the horrors inflicted on her friend. and the final "you did not know" was so, so powerful. morgana realizes that gwen didn't know about and clearly wasn't okay with what she went through. gwen had no part in it. morgana SMILES at gwen's reaction, but instead of it being a smile of malice or evil it's one of RELIEF, and one that she hides very promptly. she's reassured in the knowledge that gwen had no idea she had suffered so immensely, and that, more importantly, she wasn't involved in it. it's SO important to note that morgana has no idea whether arthur had a hand in her own torture or not. it's especially not a good look on him that he invites the sarrum as a friend of camelot so soon after the events of "the dark tower", so, as far as morgana knows, he could've been a "friend" when she was being tortured for years, too. i wonder what would've happened if morgana had kidnapped gwen AFTER the sarrum's visit to camelot... i feel like that would have complicated things with gwen much further, if morgana thought she was complicit in her imprisonment.

M: "I would have sold my soul for someone to show me kindness such as this."

only two points on this heartbreaking line: 1- FUCK the sarrum of amata. all my homies HATE the sarrum. s4 and s5 morgana might both be textbook cases of "evil", but they're two VERY different people with two very different worldviews and tactics. morgana's imprisonment turned her into the cold husk of a person she is by s5. and 2- this just further confirms that morgana thinks she's doing gwen a favor, dining with her and letting sunlight into her room and choosing not to tie her up etc.

M: "Your hands are cold... I have a warm fire going for you."

oh boy is this a MOMENT. the way morgana keeps her hand held out. the way gwen reluctantly puts her hand in hers (MORGWEN HAND-HOLD!) *ivy by taylor swift starts playing out of nowhere* {ohhhhh goddamn, my pain fits in the palm of your freezing hand, taking mine, but it's been promised to another, ohhh}

um anyway i digressed. then the way gwen wriggles her hand out of morgana's grasp, while morgana grips her fingers with unwavering determination... it's just delicious.

M: "Anything you want, you can have. I'll give it to you."

idk about you but personally i'm SOLD. take all my money. i read this as morgana trying her utmost best to sell gwen on joining her, but i can also see the manipulation laced in it.

G: "Why are you doing this?"

M: "Because we're friends. We always were."

to me, this reinforces the theory that morgana's just trying to get her friend back on her side. by stating that they've always been friends, morgana reaffirms their friendship as much to herself as to gwen. she was her friend once, and she can be again.

M: "I'm helping you. I'm looking after you."

this sort of feels like morgana is telling herself that, more than she's telling gwen. maybe it's just part of the manipulation process, but i do believe that this was morgana's conscience reassuring her that what she's doing is in gwen's favor and that she's being kind to her.

M: "It's alright, I'm here."

UGH this line. morgana is being the person she needed when she was imprisoned. this scene is also a parallel to all the times morgana woke up screaming in the middle of the night and gwen was there to comfort her in s1/2. this time the tables have turned and it's morgana comforting gwen. simply delicious.

M: "My darling, I was wrong to make you suffer."

TEA! to say that this line was spoken from the bottom of morgana's heart might just be a bit too delusional, but i like to think there's at least some truth to it. torturing gwen had a lot of paralells to morgana's own imprisonment and torture, and she did want to make her suffer, at least in the beginning. but it was also different from what morgana went through. this is NOT to justify torture, btw, torture is BAD, but her "manipulation" tactics got a bit too personal at some point, and i like to think at least a part of it was genuine.

G: "No. Whatever twisted game you're playing, I want no part in it. I would rather stay here and die."

ouch. gwen's resistance to the last possible minute shows such strength on her part (cause me? i would've given in before she even dragged me through the desert tbh) and it gave us such a delicious performance from angel; the reluctance? the uncertainty? the distrust? the relief that morgana is there but also the FEAR of what she's doing? the contradiction between the morgana that gwen once knew and the morgana that everyone KNOWS is evil? but the morgana that gwen once knew is shining through now, and she's saying everything gwen wants to hear... grade-A angst.

IN CONCLUSION they're gfs your honor, this was all just a plot to snatch gwen back from arthur cause morgana didn't think seducing her herself would work. (this phrase could be in reference to this ep or the "lancelot du lac" ep i'm cackling morgana really is hopeless) there are also SEVERAL psychological layers to it, but describing it this way is just easier.

SO... this is possibly the longest post i've ever made. it got a little more comprehensive than i originally thought it would be, but THERE YOU HAVE IT! that's my take on the morgwen interactions in the dark tower. if i seem a little biased, that's because i 100% am :) i hope that clears things up. this is an open invitation to keep sending me asks (even if it's about the most random things ever) cause i love them and i love every single person who sends in an ask, and a public apology for how long these answers get sometimes 😭

#the fuckass sarrum is public enemy number one #hate that guy #morgana defender til the day i die #yes she's done some questionable things but have you considered that she's baby #can you tell i'm biased #save me morgwen save me #morgwen will probably be my undoing at this point #they're so special to me #the dark tower #this episode was a whole rollercoaster #morgana's gf might've been stolen from her but she stole her BACK #and now she's dragging her across the desert #now they're having a lil heart to heart #back to torture #fruity #HAND HOLDING #torture again #bunch of other stuff happens #FRUITY AGAIN!#that's pretty much the summary #anyway i hope this is coherent enough to be read #feel free to discuss #include me in the discussion too i'm making an effort to socialize #bbc merlin #morgana pendragon #morgana #guinevere #morgwen #merlin theory

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sassypantsjaxon · 9 months

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What kind of hero is Present Mic?

So we know there are different categories a hero could be placed under depending on what kind of work they specialize in (Aizawa’s an underground hero, 13 is a rescue hero, etc, etc) But for the most part, most heroes seem to just be do-it-all basic heroes. And that seems to be the category Mic falls under. But was that always what he intended for himself?

For the answer to that, we’re going to go back to Vigilantes. Granted, the arc is actually about Aizawa, but unless the main series gives a flashback to Mic’s earlier life, it’s the best insight we have for him. Since the arc is centered around Aizawa and how lost he felt, it doesn’t focus a lot on Mic or Oboro’s thoughts and feelings, but one of the things used to show how directionless Aizawa was is his lack of a work study. Again, this is Aizawa’s story, but given that Hizashi and Oboro also don’t have work studies, I think there’s a good chance they were just as directionless as he was.

So let’s talk about Hizashi. He’s the first of the three to get his work study, he’s recruited by the battle-oriented Buster Union due to his powerful quirk. Hizashi’s stated to be skilled at all parts of hero work, but Shota and Oboro are both still surprised that he would go with that and question if he’s cut out for being a fighter.

So, despite his powerful quirk that has him singled out by a powerhouse team, if he’s not a fighter, then what is he?

Given that he’s front and center for rescue training, I’m guessing that was originally his specialty. It’s not that surprising, he’s friendly, cooperative, and personable, probably good at crowd control, and his Voice is well suited for evacuations. So then how come we rarely get to see him use his quirk that way? How come we’ve only seen him do crowd control once in Vigilantes and an evacuation in the third movie? His return to the Buster Union, screaming down the intruders at the USJ, cracking open Shigaraki’s tank, we don’t actually get to see him in action that often compared to some heroes, but every time we do, he’s in more of a fighter’s position than a rescuers.

So why? What happened to make him give up on becoming a rescue hero and become a fighter instead?

Simple. As a regular fighting hero he can just scream at villains and DJ punch evil doctors and put away bad guys and call it a day. As a rescue hero he would actually have to save people. And he just doesn’t think he’s very good at that anymore.

#bnha #my hero academia #present mic #yamada hizashi #shouta aizawa #oboro shirakumo #...i'm really really sorry about that last point it hurt me to write it as much as it hurt you to read it #but i also think this would tie in to why he would choose present as in 'i am here' as part of his hero name #these are just my thoughts and headcanons #feel free to discuss #no really. let's talk about the guilt he must feel from not being able to prevent his friend's deaths and near-deaths

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popironrye · 9 months

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Ok, there is some emotional depth to Cage's Dracula (Renfield 2023)

Nicolas Cage's portrayal of Dracula is one of my favorites, not because he's a brazen old fashioned villain. He is. Not because he's a fun time to watch in how he moves and how he dresses. He is. Not even because he checks all my boxes as the subject for my obsessive sinful lusts and desires. He does. As Nicolas Cage does best, his Dracula is very expressive. And I don't just mean his hammy grin. His snark. Or his teeth clenching rage. There's something a bit more vulnerable in the calmer moments, especially ones that deal with Renfield.

One of my favorites, hard to describe. In between blowing up in anger and throwing insults at Renfield, Dracula is caught off guard when he pulls out the book. When he goes to read it, this expression from Dracula is telling to me.

This one where Dracula is listening to Renfield try so hard to defend himself before sneering. Almost insulted Renfield is suggesting Dracula drag him into serving and manipulating him before turning it into a grin. Ready to throw Renfield's words back in his face.

In the gym surrounded by the group, Dracula is disgusted. He can't believe his servant would willing choose to surround himself groveling with other human beings. Despite everything he's offered him, Renfield still tells him he is human, and he belongs with humans. Even as Dracula describes humanity as pathetic and desperate.

Bonus gif of sad eyed Dracula.

I will die on this hill that Dracula had no reason to put on the teary eyed puppy look on Teddy's behalf. The guy was already scared shitless, he could have easily threatened him or hook him in with the promise of power.

No, he was genuinely hurt by Renfield's betrayal, which makes his rage infused outburst at Renfield for even suggesting anything he could do would hurt him all the more compelling.

#renfield #dracula #renfield 2023 #renfield movie #renfield dracula #dracfield #nicolas cage #feel free to discuss #talk about it #horror film gifs

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mrmcman · 2 months

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Decided to build off of my last poll with this one, but they won’t be fighting this time

#feel free to discuss #and by feel free I mean PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE #…#pretty please?#also is the vanilla extract meme dead? I hope not #vanilla extract #biograft phighting #ultrakill #phighting!#v1 ultrakill #polls

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a-weird-cryptid · 1 year

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I think we, as a community, should start to reclaim the word "queer" as an umbrella term for us, instead of adding letters to "LGBT".

Why? Because let's be honest, that letter soup is starting to get ridiculous. I can't be the only one who doesn't like to say every single letter of "LGBTQIAP+" when talking about my community.

It not only sounds extremely weird, but it's also getting harder to say. Plus this term makes us seem even more like "just special snowflakes and attention seekers" in the eyes of homophobic, transphobic, etc, people.

Don't get me wrong, I understand the idea behind it. With every letter standing for another sexuality, gender, or similar.

But calling out those specific ones, makes it look like any people who don't fall under those letters aren't worth representing. What about genderfluid or non-binary people for example?

We could argue for hours about that, but it just shows one of many problems this letter soup has. You'll NEVER be able to represent all by adding more and more letters.

Because something as complex as sexuality, gender and sex are not just a "rainbow spectrum" that goes from violet to red and that's it. And even if that was the case, they're still hundreds of different shades, that are too complex to really categorize. It's the reason we have so incredibly many labels in the first place.

I like to imagine queerness always starting with a "rainbow spectrum", (seeing it as the general direction you're taking, for example with homosexual represented by red) with all the different shades of the color, of the color you're choosing, being a more specific label under the umbrella term (for example a shade of "light pink" standing for lesbian).

I know that the word "queer" was used as a slur against us at some point. Coming from the German word "quer", which can bei used in German slang for "weird", "odd", "strange" or simply "out of the ordinary". Take the German word "Querdenker" for example, in English meaning "lateral thinker", aka someone who uses an unusual way of thinking to solve a problem.

But words can only have the meaning that we give it. Words can only have as much power as we give it. And on top of that, words, just like symbols, can change their meanings over time.

An example I really like to take for that, correct me if I'm wrong, is the word "punk" which was and still is used in a bunch of different contexts. Often as an insult, or a slur towards people who didn't/don't fit the norm. But now the day it's rather associated with positive things, such as music and a rebellious style choice.

So why shouldn't we reclaim the word "queer" as well? Why shouldn't we tell those homophobic, transphobic, etc people "Yes, we are not like you. Yes, we are different. Yes, we are 'quer'. But we're proud to be this way!" ?

Why shouldn't we show those people that they can't use the word "queer" as a slur against us anymore? Why shouldn't we attack them with their own weapons, using their own vocabulary against them?

It's so much more inclusive than "LGBTQIAP+" or "LGBTQIA+" could ever be. Plus it's something our community has identified with for decates, even if it's just subconsciously. Take "genderqueer" for example. "Queer" is even in the letter soup, the letter "Q" standing for it.

What do you guys think? And what's your opinion about this topic? I'd love to hear your thoughts! Especially if you're part of this colorful community!

For more discussions, reviews as well as other original stories and more, check out my master list of series.

#please tell me I'm not the only one who thinks like that #unpopular opinion #queer stuff #queer #queer history #queer community #lgbtq #lgbtqia+#lgbt representation #random thought #discussion #feel free to discuss #gay #lesbian #asexual #bisexual #pansexual

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pastelchad · 1 year

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SIHJR characters rated from most to least likely to win in a fight:

1. Nowaki - Gentle giant but can and will curb stomp anyone if pushed far enough. Your only chance if you make him angry is to start running

2. Shinobu - Will throw hands at the slightest provocation and win

3. Ritsu - Canon! A very sweet and kind man but isnt afraid to kick ass if he has to, and he absolutely will. Just ask Takano

4. Usagi - When you're as isolated and pretty as young Akihiko was, you gotta learn how to fight just to keep yourself safe. So ya he can fight but it's sad :(

5. Yukina - Is too nice to start a fight but not too nice to end it

6. Kirishima - His reaction to finding out that his wife was pregnant was to enroll in martial arts classes bc hes a dork

7. Kisa - Another canon ass-whooper. Learned how to fight from beating up perverts who groped him on the train on the way to school

8. Hatori - Average fighter but something is deeply wrong w him please dont fight him

9. Miyagi - Was scrappy in his youth and can still knock someone around if he had to but not as effectively due to the years of chain smoking and angsting

10. Hiroki - Has absolutely no technique and relies on blind rage in a fight. 50/50 on whether he'll win or lose

11. Asahina - Was in the karate club in high school or something idk. Another 50/50 shot

12. Isaka - We're getting into 40/60 territory now. Works out sometimes but has never fought before so who knows

13. Yokozawa - Talks a big game and is pretty strong but doesn't know how to throw a punch. Relies on his resting bitch face. 40/60

14. Chiaki - Were starting to get into Little Bitch territory now. Pretty weak from years spending most of his time indoors but can throw a pretty good adrenaline fueled punch (poor Yuu 🥺)

15. Takano - His physique is intimidating but it's a scam. The abs are from years of crying so hard no sound comes out until he falls asleep and the biceps are just masturbation muscle. Punch him and hell probably cry and ask why you did that

16. Misaki - Sweet baby angel who wouldn't hurt a fly. Weighs 80 lbs. Will fall over if you push him. Please dont fight him. You'll win but at what cost

#sekaiichi hatsukoi #junjou romantica #im not tagging all of them #feel free to discuss

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littlefabala · 4 months

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Elphaba Thropp - Daughter of Athena - Cabin 6

#In honor of Percy Jackson's TV series #I will be posting the cabin (in my opinion) of some characters #If you don't agree with me #feel free to discuss #percy jackson #cabin 6 #atena #elphaba thropp #wicked #wicked book #wicked the musical

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chuck-ridderodder · 8 months

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Primary thoughts on The Left Hand of Darkness

I've just finished Ursula K. Le Guin's The Left Hand of Darkness, which if you haven't read, I believe a spoiler alert is in order for this post.

After reading The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas and subsequently devouring the Earthsea Cycle, I have become an avid fan of Le Guin's work, both in fantasy and science fiction. Though I can't help but feel as if I am somehow late to the party in that regard.

This is not to be a full review of The Left Hand of Darkness, as I do believe in letting a book percolate on the brain before passing judgment; however, I do want to share some immediate thoughts.

By God, she can paint a whole society in few strokes. Both Karhide and Orgoreyn are as vivid to me as Venice or Austria (places I have yet to see, but have been related to me by friends and/or acquaintances). Grand cities, quiet villages, and the icy cold of the Gobrin Glacier are impressed upon the reader with the lightest of touches, never breaking the illusion and serving the characters as vivid backgrounds.

I found chapters 15-19 of particular interest. The rythym of the story seemed to change here, and Le Guin takes her time letting Estraven and Genly Ai crawl towards Karhide across the bitter wilderness. The time stretches for the reader as well as the characters, some scenes being repeated from both perspectives.

I believe in these chapters we are more dialed in to the characters' thoughts and feelings, peering closer and closer into the nature of their relationship during their journey. They formed a habit, a routine, monotonous and yet comforting in the simplicity of their mission.

Genly Ai describes how he feels about that time in this passage from the beginning of chapter 18:

"We are inside, the two of us, in shelter, at rest, at the center of all things. Outside, as always, lies the great darkness, the cold, death's solitude. In such fortunate moments as I fall asleep I know beyond doubt what the real center of my own life is, that time which is past and lost and yet is permanent, the enduring moment, the heart of warmth. I am not trying to say that I was happy, during those weeks of hauling a sledge across an ice-sheet in the dead of winter. I was hungry, overstrained, an often anxious, and it all got worse the longer it went on. I certainly wasn't happy. Happiness has to do with reason, and only reason earns it. What I was given was the thing you can't earn, and can't keep and often don't even recognize at the time; I mean joy."

Joy. Despite the pain, cold, and weariness Genly Ai describes a feeling of joy. What is the source of this joy? He doesn't exactly say. He deems this period in his life as the center, a theme that comes up in earlier chapters dealing with Gethenian mythos. The center of ones life, the center of time, etc.

Just before being rescued by Estraven he is trapped in a work/death camp in Orgoreyn, which he will surely remember as the worst time of his life, the most miserable. That is not deemed the center, or the most important. It's the warmth of the tent, the seclusion on the ice, and the forging of the companion-bond between he and his companion that Genly Ai cites as the center. A bond that is quickly (spoiler) broken when Estraven dies.

They are not romantically involved, nor sexually. They just work together, they survive together.

I think that extreme of a situation is not one that is easily come by for any reader. However, at least for myself there are a few memories that I could deem the "center" of my life as it stands today. These memories somewhat echo the experiences of Genly Ai and Estraven. One in particular was an afternoon spent alone with a friend before we parted after graduating from university. We cried, and lay in the sun in my empty dorm room until the sun drifted towards the horizon. I felt an intense bond to this person, and even today can picture that tiny room, the sunlight through the window, and the color of their eyes. I felt (at the time) that I was in the center of time. The center of my life.

In some later passages Genly Ai recalls specific details about Estraven's hair, or the smell of the tent that feel oddly familiar to how I experience memories that I've carried with me. Maybe I don't recall the conversations, but I'll remember certain details forever.

I'm not exactly sure how the comments/messages works on Tumblr.com yet, but please let me know your thoughts if you have any differing opinions or notes. I would love to discuss this book! Again, it's quite fresh to me so I am still settling on my opinions etc.

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