Tag Archives: Essay

The Color of Magic: An Introduction to Sir Terry Pratchett’s Discworld

Most everyone who has read the Discworld series by Sir Terry Pratchett advises not to start with The Color of Magic. Terry himself said this book was “written in protest” about a genre that he loved, but contained “too many dark lords, too much lack of thought”.  My fatal flaw is that I’m stubborn, soContinue reading “The Color of Magic: An Introduction to Sir Terry Pratchett’s Discworld”

The Garden of Earthly Delights: an ineffable SXSW experience

The apocalypse started in Austin not with a bang, but with a wine dispensing tree. The Garden of Earthly Delights, a SXSW activation, kicked off the end of days with an out of this world celebration of Amazon Prime’s “Good Omens” – a series based on Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett’s 1990 novel “Good Omens:Continue reading “The Garden of Earthly Delights: an ineffable SXSW experience”

Bolshoi Adaptation of Cinderella

Countless adaptations of Cinderella have graced the Russian stage, but the 1992 Maksimova-Vasiliev production provides an interesting structuralist approach. The departures the ballet makes from the Russian tale The Golden Slipper gives Cinderella more agency as a female character. In addition to changes in the basic plot, the characteristics of ballet as a form ofContinue reading “Bolshoi Adaptation of Cinderella”

A Gentleman’s Guide to Gothic Theatre

Dark humor is uniquely honed in Robert L. Freedman’s A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, a Broadway musical whose satire drips as thick and as freely as the blood spilled by Monty Navarro, Ninth Earl of Highhurst. The musical numbers alongside the comedic, and quintessentially gothic, narrative structure of the plot develop the performanceContinue reading “A Gentleman’s Guide to Gothic Theatre”

The Role of Dreams and Magic in a Developing Christian Society

Known as an outlaw, Gisli Sursson’s societal position in the eyes of the law influence the role of magic in his saga. His given outlaw status shifts the type of magic he practices from prophetic to nightly torment from the dream women. In using the reoccurring dream women as a conduit, Gisli Sursson’s dreams shiftContinue reading “The Role of Dreams and Magic in a Developing Christian Society”

Devil in the Details: Consumerism in Southern Gothic

Flannery O’Connor’s short story “A Good Man is Hard to Find” operates under the genre of Southern Gothic. While traditional gory Gothic themes are understated in her work, Gothic elements such as architecture and the sublime remain ever present and pervasive. Set during a time after the Civil War, the role of consumerism and oldContinue reading “Devil in the Details: Consumerism in Southern Gothic”

Metatheatricality in “The Importance of Being Earnest”

The Importance of Metatheatricality The metatheatricality of The Importance of Being Earnest constantly establishes and tests the societal norms of Victorian England. Oscar Wilde’s hides societal satire beneath an aesthetic façade characterized by hilarity and romance. In this theatrical piece, Wilde’s witty and vivid characters push their assigned roles in a manner reminiscent of hisContinue reading “Metatheatricality in “The Importance of Being Earnest””

Adventures in Reading Goldman

William Goldman’s Adventures in the Screen Trade promised a look into the secret inner workings of the film and screenwriting industry. This Hollywood exposé, published in April of 1984, is subdivided into four parts, with the latter two sections dedicated to the act of screenwriting. Unfortunately, Goldman’s simplistic and conceited tone left me feeling underwhelmedContinue reading “Adventures in Reading Goldman”