We shall meet again (13 day challenge) 03
Alright so now that this has been posted by akavertigo, I guess it is once again my turn. Very well, I shall comply.
03 A woman cruel enough to lead a man to his grave
The first time Jareth sees her again is not through his own but through the eyes of one of her students. A soft spirit, full of adolescent dreams and the wish to have her pay attention to him alone just once. His name is Anthony. He has fallen in love with Ms. Williams, her long dark hair, vivid green eyes and her advanced literature class. Anthony yearns for her attention like a starved man, yearns for a chance to lock eyes with her.
Jareth grants his wish to the extent that he sees fit. He is, after all, notably generous and Anthony will surely not mind the price: letting a Goblin King speak through oneself to break and uphold the law at the same time… Anthony should not refuse.
‘The sorrows of Young Werther’ is stated in bold letters, stark white against the black board. Underneath, names are listed: ‘Werther’, ‘Charlotte’, ‘Albert’ and - to the far left of Werther ‘Wilhelm’. There are several adjectives listed under each name, meant to characterize.
“Would someone like to add something? Yes, Anthony?”
“Cruelty. For Lotte”, he says.
A doubtful glance. Something in Anthony cheers (Jareth knew it would) when she asks him to elaborate. Her gaze focuses on his and as long as they talk, it will not stray.
“She forces him to reveal all of himself, to show her his worst and his best. He shows her his passions, his errors - all of that. And she sits there, prettily, while he prances about without as much as a word of thanks, not even acknowledging him. And then, when he is already lying on the ground, defeated, she delivers the fatal blow and sends him those pistols, although she must have known what he was about to do. As if she condones it. It’s like having someone completely exhaust themselves to meet your expectations and then walk all over them. If that’s not cruel, then I don’t know what is.”
Sarah doesn’t respond, doesn’t even move a muscle. Her eyes wander to the black board, chalk in hand.
‘No, don’t look away. Look at me’, Anthony thinks.
‘Don’t you dare look away - look at me, Sarah!’ Jareth seethes.
“I don’t quite agree with your characterization, Anthony. Lotte does as she must - what she wants or wishes for is not of importance.”
Still, she adds ‘cruel’ to the adjectives describing the female lead character.
* * * * * *
I have to admit I don't know whether Sturm and Drang is a topic at American schools, but I had to read quite a lot of it, the book I abhored the most having been "The sorrows of Young Werther" so it is somewhat ironic that I am referring to this one (but that's also because I wouldn't have been able to pull it off with Gretchen in Faust). I liked the idea too much to pass up on, though.
Read me Sunday. ;)
03 A woman cruel enough to lead a man to his grave
The first time Jareth sees her again is not through his own but through the eyes of one of her students. A soft spirit, full of adolescent dreams and the wish to have her pay attention to him alone just once. His name is Anthony. He has fallen in love with Ms. Williams, her long dark hair, vivid green eyes and her advanced literature class. Anthony yearns for her attention like a starved man, yearns for a chance to lock eyes with her.
Jareth grants his wish to the extent that he sees fit. He is, after all, notably generous and Anthony will surely not mind the price: letting a Goblin King speak through oneself to break and uphold the law at the same time… Anthony should not refuse.
‘The sorrows of Young Werther’ is stated in bold letters, stark white against the black board. Underneath, names are listed: ‘Werther’, ‘Charlotte’, ‘Albert’ and - to the far left of Werther ‘Wilhelm’. There are several adjectives listed under each name, meant to characterize.
“Would someone like to add something? Yes, Anthony?”
“Cruelty. For Lotte”, he says.
A doubtful glance. Something in Anthony cheers (Jareth knew it would) when she asks him to elaborate. Her gaze focuses on his and as long as they talk, it will not stray.
“She forces him to reveal all of himself, to show her his worst and his best. He shows her his passions, his errors - all of that. And she sits there, prettily, while he prances about without as much as a word of thanks, not even acknowledging him. And then, when he is already lying on the ground, defeated, she delivers the fatal blow and sends him those pistols, although she must have known what he was about to do. As if she condones it. It’s like having someone completely exhaust themselves to meet your expectations and then walk all over them. If that’s not cruel, then I don’t know what is.”
Sarah doesn’t respond, doesn’t even move a muscle. Her eyes wander to the black board, chalk in hand.
‘No, don’t look away. Look at me’, Anthony thinks.
‘Don’t you dare look away - look at me, Sarah!’ Jareth seethes.
“I don’t quite agree with your characterization, Anthony. Lotte does as she must - what she wants or wishes for is not of importance.”
Still, she adds ‘cruel’ to the adjectives describing the female lead character.
* * * * * *
I have to admit I don't know whether Sturm and Drang is a topic at American schools, but I had to read quite a lot of it, the book I abhored the most having been "The sorrows of Young Werther" so it is somewhat ironic that I am referring to this one (but that's also because I wouldn't have been able to pull it off with Gretchen in Faust). I liked the idea too much to pass up on, though.
Read me Sunday. ;)