I haven't read Ovid's "Metamorphoses" but assumed it was no coincidence that Andre nicknamed Gillian Philomela when their relationship eventually ran such a strong parallel to the story.
It was interesting to me how Gillian cuts her hair at the end - it seemed a parallel to Philomela's tongue. And Gillian's thoughts when Andre sees her shorn head: "I'm no silly little girl, am I, to be predicted."
It reminded me of when she noted that "mute Philomela [was] no passive victim."
Oh, that's interesting, Shanxi. I had thought about if the magazines were the equivalent of the cutting of the tongue. You know, that finding those sort of silenced Gillian because they caused her shame and/or fear of appearing in them herself, so she couldn't turn the Harrows in or anything like that. And that's why she figured they wouldn't care that she found them, because they knew she would feel like a cowed victim without the resources to fight back.
I don't know what to make of the cutting of the hair, Shanxi, so that's interesting.
Yes, great observation, Shanxi. I hadn't thought of that either, but it makes sense. Cutting her hair gives her a new identity. And her ponytail burns in the fire, doesn't it?
Yes, I thought so too. Great observation, cl!
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting to me how Gillian cuts her hair at the end - it seemed a parallel to Philomela's tongue. And Gillian's thoughts when Andre sees her shorn head: "I'm no silly little girl, am I, to be predicted."
It reminded me of when she noted that "mute Philomela [was] no passive victim."
Oh, that's interesting, Shanxi. I had thought about if the magazines were the equivalent of the cutting of the tongue. You know, that finding those sort of silenced Gillian because they caused her shame and/or fear of appearing in them herself, so she couldn't turn the Harrows in or anything like that. And that's why she figured they wouldn't care that she found them, because they knew she would feel like a cowed victim without the resources to fight back.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what to make of the cutting of the hair, Shanxi, so that's interesting.
Yes, great observation, Shanxi. I hadn't thought of that either, but it makes sense. Cutting her hair gives her a new identity. And her ponytail burns in the fire, doesn't it?
ReplyDelete