Of Monsters and Madness
2014
Jessica Verday
Verday is the New York Times best-selling author for the book series The Hollow. Her short stories have been featured in The First Time anthology.
Quotes from the Text
" 'Women do not now, nor will they ever, have place practicing medicine. Can you imagine? A woman doctor?' Father's revulsion turns to anger." (46)
- This shows how women were looked at in the eyes of the public back in this time.
"Father beseeches me, ' I may have failed at finding a cure for Typhus, but I created something even more powerful! The ability to separate good and evil. Just think of the possibilities. This serum can erase man's imperfections.' " (255)
- This is a look into hobbies of some people, and how experimentation was a practice of many.
"Her eyes trace the grotesque patchwork covering the upper part of my chest and neck. Although I have not looked at them in years, I know the scars are still dark and ugly as the first time I saw them" (193)
- This symbolizes the insecurities they faced then and the ones we still face today, relating their time to ours.
The Conflict
What made this story interesting?
While walking through the house in the middle of the night trying to catch a glimpse of some foul deal between her father, Annabelle discovers a magnificent library. She said it was stacked with every book you could think of. She wanders her way to a back corner where she finds an array of books with weird and mysterious experiments written inside of them. Whilst looking, a man appears. She cannot see if it's her father or not, spoiler, it's not.
As Annabelle walks into the dimly lit room, Edgar pushed the door shut behind her. He then shoved her backwards, curling his fingers into the collar of her cloak. He then held her in the air against the wall. He then says "Its my best work yet, although rather messy. Don't you think?" She begs for him to let her go, and she just wants it all to come to an end.
Historical References
Another reference was how gender roles were very prevalent and alive during that time.
Also, showed the beliefs and systems of the new colonization set up in America, and how different it was from other countries.