In this quote by Peter S. Beagle, the imagery of "honey and gunpowder" is used to describe the impact of the woman's voice. The use of contrasting elements like sweetness and danger creates a vivid depiction of her powerful and intoxicating presence. Just like honey can be both alluring and comforting, and gunpowder can be both explosive and unpredictable, her voice captivates and intrigues those who hear it. This juxtaposition of flavors suggests that there is an intriguing complexity to her character that draws people in. The quote effectively conveys the idea that the woman's voice is both sweet and powerful, leaving a lasting impression on those who experience it.
In Peter S. Beagle's quote, "Her voice left a flavor of honey and gunpowder on the air," the juxtaposition of sweetness and danger captures the essence of a truly captivating speaker. This vivid imagery reminds us of the lasting impact that powerful and memorable voices can have in our lives. Today, in a world filled with constant noise and distractions, the ability to command attention with words that are both alluring and impactful remains as relevant as ever.
In this quote, Peter S. Beagle beautifully describes the captivating and intense nature of someone's voice. The juxtaposition of the sweetness of honey with the sharpness of gunpowder creates a vivid and intriguing image in the reader's mind. This phrase showcases Beagle's skill in creating evocative and memorable descriptions.
When you read this quote by Peter S. Beagle, what emotions or images does it evoke in your mind?
In what ways do you interpret the juxtaposition of "honey" and "gunpowder" in relation to the character's voice?
How do you think the combination of sweetness and danger reflected in the quote contributes to the overall tone or atmosphere of the writing?
“It was not her dream that chilled him, but that she did not weep as she told it. As a hero, he understood weeping women and knew how to make them stop crying--generally you killed something--but her calm terror confused and unmanned him, while the shape of her face crumbled the distant dignity he had been so pleased at maintaining. When he spoke again, his voice was young and stumbling.”
“No," he repeated, and this time the word tolled in another voice, a king's voice... whose grief was not for what he did not have, but for what he could not give.”
“I know why you did it too. You can't become mortal yourself until you change her back again. Isn't that it? You don't care what happens to her, or to the others, just as long as you become a real magician, even if you change the Bull into a bullfrog, because it's still just a trick when you do it. You don't care about anything but magic, and what kind of magician is that? Schmendrick, I don't feel good. I have to sit down."Schmendrick must have carried her for a time, because she was definitely not walking and his green eyes were ringing in her head. "That's right. Nothing but magic matters to me. I would round up unicorns for Haggard myself if it would heighten my power but half a hair. It's true. I have no preferences and no loyalties. I have only magic." His voice was hard and sad."Really?" she asked, rocking dreamily in her terror, watching the brightness flowing by. "That's awful." She was very impressed. "Are you really like that?""No," he said, then or later. "No, it's not true. How could I be like that, and still have all these troubles?" Then he said, "Molly, you have to walk now.”
“But I felt them...hungry shadows who knew my name, clawing at my mind and my soul to be let in - and if I let them in there would be nothing left of me but skin; nothing but a shadow inside, like themselves. (By Moonlight)”
“The Lady Amalthea beckoned, and the cat wriggled all over, like a dog, but he would not come near... She was offering her open palm to the crook-eared cat, but he stayed where he was, shivering with the desire to go to her"...[later, Molly asked the cat] "Why were you afraid to let her touch you? I saw you. You were afraid of her.""If she had touched me," he said very softly, "I would have been hers and not my own, not ever again. I wanted her to touch me but I could not let her. No cat will... The price is more than a cat can pay.”
“It's really not so good to have time. Rush, scramble, desperation, this missed, that left behind, those others too big to fit into such a small space--that's the way life was meant to be. You're supposed to be too late for some things. Don't worry about it.”