“When she had arranged her household affairs, she came to the library and bade me follow her. Then, with the mirror still swinging against her knees, she led me through the garden and the wilderness down to a misty wood. It being autumn, the trees were tinted gloriously in dusky bars of colouring. The rowan, with his amber leaves and scarlet berries, stood before the brown black-spotted sycamore; the silver beech flaunted his golden coins against my poverty; firs, green and fawn-hued, slumbered in hazy gossamer. No bird carolled, although the sun was hot. Marina noted the absence of sound, and without prelude of any kind began to sing from the ballad of the Witch Mother: about the nine enchanted knots, and the trouble-comb in the lady's knotted hair, and the master-kid that ran beneath her couch. Every drop of my blood froze in dread, for whilst she sang her face took on the majesty of one who traffics with infernal powers. As the shade of the trees fell over her, and we passed intermittently out of the light, I saw that her eyes glittered like rings of sapphires.("The Basilisk")”
Quote Analysis
In this quote from "The Basilisk" by R. Murray Gilchrist, the narrator describes a chilling encounter with a mysterious woman named Marina. As they walk through the garden and into a misty wood, Marina's singing of a haunting ballad about a Witch Mother invokes a sense of dread in the narrator. The vivid descriptions of the autumn landscape and Marina's transformation into a figure with "the majesty of one who traffics with infernal powers" create a chilling atmosphere, leaving the narrator feeling frozen in fear and awe. The imagery of Marina's eyes glittering like sapphires adds to the eerie and otherworldly aura of the scene. This quote effectively conveys the sense of supernatural and sinister elements at play in the story.
Modern Relevance
The eerie and mystical atmosphere described in this passage from "The Basilisk" by R. Murray Gilchrist still holds relevance today in our fascination with the supernatural and occult. The imagery of the autumn trees, the mysterious singing, and the transformation of the character Marina all create a sense of foreboding and mystery that captures readers' imaginations. This excerpt serves as a reminder of the enduring appeal of dark and magical themes in literature and popular culture.
Example of Usage:
"When she had arranged her household affairs, she came to the library and bade me follow her. Then, with the mirror still swinging against her knees, she led me through the garden and the wilderness down to a misty wood. It being autumn, the trees were tinted gloriously in dusky bars of colouring. The rowan, with his amber leaves and scarlet berries, stood before the brown black-spotted sycamore; the silver beech flaunted his golden coins against my poverty; firs, green and fawn-hued, slumbered in hazy gossamer. No bird carolled, although the sun was hot. Marina noted the absence of sound, and without prelude of any kind began to sing from the ballad of the Witch Mother: about the nine enchanted knots, and the trouble-comb in the lady's knotted hair, and the master-kid that ran beneath her couch. Every drop of my blood froze in dread, for whilst she sang her face took on the majesty of one who traffics with infernal powers. As the shade of the trees fell over her, and we passed intermittently out of the light, I saw that her eyes glittered like rings of sapphires.("The Basilisk")” - R. Murray Gilchrist".
Reflection Questions:
Upon reading the passage from "The Basilisk" by R. Murray Gilchrist, consider the following questions to delve deeper into the themes and imagery presented:
- How does the setting of the misty wood and the autumnal colors contribute to the eerie atmosphere of the passage?
- In what ways does Marina's singing of the ballad of the Witch Mother foreshadow events to come in the story?
- What role does the mirror swinging against Marina's knees play in the scene? How does it add to the sense of unease?
- Explore the symbolism of the different trees mentioned in the passage - the rowan, the sycamore, the silver beech, and the firs. How do they reflect Marina's character or the overall mood of the scene?
- Reflect on the description of Marina's transformation as she sings, particularly her eyes that glitter like sapphires. What might this imagery symbolize in the context of the story?
These reflection questions can help you analyze and interpret the text more deeply, uncovering hidden meanings and nuances within the passage. Happy reflecting!
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