Lacuna Rambles/Thoughts/Gif Reacts #3: A Literary Link
Added 2023-08-29 12:30:01 +0000 UTC
[Alternate Text: A gif from the movie "Easy A". It features Emma Stone's Character, Olive, making a mocking kissy face as she walks through the halls of her high school. The shot then cuts to her lace top that has a red 'A' sown onto it, focusing on the addition she's added to make a point.]
I'm curious if any of you have have read the Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne? It could have possibly been an assigned reading for you in school or a title you have heard of as a potential 'classic'. It's so old that I don't believe I'm actually spoiling it, but there's a subtle link between it and something in Chapter 7 of Book One. Specifically, what can happen in the Fernweh Diner!
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Password: pearl
Comments
You're welcome. You're right-up up my alley in mythology (and Supernatural/ Theological) lore. ๐
Mo
2023-08-31 23:40:31 +0000 UTCLol, I agree that it does! ๐ I wish our teacher let us watch the movie; I did watch 'Easy A', but it has a very different vibe than Hawthorne's book. XD I enjoyed his writings though.ย Thank you for what you said about the detail. ๐ I love that you thought of the Scarlet Letter while reading TFS; I was secretly hoping the placement of the 'A' might seem intriguing enough to make readers make the connection or at least wonder if there was a deeper meaning. It's awesome to know that you picked up on this detail!
Aelsa Trevelyan
2023-08-31 23:20:35 +0000 UTCI heard the 'Mal knows' with a certain foreboding while reading your comment, which I adore! ๐ Perhaps, there is a reason why Mal seems so aware of everything. I'm excited for you to build on your theories as we learn more about our favorite enigmatic server. It's encouraging to me while I write about the lore and start laying in more hints, so thank you for brightening my day! ๐ฅฐ๐
Aelsa Trevelyan
2023-08-31 23:20:13 +0000 UTCWell, I said /I/ wasn't calling the MC out, but who knows what Mal's doing? ๐ (Yes, it's a little bit of a call out (๐), possibly even a silent challenge, given how boldly Mal chooses to present the drink to the MC and triggers an exchange with the RO across all of the routes. They didn't have to do it like that. What you said about the character placement has caught my eye, but I can't say too much due to spoilers. There is one spicy post that might make your head turn though.) I really like this perspective/take! It reminds me of what I mentioned about how most people tend to look at it from the other RO's POV as opposed to Mal's. 'No one ever talks about this, but what if you DON'T choose Mal at the end? ๐๐๐' Yes, these emojis perfectly fit with what could happen, and yes, it can be more dramatic than in the Scarlet Letter. It's... it's, uhm, it's actually tragic at its core. Also, I do agree that you make a great parallel between the mention of groupthink and that united town mentality in Hawthorne's writing mirroring how the townsfolk behave in TFS, especially in regards to Marjorie. It can become an unsaid thing among them all that can destroy someone's life. She has actually suffered more than most readers realize; we get a hint in Chapter 1. I mean, yes, she is kind of mean to B (not really malicious), but ugh, I have feelings on this.
Aelsa Trevelyan
2023-08-31 23:19:21 +0000 UTCMal would angle their face to ensure that you don't leave a sliver of skin unattended. They would be looking you dead in the eye during it all too. (Also, the red heart stickers would earn a grin from them. ๐)
Aelsa Trevelyan
2023-08-31 23:18:41 +0000 UTCNo worries! I enjoyed reading your post, especially the connection you made about middle initials being personal to people. I don't think it's odd; I agree with you. I've also felt that sharing your middle name can be a sign of trust since most people will only know you by your first and last name. This fits so well with Mal! We know from the first book that they like to maintain a mysterious aura and will make the MC 'collect' the letters of their nickname. It's even more secretive than a middle initial, and I think it shows how Mal is intentionally so sparing about giving personal information. This is why the MC is truly a special case to have even the /opportunity/ to get closer to them while within Fernweh. ๐ฒ Thank you for your comment. It made me think more about Mal! ๐
Aelsa Trevelyan
2023-08-31 23:18:16 +0000 UTCI'm a rambler at heart, so you and I will be a united geyser of thoughts. :D You have a very solid read of Mal, which I know can be difficult to settle on, since they are a hard character to pin down even while I'm writing--/crafting/--their dialogue. A lot has gone into shaping them as a person. I love that you can sense the glimpses of genuine emotion beneath their air of mystery; I have some readers who question if it's duplicitousness, while others see a rare vulnerability. "Mal keeps trying to gauge interest and reactions in a hundred million ways, and they somehow seem open and reluctant at the same time." *This is one of my favorite parts of what you typed! ๐ฅฐ The reference to the Scarlet Letter sparking new theories surrounding Mal's romantic past is what I was hoping for. I wonder if something happened that left a lasting mark on how they now treat those they love. We will have to slowly peel back their mystery, and it's motivating to me that you'll be eagerly awaiting each shred of information Mal feels safe to reveal. Some might be through your MC's choices, while others bits can only be earned (emphasis on earned) by Mal rewarding you with more.
Aelsa Trevelyan
2023-08-31 23:17:55 +0000 UTCOhmygosh, I love that you have tattoos taken from Melville's works. I noticed the Playstation one from your icon and was mentally like :handshake: emoji, but this is another level--next level. ๐ I was lowkey worried about how this post would go over, so it's truly amazing to see that TFS readers are curious about the reference or have a personal link to Hawthorne's works/the genre itself. :D I wondered if the letter itself along with the placement would catch anyone's eye. You're asking all of the right questions, and it pains me not to elaborate on how I've worked the parallels into TFS, oof. The element of the other party thought to be dead--that element of slight misinformation or lack of information--does come into play in Fernweh. I've seen you and CKL remark on the MC's time away from town, which is a solid starting point. It's fair to say that the 'indiscretion' is a function of not knowing something rather than purposeful intent, but what follows that act is where the true guilt and consequences can set in. ๐ (Basically, how Dimmesdale handled things was more repercussive, imo.) Also, there is actually a secret pain involved in this dynamic, although it's extremely well-masked, rn. I can't say too much. I love your thoughts though!ย ๐ญ๐
Aelsa Trevelyan
2023-08-31 23:17:26 +0000 UTCI misread the title as "literary kink" and now reading it, it actually fits :D I had to read that book in school, we actually watched the movie too. I actually thought about the scarlet letter when reading that, but seeing it mentioned makes me feel way better about it. Nice detail.
kerrigan
2023-08-30 16:40:16 +0000 UTCSo much to think about. The possibilities!!! The AUs!!! LOL. What if Marjorie is Hester and Mal is Pearl? Plot twist!
dasburnfrau
2023-08-30 12:51:08 +0000 UTCOh, I wrote my post with the view that MC is Dimmesdale, not Chillingsworth. I see a parallel there in that MC so far spends time openly with the main 4 ROs and the flirtations with Mal have a more secretive nature. So the secret feelings that exist between Mal (Hester) and the MC (Dimmesdale) is the 'scarlet A' as MC is pulled in different directions. I also feel that although Mal wants the MC intensely that he/she would never "out" their fledging relationship to the other ROs but would keep MC's secret. So, it's on MC eventually to take that step to "confess" the secret scarlet A they are carrying close to their heart. Or at least tell the other RO there is someone else in the running before things progress too far... ALSO, MAYBE A CORVIN IS PEARL LOL
ckl
2023-08-30 02:00:22 +0000 UTCOr is he Pearl? :p
dasburnfrau
2023-08-30 00:51:15 +0000 UTCI think he IS the one who has had to wear the letter, especially if MC is Chillingsworth. MC left, presumably never to return. We haven't seen Mal interact with people (except for A) outside of a service role...almost like he's worthy of making them beautiful clothing but not being part of their society. He is also the only one we have seen be courteous to Marjorie.
dasburnfrau
2023-08-30 00:49:28 +0000 UTCMal knows. He knows. ๐คซ But maybe, just maybe its because of what he ...๐ฌ๐ Oh I have my suspicions on what AND WHO he is. Though I'll keep them quiet in the comments. I can't wait find out the truth. โค๏ธ
Mo
2023-08-29 15:17:36 +0000 UTCbtw I did read The Scarlet Letter for school, we had to analyze the themes. it's been a while but I remember enjoying the reading, but I also enjoyed more than hated the assigned high school classics
ckl
2023-08-29 14:31:16 +0000 UTCOkay wait wait wait, are you sure it's not a call out? It could be a little bit of a call out. In the novel Hester wears the A with a quiet dignity and refuses to divulge the name of her lover. While it's Dimmesdale who avoids the towns' judgement and becomes ill with guilt and cowardice, he bears his scarlet A on his chest unseen. Maybe Mal is waiting for the MC to one day stand in public and declare their love for Mal? (Without the dying I hope.) No one ever talks about this, but what if you DON'T choose Mal at the end? ๐๐๐Unrelated to the A but this heavily reminds me of the town mentality of shunning Marjorie and hardly acknowledging B. Group think, following the crowd and tradition are Big in Fernweh
ckl
2023-08-29 14:26:45 +0000 UTCi haveโฆso many thoughts and i cannot gather them properly but i am rotating Mal around in my mind and putting red heart stickers all over them and leaving kiss marks on their face
Kelsey Lee
2023-08-29 14:03:50 +0000 UTCIโve never read the book so I never knew about that but Iโve always had this thought that if someone gives you their initial it could be dating or a very close friend even a family member and you wear the that letter be it a necklace or tattoo they sort of have a piece of you it sounds very odd Iโm sure but if they take place in your mind or through the other means then they claim a part of you and if the letter is bright say red itโs vibrant and in your face other people notice it lol sorry for the long thought process I saw the post and my brain went crazy I also apologise for no punctuation or spelling mistakes as Iโm dyslexic ๐๐๐ฒ
Stacey O'Brien
2023-08-29 13:40:54 +0000 UTCOkay okay okay, this triggered the gusher inside of me and nothing can stop the flood; here it comes. So a huge part of why I like Mal so much is that there seems to be genuine emotion behind their mysterious, elusive attitude, and I think there's much more to it than Mal just wanting to be a prick and seem cool. (Tho that might factor into it lmao ๐) That's something about their character I truly adore, btw---- they don't keep the MC away, but they are so, SO cautious, aren't they? Mal keeps trying to gauge interest and reactions in a hundred million ways, and they somehow seem open and reluctant at the same time. The Scarlet Letter ref makes me wonder a lot about their past, their romantic past in particular. To be precise, I suspect they used to be "someone's secret" before...? I just know I won't stop thinking about this until it's resolved lol โค๏ธ great, great job
LJ
2023-08-29 12:57:15 +0000 UTCOk, no, see...American Romanticism is my JAM. Like I have Herman Melville quotes tattooed on my body. Hawthorne is hands down my favorite author of all time. The Minister's Black Veil??? Young Goodman Brown. THE MAY-POLE OF MERRY MOUNT????? I WONDERED ABOUT THAT PARTICULAR LETTER BEING THERE. Also ALSO -- does this mean I should also consider the fact that the "indiscretion" occurred when Chillingsworth was thought to be dead?? I mean that's like the whole thing. And of course gone for a long time out of the small town sounds kind of similar here. Or is it worth revisiting what was happening to the other party in said indiscretion???? The hidden mark? The secret pain? This actually scares me to think about, so I'm not gonna...think about that part. Who is Pearl in this scenario? Beautiful little Pearl with her fanciful dresses. Listen. No, listen. I need...I gotta talk to someone about this.
dasburnfrau
2023-08-29 12:49:08 +0000 UTC
