Romantic

One of the lit crit terms on the HP final was "Romantic"--like the opposite of realism. But there is of course the other more common definition. Then one everybody thinks of--all drama and kissy-ing. That's the one we found on TMC; last night Izzy and I were both feeling a little soggy so we plopped on the sofa and surfed around till we found the middle half of (right when Cathy is insisting she has a brain despite her wardrobe) Wuthering Heights. That was a lovely surprise. Her responses to both Cathy and Isabella were refreshing. She decided that Heathcliff/Larry was "a little scary" and that he "looked like Matt D". This coming from a girl whose current obsession is Sweeny Todd*? Odd little bird. I don't think Matt D is scary at all, nor for that matter does he even resemble Olivier! So, we talked about romance/romantic and that led right into discussion of how fashion (of course--with her what isn't a direct lead to costume design?) can show a character's mood or what one wears projects about a person. We talked about ruffles and hoop skirts and how Nell wore very severe dark clothes while the "misses" were all taffeta and glowing light to project their youth and naiveté. The layers of ruffles and ribbons led us down path to thinking about a Maypole. I have always wanted to be in one of those ribbon twining circle dances, a VERY romanticized procedure--at least in my head. I found a piece by Nancy Sherer that has a couple of well crafted paragraphs that I would share.
She says:

"The May-pole is the most familiar feature of May festivities, but it has three distinct interpretations. In some cultures, the May-pole represented the world center, or alternately, the hub of the Wheel of heaven. In ancient times, the intricate dance of weaving cords around the pole was a magical attempt to direct Nature, which had become topsy-turvy over the course of time, back in order. Today the dance is performed by any who wish to participate in weaving the magic.

In other cultures, the May-pole was the Tree of Life, or a symbol of it. And this tree-- to borrow a phrase from Billy Holiday-- bore strange fruit. This is where the Savior was sacrificed in order to cleanse the earth. Holy Communion, eating his flesh and drinking his blood was possibly restricted to the priest class, but symbolic May Wine was liberally imbibed by the whole community. Hundreds of years later, the Christian lunar festival of Easter would replace the ancient solar festival as the time of renewal and rebirth."

Stacy said she was making Maywine for Scrabble tonight. COOL!! I'm gonna make VWbug cookies cuz..well my car is paid for!!!
If they turn out cute I'll take a picture. I also have to think of a dish to pass for Saturday--some kind of birthday Derby Day kinda gig...hmmmm think think think.





*
Later after dinner she watched the Daily Show DVR w/ John Waters. She also LOVES "Hairspray". It was quite a night for her.