The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2

by Beth Brower

It was all very Pyramus and Thisbe.

Pyramus and Thisbe are a pair of Babylonian lovers from a well-known tale, often cited as a source of inspiration for Romeo and Juliet. Their story, rooted in Greek mythology, details a forbidden love and a tragic demise, all due to a misunderstanding. They find a way to communicate through a crack in the wall separating their houses, whispering their love and frustration.

“You could find a rich man who owns a house by the sea,” she proposed, lounging on her settee, the queen of her domain with a solution for every problem. “That would be a lovely life for you.”

Foreshadowing?

“Anyone who thinks Potiphar’s wife was a good idea has proven himself to be of no sense whatsoever. They can have another attempt at Christianity next week.”

Zuleikha is a figure in the Hebrew Bible and the Quran. She was the wife of Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh's guard in the time of Jacob and his twelve sons. According to the Book of Genesis, she falsely accused Joseph of attempted rape after he rejected her sexual advances, resulting in his imprisonment.

moving in his dark, Byronic attitude.

characteristic of Lord Byron or his poetry. *alluringly dark, mysterious, and moody (typically used of a man).

“Philistine.”

phil·is·tine /ˈfiləˌstēn,ˈfiləˌstīn/ noun a person who is hostile or indifferent to culture and the arts, or who has no understanding of them.

Prepare yourself. I shall.

In Jane Eyre, Dr. Rivers tells Jane, "Yes, you do, Jane. In your heart, you know perfectly well. Your duty is to prepare yourself to do God's work in the world." This quote encourages Jane to embrace her potential and prepare herself for a life of service, rather than focusing on her past and social standing.

‘The man of war will end this house.’

Obviously foreshadowing. I wonder what he means by “end this house”. Literally? Possibly. Maybe something happens and the house is burned down? More likely figuratively. I think whenever Pierce moves out, so might Emma, though I can’t imagine what circumstance would cause her to leave Lapis Lazuli. Then again, this could be a red herring and Pierce is not the “man of war” at all. That said, this does make me believe that Emma will eventually no longer live in Lapis Lazuli.

The countryside in June is rather glorious. There is something about all that green, as seen through the glass window of a train, that makes one feel as if they were the character in a book. Mine would be a tragic comedy.

Probably just self deprecating humor, but maybe foreshadowing? I hope Emma’s story doesn’t turn into a tragedy…