Alias Grace Notes 100 - Miss Guthrie's Webpage
Alias Grace Notes
These notes provide explain names, historical context, allusions, references, etc. in order to enhance your understanding of the novel Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood.
Be sure to consider various angles/ideas that might be relevant to our understanding of the reference, especially in light of the context.
1. Guenevere (Opening quotes) Queen - wife of King Arthur. She was abducted by King Melwas, and King Arthur spent a year searching before rescuing her. She is famous for her affair with Lancelot, which was said to be the ruin of King Arthur and his kingdom. Her character has been debated: she has been portrayed as both a strong and a weak woman.
2. Susanna Moodie (3)
3. Peonies (5) A Peony is a plant, that usually has a red, pink, or white flower, found commonly in Eastern Asia. It is also be a reference to a novel, Peony, by Pearl S. Buck about China's Jews. In Chinese art, the peony represents riches and honor, and in some other cultures it represents masculinity and a disregard for consequences.
4. Kingston Penitentiary (9) A federal correctional institution located in Kingston, ONtario. Opening in 1835, its purpose is to be a "humane, effective, and cost-effecient" means of serving criminal justice. It was the birthplace of Canadian Penal Press and was central in developing the first introduction of medical service into federal correctional facilities.
5. Puss in the Corner (17)-This could reference a poem in an issue of Harper's Magazine from 1860 about disillusionment of the cult of domesticity. The "puss in the corner" refers to a woman performing her traditional daily tasks, specifically sewing and cooking. The poem's ending, however, hints that the woman thinks subversively and that she will one day dominate the household as her husband currently does.
6. Emily Bronte’s “The Prisoner” (19) "The Prisoner" is a poem that was written by English novelist and poet Emily Bronte. It is a fragment of a larger Gondal poem that was revised by Bronte. The poem recalls the story of a woman prisoner that is in the gloom and despair of a dungeon, but still feels joy and hope at the arrival of a messenger. Bronte also focuses on the desolation the prisoner feels within her walls.
7. The Woman Question (22)- The woman question, as mentioned on page 22, probably refers to women's suffrage. It could also refer to land rights for women. In intellectual circles in the 1850s and 1860s often debated these topics, as did groups of educated women.
8. The Spiritualists (spiritualism) (22) A group of monotheists who believed they could communicate with spirits in the spirit world through certain "mediums". Usually its members were from the upper and middle classes with peak membership from the 1840's to the 1920's in mostly English speaking countries.
9. Lunatic Asylum in Toronto (24)- Opened in 1841, this insane asylum was temporarily located in old parliament buildings. However, it was later permanently located at 1001 Queen Street West. It has operated under numerous names, and until 1998, it was run by the Canadian government.
10. “rioting natives at Cawnpore” (24) This is a reference to the mutiny, which took place during the British occupation of India, in the year 1857. Under the leadership of Nana Sahib, local Indians attacked an unprepared British garrison sheltering men, women, and children. Under ambiguous circumstances, they brutally murdered 60 men and 210 women and children.This reference is made in the novel as an example of the horrors that may arise from being a missionary's wife in an "uncivilized" area.
11. Godey’s Ladies’ Book (24)- A magazine published in Philadelphia during the 1860's, and was popular with women. The magazine contained articles, poems, and engravings from prominent artists and writers from the time, and came out once a month. The magazine was published until 1898.
12. The Crystal Palace (27) A building that was erected in Hyde Park in London for the Great Exhibition of 1851. It was associated with the Industrial Revolution and its new technology.
13. Book of Job (38) The Book of Job is a book in the Hebrew Bible. It discusses the story of Job, a pious man who experiences great suffering and eventually challenges God for these unjustified punishments. God responds to Job, explaining that He is not subject to questions from his creations. The Book of Job attempts to reconcile the existence of God, despite the evil and suffering that is present in the world.
14. Tree of Knowledge (40) - The Tree of Knowledge is in the Book of Genesis story of Adam and Eve. This tree was forbidden to them by God, and contained the knowledge of good and evil. After eating fruit from this tree Adam and Eve were expelled from Eden and were denied the Tree of Life as well.
15. “pulled out a plum” (41) Lyric from a child's song, included here.
"Little Jack Horner Sat in the corner, Eating a Christmas pie; He put in his thumb, And pulled out a plum, And said 'What a good boy am I!"
16. Dr. Joseph Workman (45) Dr. Joseph Workman (May 26, 1805-April 15, 1894) was known as the “Father of Canadian Psychiatry.” He was the principal founder of the First Unitarian Congregation of Toronto. He wrote the church’s constitution as well. Dr. Workman was an involved social reformer. He worked to improve women’s rights, poverty, healthcare, and the treatment of the mentally ill in asylums. Dr. Workman was also passionate about education. He was well educated, as he studied, practiced, and taught medicine. He promoted free, non-sectarian, yet Christian education. He supported women’s rights to education, as well.
17. “Tennyson’s teeth and claws” (55) An allusion to Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem "In Memorium A.H.H.", which refers to Nature as "red in tooth and claw" in stanza LVI
18. Magdalene (58) - This refers to Mary Magdalene who was cleansed of seven demons by Jesus and who then became a very devout follower of Jesus and witnessed his crucifixion. She is often portrayed as a visionary and leader of the early movement of Jesus. She is referenced in the book because of her strict, serious, and devout appearance on icons.
19. Byronic (58) The word "Byronic" most likely refers to the Byronic hero, which can be found in Lord Byron's writing from the nineteenth century. Most often, the Byronic hero is considered the "bad boy" or the "rebel." He or she, unlike most other heroes, possesses many dark qualities and is generally isolated from society in some way. He or she is usually very confident in his or her abilities and also rather arrogant. Lady Caroline Lamb, the ex-lover of Lord Byron, characterized the Byronic hero as being "mad, bad, and dangerous to know."
20. Salpetriere in Paris (59) One of Europe's largest hospitals, the Salpetriere in Paris is very famous as well. Originally a gunpowder factory and later a holding pen for the undesirable members of society - such as prostitutes, the criminally insane, the mentally disabled, and the poor - it was converted in 1656 by order of King Louis XIV into a hospital. For years, it continued holding mostly mentally deranged patients, and until the early 19th century did so without much concern for humanitarian issues. By 1850 it had become a world-renowned psychiatric teaching hospital, whose students include Sigmund Freud. It is now a general teaching hospital.
21. Ophelia’s wildflowers (71) - Ophelia is a fictional character in the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare. Ophelia dresses in white and decks herself with “fantastical garlands” of wild flowers. Her flowers suggest the discordant double images of female sexuality as both innocent blossoming and whorish contamination. Her action of offering wild flowers to the court suggests a symbolic deflowering.
22. Ulysses/Sirens (71) - In Homer's myth The Odyssey, the main protagonist Ulysses suffers through many trials in his quest to return home. In one of these trials, he and his men must travel pass the Sirens' Island, home of the mythical women-like creatures whose song impel men to cast themselves into the sea. Ulysses commands his men to stuff their ears with wax so as to mute the sirens' song; he then orders them to tie him to the ship's mast so he cannot succumb to the music. By doing this, the crew is able to survive the lure of the sirens.
23. Quaker meeting houses (74)- The Religious Society of Friends, also known as Quakers, is a religious movement that began in the 17th century; Quakers often faced religious persecution for their social activism and found refuge in their Christian devotion. Because they held the worshiping of a service to a higher importance than its surroundings, Quakers often met outdoors or in small, public buildings. Yet as the movement expanded, they began to congregate in meeting houses, rather than “churches,” because they believed their worship did not require any particular building. The meeting houses are sparsely decorated and have high windows to minimize distractions.
24. “Render unto Caesar” (77)- Several Jews were angry about paying taxes to Caesar, the ruler of Rome. They asked Jesus if they were obligated to pay, expecting Jesus to side with them. He was trapped. If he said yes, he would be betraying his fellow Jews, and if he said no, he would be betraying Rome. Thus, he came up with the ambiguous answer, “Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s.” The Jews left, disappointed, for in actuality, Jesus had just returned to the question.
25. Tory Party (80) A conservative and traditionalist party that was most prominent in Great Britain and Canada. Most Toriests were uncomfortable with the pro-American and annexationist tendencies in the more liberal Grits (Upper Canada). The Tory Party was split up into Red Tory and Blue Tory, the latter being the less conservative of the two.
26. Irish Question (80): used by the British to describe Irish Nationalism. It regards Britain's internal dispute of how to deal with the Irish uprisings and call for independence from Britain. This ended in the separation of Northern Ireland (UK) and mainland Ireland.
27. Apercu (81) French: past participle of aprecevoir, meaning to perceive; an immediate/first impression, or insight.
28. Fox sisters (82) There were three Fox sisters, Leah, Margaret, and Kate, with Leah being the oldest. The two younger sisters convinced Leah and countless others that they could communicate with spirits. This played an important roll in the creation of Spiritualism (which was a religious movement). The sisters later came out in 1888 saying that it was a hoax, and went from being quite successful to in poverty. The belief in Spiritualism, however, still continued.
29. James Braid (83)- A Scottish physician who was pioneer in the field of hypnotherapy, also coined the term "hypnotism"
30. Strabismus (83) - Latin,"to squint," or "squint eyed." It is a condition in which the eyes do not properly align, more commonly known as cross-eyed.
31. Mesmer…Animal Magnetism (83) - Anton Mesmer was a scientist who believed that all beings had magnetic fields running through them. He felt that one got sick because these magnetic fields were out of balance. He cured people by putting a magnet in contact with a person, where the "mysterious magnetic fluid" would heal the patient. He called this fluid "Animal Magnetism." He called this method of curing people "Mesmerism."
32. “Stone walls do not a prison make…” (84) - These are the beginning lines of the final stanza of Richard Lovelace's To Althea, From Prison. In this stanza the author states how the physical boundaries didn't imprison him since his mind was still free.
33. “Once more into the beach…” (85) from the 'Cry God for Harry, England, and Saint George!' speech of Shakespeare's Henry V, Act III, the beach that they are talking about is in the mall of the city of Halfleur, which the English army held under cage, Henry was encouraging his troops in this speech to attack the city again, even if they have to "close the wall with the English dead, "it means "let us try again one more time"
34. “The wind bloweth where it listeth” (85)-This is a Bible verse that states that the strength of the wind, like the followers of Jesus Christ, cannot be controlled. One may be able to hear the wind, or feel it, but nobody can tell where it is going or where it came from. According to this verse, Christianity can be heard and felt, but it cannot be stopped.
35. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh,” and “that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit” (85) - John 3:6 Christ privately instructs Nicodemus on the great mysteries of the gospel. This is meant to be illuminating and is also possibly reflected in the philosophical concept of dualism, where the mind is an entity separate from the physical world, where the body resides.
36. Robert Browning’s The Ring and the Book and Pompilia (95) This poem is comprised of 12 books, each which account the same events through the different perspectives of different narratorrs. The book tells the tale of a murder trial in Rome in 1698. It was believed that Count Guido Franceschini felt his wife, Pompilia Companini, had an affair and therefore he was responsible for and her parents death. The Count is sentenced to death, and thus unsuccesfully appeals to Pope Innocent XII.
37. good red herring (101)-In the literal sense, a red herring is a fish that turns red after ten days during the smoking process. Idiomatically, “good red herring” originates from “neither fish nor fowl (flesh), nor good red herring.” This saying dates back to the 1420s during meatless days during lent; the clergy could not eat fresh fish, the masses could not eat meat, and the poor could not eat red herring, a relatively cheap fish. Therefore, the saying refers to being neither one nor the other, not belonging to any specific group, but rather to everyone. Finally, a “red herring” is also a logical fallacy that diverts attention from the discussed topic. It originates from William Cobbett, an English journalist, who wrote in 1805 that he used red herring as a boy to mislead hounds from his trail.
38. Mark of Cain (105) -- Cain and Abel were the two sons of Adam and Eve. Cain was a farmer and Abel a shepherd. Cain offered God some of his crops and Abel sacrificed some of his animals. When God accepted Abel’s offerings and not Cain’s, Cain murdered his brother out of jealousy. He is cursed by God to forever be a wanderer, and God puts a mark on Cain’s face, warning those that Cain will meet that he should not be killed. In Judaism and many branches of Christianity, the mark is viewed as a sign of God’s mercy.
39. Orangemen (108) - The Orange Institution is a Protestant fraternal organization based mainly in Northern Ireland and Scotland. The Institution was founded during 1796 near the village of Loughgall in County Armagh, Ireland. It is strongly linked to unionism. Those involved in this organization are called “Orangemen.”
40. Jonah and the whale (116) - According to Bible legend, Jonah was an Israelian prophet who was swallowed whole by a great fish after being thrown overboard by his companions. After praying to god for three nights and three days, god orders the fish to spit out Jonah.
41. Tower of Babel (124) - As Christian doctrine dictates, at one time there was an universal language shared amongst the people. A group of people settled the town of Babel, and in it built a tower. God, upon seeing such organization and progress, decided to scatter the tongues of the earth and create different languages. The Tower of Babel, though not explicitly stated in the Bible, represents the varying of languages.
42. “sits on a cushion and sews a fine seam” (133) This comes from a line in a poem called "Curly Locks" by James Whitcomb Riley. It is a popular nursery rhyme and describes how a boy adores a girl that he loves, and how he wants to pamper this girl. This specific line refers to her sitting on the cushion and "feasting" on sweets.
43. Beeton’s Book of Household Management (137) - A book editied in 1861 by Isabella Beeton. It was an all purpose guide that covered every aspect of homemaking for an aspiring middle class. A majority of the book was dedicated to recipes.
44. Alienists (140) - In the text, the word is in french, aliéniste, which is derived from the adjective aliéné, literally meaning 'insane'. Alienists are experts on mental illnesses, with regards to certain legal aspects as accepted by a court of law.
45. Thomas Brown (140): Commanded a regiment of loyalists known as the King's Rangers, Thomas Brown took part in several important actions in Georgia during the American Revolution.
46. Moreau de Tours (140) Jacques Joseph Moreau (1804-1884), nicknamed “Moreau de Tours,” was a French psychiatrist. He was the first doctor to record and publish his information and observations of a drug and its effect on the nervous system. Moreau studied the effects of marijuana. His studies led him to understand the relationship between dreams and madness, which he believed to be quite similar. He also deduced that insanity was the result of a chemical imbalance in the brain.
47. Maine de Biron (140)-French philosopher who also considered himself a mystical theosophist. Theosophy is the study of religious philosophy and metaphysics. Maine de Biron studied the difference between customs and habits, and the power and force of the conscious mind. Many of his works went unpublished.
48. sal volatile (142) a scented solution of ammonium carbonate in alcohol, used as smelling salts, possibly used in reviving persons who have fainted.
49. tester bedsteads with hangings (147) tester bedsteads with hangings refers to a type of bed. Bedsteads is a term referring to a bed's frame and a tester bedstead is a bed frame that is either slung from the ceiling or fastened to the walls. Hangings refers to the common practice of placing curtains around such a bed as to keep all drafts out and essentially completely enclose the bed.
50. the Rebellion (of 1837) (148) Referring to the pair of Canadian uprisings in Upper and Lower Canada against unfair British rule, the Rebellion of 1837 began in Lower Canada after the British government decided to arrest Patriotes, or Frenchmen seeking to reform the government. The fighting eventually spread to Upper Canada as well, however the rebels were ultimately defeated by 1838. Many surviving rebels were deported to Australia while the less fortunate ones were hung.
51. William Lyon Mackenzie (149)-A Scottish-Canadian journalist, politician, and rebellion leader. He was Toronto's first mayor and was an important leader in the 1837 Upper Canada Rebellion.
52. “Jeremiah, blow the fire…” (153) This is a popular children's song. Its lyrics are: "Jeremiah, blow the fire. Puff, puff, puff. First you blow it gently, then you blow it rough. Jeremiah, blow the fire. Puff, puff, puff."
53. “When Adam delved and Eve span, Who was then the gentleman?” (159) A rhyme made famous by John Ball, the mad priest of Kent, who was a prominent figure in the Peasant's Revolt of 1381. After he was released from the archbishop's prison by Kentish rebels, he preached to them with this rhyme and an open-air sermon, in which he urged the Kentish rebels to kill the principal lords of the kingdom and the lawyers
54. Widow’s hump (163) and widow’s walk (163) A widow's hump, also called osteoporosis, is a bone disease that mainly effects elderly women. Osetoporosis is a thinning of the bones that could lead to hip and spine fractures that can incapacitate the individual. A widow's walk is a railed rooftop platform, often with a small enclosed cupola found during the 19th century. The name comes from the popular myth that the wives of sailors would watch the sea in hopes of seeing their husband's return.
55. Widow’s mite (163) This is a small gift that someone gives, but that took a lot of effort and sacrifice to give it. This idea comes from a story in the bible where Jesus tells of a widow (who would have no source of income and thus be very poor) giving two mites (similar in significance to today's penny's) as a donation. This represents a huge donation on her part even though it is not very much. This, in Jesus's mind, is better than the who give much more, but as smaller fraction of his income than the widow.
56. "The Lady of the Lake” poem by Sir Walter Scott (165) Published in 1815, "The Lady of the Lake" is a narrative poem describing a single day in Scotland. In six cantos, the poem tells of three men competing for the love of a woman, a feud between King James V and his mentor, and a Scottish civil war. The poem was highly influential in the 19th century, and it did much to inspire the the Scottish clans system.
57. “Rose of Tralee” (170) International Irish festival celebrated in Irish communities worldwide, taking its name from a love song praising the attributes of a beautiful woman. In a similar manner as our Miss America competition, Irish communities select a girl who best displays the qualities praised in the song: "lovely and fair."
58. Snake Fence (181) The Snake fence is a specific quilting pattern that involves zig-zag type patterns interlocking one another.
59. Abattoir (185) Abattoir is another word for a slaughterhous or something likened to a slaughterhouse. The word is derived from the French word abattre which means to strike down.
60. Guy’s Hospital, London (186) This is a hospital and Medical School that was founded in London in 1721 by Thomas Guy. The hospital was initially established for treating and caring for incurables who were discharged from St. Thomas' Hospital.
61. Eyes in Oliver Twist (190) A primary climax in Oliver Twist is Nancy’s murder. While Oliver is working (against his will and morality) for Fagin (the depraved leader of a gang of orphans), he is sent with Bill Sikes (Fagin’s crony) to rob a house. Oliver is shot while Sikes escapes with the loot. Injured, Oliver is taken in by the lady of the house, Mrs. Maylie, and her daughter, Rose. For the first time in the book Oliver is happy in the countryside with his new surrogate family. The evil Fagin and Monks arrange a plot to capture Oliver and bring him back to the gang. Nancy, a prostitute and former pickpocket of Fagin’s gang, overhears the plot and meets with the Maylies to warn them. When Nancy’s betrayal of the gang is discovered, her lover, Sikes, murders her in a fit of rage. Nancy, having given her life to save a boy she barely knows, becomes a martyr figure. The image of Nancy’s eyes haunts Sikes’ guilty conscience for the rest of the book. Bill Sikes’ dog, (whose name gives away his symbolism) Bull’s-eye, as brutal and animalistic as Sikes himself, also becomes a physical embodiment of this offence. Having witnessed the crime, the dog’s bloody pawprints cause Sikes to desperately try to get rid of the dog. But Bull’s-eye remains a loyal, constant reminder of Sikes’ guilt. Plagued by these eyes, Bill Sikes succumbs to suicide. Eyes in Oliver Twist represent omens of untenable shame, and the idea that one’s transgressions are inescapable.
62. Hawthorne on spiritualism (192) Nathaniel Hawthorne was a famous transcendentalist; this literary movement stressed individual spiritualism and strong connections with nature. Transcendentalists often disagreed with organized religion, preferring instead to emphasize the importance of self-guided spirituality and individual reflection.
63. Abolition question (193) In the 1800s, the morality of slavery and the means of achieving its abolition were often debated, especially amongst rights activists and intellectuals.
64. Phrase “Fine words butter no parsnips” (196) An expression that emerged in the 1600', meaning that words alone are useless, especially flattering phrases or fine promises, and you should judge people by what they do rather than by what they say.
65. Lot’s wife (204)- A Biblical figure, Lot, is warned by angels that God is going to destroy his sinful city of Sodom and that his family must flee. He takes his wife and kids to the city of Zoar, with the angels warning him never to look back. Right before they have reached the refuge, his wife disobeys and looks back on their homeland. She is transformed into a pillar of salt. The question of what caused her to turn back is not stated, but it is speculated that she was too in love with the material world she had in Sodom.
66. Montgomery’s Tavern (205) -- The Battle of Montgomery’s Tavern was a revolutionary insurrection that occurred on December 7, 1837 outside a tavern in Toronto, Canada. At the time Canada was under British imperial control. The rebellion was led by William Lyon Mackenzie against the British but was quickly suppressed by Colonel James Fitzgibbon and loyalists.
67. “Peacock feathers inside the house are bad luck” (213) Some say that a peacock feather appears to have an evil eye at the end of it. They also say that this evil eye originated from the Greek legend, Argus, which tells the store of a hundred-eyed monster that was turned into a peacock and all of its eyes were put on its tail. As a result of this, some believe that it is unlucky to bring peacock feathers inside of a house because of this "evil eye."
68. Slut’s wool (218) This is another term for dust bunnies and debris that collect in the corners of rooms and in this case, under the bed.
69. Susanna and the elders (222) - The title of a painting that depicts a parable in which a young lady is blackmailed by two “elders” who threaten to publically accuse her of infidelity unless she agrees to have sex with them
70. Apocrypha (222)- A Greek word originally meaning "those having been hidden away", it often refers to religious texts that were meant to be kept secret from commoners
71. Heavenly Hosts (225) This is biblical reference; a term referring to the "army" of good angels in Heaven who perform military type services.
72. Glengarry Light Infantry (226) This is a group of soldiers that fought in the War of 1812, recruited from discharged Scottish soldiers from Canada's Glengarry District. These men carried muskets instead of rifles and wore dark green uniforms, using skillfully employed British skirmish and concealment tactics in their marches through Upper Canada.
73. Captain Alexander Macdonald (226)-military officer during the Jacobite Rising
74. Jacob and Esau (238) - This is a bible story that involves two twins, Jacob and Esau, who were born to Isaac and Rebekah. During her pregnancy, Rebekah asked God why she was in so much pain and He said that the twins were fighting in her womb. According to the story, whenever she would pass a house of Torah study, Jacob would struggle to come out and whenever she would pass a house of idolatry, Esau would struggle to come out. Esau grew to be an impulsive hunter and Jacob grew to be a simple man. They fought for the remainder of their lives and Esau constantly tried to gain power over Esau.
75. Foolish Virgins (parable) (253) This is a parable Jesus told in the Book of Matthew. It tells of ten virgins going out to meet their bridegrooms. The five prudent virgins took oil to light their lamps; the five foolish ones did not. When it got dark out and the lamps were needed, the foolish virgins asked the prudent virgins for some of their oil; they refused and sent them to the store to buy their own oil. However, the bridegroom arrived in their absence, so the prudent virgins went in. The bridegroom shut the door, and when the foolish virgins asked him to let them in, he refused. Jesus compares this to Heaven, encouraging believers to be ready for their judgment.
76. Queen Anne’s Lace (260)- Queen Anne's Lace is also called "Wild Carrot," and it is a common plant in dry fields, ditches, and open areas. It first originated in Europe and had leaves that are two to eight inches long; however, the plant is best known for its flowers which bloom in white clusters, resembling lace, which is clearly its namesake.
77. May Queen (262) - The May Queen can either be seen as a mythical figure or the personification of the holiday May Day, which is held in honor of the end of winter. During festivals, a young girl is chosen to be at the front of the May Day parade as the May Queen.
78. The Lancet (273) A peer-reviewed general medical journal that is considered one of the world's best-known, oldest, and most respected general medical journals with specialty journals in oncology. The journal was founded in 1823 by Thomas Wakely and was named after the surgical instrument "lancet" as well as an arched window "to let light in".
79. “pale horse that will be sent at the Day of Reckoning” (280) and “The angels whose white robes were washed in blood” (281) In the Book of Revelation, Death is said to ride on a pale horse at the apocalypse. "And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (Rev 7:14).
80. The Reformers (288)- This term mainly refers to a liberal political faction.
81. the Material school (299)
82. Dr. Charcot of Paris (300) French neurologist,who lived from 1825 to 1893 in Paris who studied the causes of hysteria.
83. Neurasthenia (301) This is a psycho-pathological condition that was created in 1869 by George Miller Beard. This condition had symptoms of depression, anxiety, fatigue, and headache. It was thought to be caused by the stresses of modern life, or urbanization. Also, this condition was thought to be particularily American, and was nicknamed "Americantitus." However, this condition is no longer considered a valid, mental disorder.
84. Love-in-a-mist pattern (313) This is a quilt pattern based on the "Love in the Mist" flower. Created by the Farm Journal in 1877, the pattern resembles the blue and white flower its name portrays.
85. “Angel of Death over the Egyptians” (317) In Egypt, the Angel of Death passed over Egypt killing the first born son of every Egyptian household in response to Pharaoh's refusal to heed Moses and Aaron and give the Hebrews freedom and safe passage to Canaan. God commanded that a lamb of one year be sacrificed, a lamb with no imperfections, and that the Blood of the lamb would be put on the sides of the door of the Jew's residence, and on the top lintel. It was to be spread with hyssop. The Angel of the Lord, passing over in darkness, would see the blood and "pass over" the house protected by the blood.
86. Bellini’s Somnambula (321)
87. “Lady of the Lake” (quilt pattern, boat) (325, 340) - as a quilt pattern, "Lady of the Lake" is a design that inverts two colors, one darker than another, through mirror images of a pattern of triangles. It is also a legendary allusion to the mysterious woman who hands King Arthur his sword, Excaliber.
88. “Valley of the Shadow of Death” (334) A reference to the 23rd Psalm, here is the line. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, / I will fear no evil: For thou art with me...”
89. “Vengeance is mine….” (339)- "Venegance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." is a biblical quote from Romans 12:19. It means that although a common response when someone mistreats us is to seek our own revenge, God should be the only person who is the avenger. Paul, in this bible verse reminds us of Jesus's teaching to treat our enemies with kindness instead of revenge.
90. “Rappaccini’s Daughter” (348) This is a short story written by Nathaniel Hawthorne in 1844. The story is about a Professor Rappaccini's apprentice Giovanni who falls for the professor's daughter, Beatris. However, Beatris is always within the confines of a garden filled with posionous plants out there by her father. Giovanni, upon pursuing his love for her, finds out that she is poisonous herself. Beatris begs him to look past this detail, but after some time together in the garden, Giovanni becomes poisonous as well. Giovanni recevies an antidote from her father that will allow the two of them to be together, but instead, it kills her.
91. Resurrection Men (351) - A title referring to "body-snatchers," those who participated in the act of secret disinterment of corpses from graveyards, often to sell for dissection or anatomy lectures in medical schools. (Slightly related to grave robbery, in which artifacts and personal effects are stolen instead of the body itself.)
92. Solomon’s Temple (367)- also known as the first temple, Soloman's Temple was the first Jewish temple according to the Bible and the Torah. The temple was made out of stone, and it was massive and cost Solomon great debts. God made a promise with Solomon, that if he made a good temple, and followed His rules that He will not forsake the children of Israel. The Temple was then destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C.E. Sacrifice was the main mode of divine service there.
93. “The Courtship of Miles Standish” (369) Was a narrative poem written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in 1858, which chronicled the early days of the Plymouth Colony pilgrims. The poem was widely popular in America and helped made the Mayflower Pilgrims famous in the American colonies.
94. Perseus (371) One of the most famous characters in Greek Mythology, Perseus a well-known hero. His grandfather received a prophecy predicting that he would never have a son and that the son of his daughter would kill him. Thus, he sent his daughter and her child, Perseus, to die at sea locked in a box. Persues went on to overcome a number of obstacles, including defeating Medusa, to ensure his and his Mother's safety. He eventually killed his grandfather in an accident at a discus competition.
95. Red Cross Knight (372)- A character from the Medieval English epic poem, The Faeire Queene, which was published in 1560 and 1564. The Red Cross Knight is the hero of the first book, and bears St. George's Cross. Early on in the book, it is said that the Red Cross Knight is in fact Saint George himself.
96. Shirt of Nessus (375) An allusion to greek mythology, the shirt of Nessus was the poisoned shirt that killed Hercules. Hercules had killed the centaur Nessus in revenge for Nessus' attempt to abduct Hercules' wife Deianeira. However, before Nessus died he soaked his blood in a tunic with the poison of the Lernean Hydra and gave it to the naive Deianeira. She foolishly gave the tunic to Hercules, and before long the poison caused him to burn and subsequently throw himself onto a funeral pyre.
97. Sauve qui peut (376) Every man for himself
98. Scheherazade (377) The storyteller of "Arabian Nights.” The frame story concerns the Persian King who, upon finding his wife unfaithful, would marry a new girl every day and execute his wife from the previous day. This continued until the vizier could not provide any more girls, so Scheherazade, the vizier's daughter, became the king's wife. Being both educated and clever, she kept herself alive by telling the king a story every night, but stopping it in the middle, forcing the king to wait until the next night to hear the story's ending. In this way, she told one thousand stories in one thousand and one nights, and by then the king had fallen in love with Scheherazade and made her his queen.
99. Simon Peter (379) and Simple Simon (379) Simon Peter or Saint Peter was originally a fishermen but became the most prominent of the twelve apostles and was favored by Jesus of Nazareth. Simple Simon is the name of a popular English nursery rhyme in which Simple Simon goes to get food from a fair which was the only type of good distribution system that existed in Medieval England.
100. Amazing Grace (379) - A Christian hymn published in 1779 by poet, clergyman and former slave trader, John Newton. He wrote the hymn in response to his own experiences as a message conveying the possibility of deliverance from sin by the grace of God.
101. Pandora’s Box (391) Pandora, the first woman according to Greek myth, was given a jar (or box) as a wedding present from the gods and told not to open it. Out of curiosity, she did so, releasing from the jar all the evils of the world. However, Hope did not leave the jar; thus, humans are able to tough out said evils in the world.
102. Ainsworth or Bulwer-Lytton (410)
103. John A. Macdonald (432)
104. Gordian knot (433)- One of the legends about Alexander the Great is that when he was in Gordium, in Turkey, in 333, he undid the Gordian Knot. The prophecy about the Gordian knot was that the person who untied it would rule all of Asia. Alexander the Great is said to have undone the knot by slashing through it with a sword or, according to Aristobulus, by pulling out a yoke pin that was in the center of the knot. The man who tied the knot is disputed, too. It is believed to have been either Midas of golden touch fame or his father Gordius. It is often used as a metaphor for an intractable problem, solved by a bold stroke.
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