The Beast's Silver Tongue

the beast's silver tongue

Johan's and Lotte's first meetings with Karl Schumacher were meant to contrast. Lotte has to search Karl's mother to retrieve info about her. By contrast, Johan appears so trustworthy and amiable that Karl reveals his past without much prodding.

Farnese-The Lily Blooms

It's not a coincidence that both Guts and Roderick look similar and have comparable talents. Both men are also important to Farnese: Farnese nearly worships Guts and Roderick is clearly attracted to her, but Farnese doesn't reciprocate his feelings. This dynamic mirrors the Golden Age love triangle between Guts, Casca, and Griffith. Just like Casca, Farnese has to choose not just between self-acceptance and self-rejection.

Farnese's journey is one of becoming more courageous through service. She was a fearful girl who armored herself with aloofness and acts of terror. She wanted people to be more scared of her than she was of the things that frightened her. Farnese's encounter with Guts during the Conviction Arc demonstrates a new way of confronting horrors- head-on rather than running away. Her inability to care for Casca forces her to confront her vulnerabilities and overcome them for someone else's sake. Farnese even learns magic so she can become more self-reliant and defend Casca herself.

Guts is the catalyst for Farnese's aforementioned development. Farnese worships Guts as the embodiment of the resilience she desperately desires. This is reminiscent of how Casca idolized Griffith. By giving Casca a sword, Griffith gave Casca a means of asserting and defending herself in a world that would otherwise oppress her. She, like Farnese, idolized a man who gave her greater autonomy.

Ironically, Casca's self-image became dependent on how Griffith could use her. She even disdained her womanhood, seeing it as an obstacle to serving Griffith. Farnese self-esteem isn't nearly as low, but she is clearly crushed whenever she doesn't get Guts' attention.

Her improvement finally grants her a chance to get more of it. It isn't until she meets Roderick, however, that she finally has a chance to be loved. Roderick is curious about Farnese, saying he always wanted to see the Vandimion devil child. The worst parts of Farnese's history don't scare Roderick away but only intrigue him. Likewise, Guts saw the worst of Casca: her abrasiveness, jealousy, and insecurity, all derived from her unrequited crush on Griffith. However, this only endears Casca to Guts further. Roderick is similarly patient towards Farnese: he understands she has feelings for the Black Swordsman, but isn't jealous.

Both Guts and Roderick respect their love interests' prowess as well. When Farnese protects the ship using magic, Roderick calls Farnese a goddess among angels. For a man from a society that prohibits witchcraft and limits women, this response is remarkably accepting. Farnese and Roderick's relationship will mirror the total acceptance found in Casca and Guts'.

Farnese's romantic relationships mirror Casca's almost 1-to-1. The protective admirer (Serpico), the unrequited love (Guts), and now her possible soulmate (Roderick). As of now, I see Roderick and Farnese getting together. Farnese's gentle and compassionate nature would make her a great partner, and I can see her joining Roderick on his journeys. I'll keep in mind what Lady Vandimion said about Farnese's unpredictability. Farnese may surprise not only her brother but us as well.

Tenma and Lunge are the same character but with a slight twist. They're both workaholics who let their passion destroy their personal lives. However, Tenma's position as Chief of Surgery strengthens his relationships with others, while Lunge's obsession with detective work only further isolates him. Tenma's rapport with former patients is so strong that when he is jailed for murder, they form an advocacy group and pay for the best defense lawyer they can find. Lunge's relationship with his clients is nonexistent in contrast. He doesn't view his clients as people but as puzzle pieces that must be fitted together.

The Frugal Wizard's Handbook for Surviving Medieval England- Book Review

SPOILER WARNING

Brandon Sanderson's work rewards people who embrace their oddities and worst flaw, and The Frugal Wizard's Handbook is no different. Amnesiac John West finds himself in an alternate dimension that resembles Medieval England, but has no idea how he arrived or who he is. As memories slowly come back to him, he recognizes that he might not want to remember that last part. His relationships with Sefawynn, a storyteller, and Ealstan, a local lord, help him accept his identity.

John West's character arc from wannabe wizard to actual hero was enjoyable to read. Seeing him grow in confidence through his relationship with Sefawynn was touching. Sefawynn herself has a pretty great arc, though I think the romantic tension between her and John wasn't well developed. I understand that they accept each others' flaws, but we don't see a lot of flirting or signs of attraction. Most of the characters in this book aren't given much depth. Thokk, Ealstan, and Jen suffer the most from this. Thokk fills the kooky old lady archetype, but has very little characterization outside of that. Her status as a goddess isn't really questioned by John, but neither were a lot of things near the end of the story

Jen's characterization are especially shallow. Even though John couldn't remember much about Jen, there could've been ways to characterize her (e.g Ryan and John commiserate over what she was like, John has some sort of charm or memorabilia that reminds him of her). Instead, we don't learn about her until we learn she betrays John. Jen cheating on John only serves to server his ties to his home dimension so he can stay in Medieval England. It isn't given the time to fully flesh out John's feelings. This book would've benefitted from at least two more chapters describing the emotional fallout from what happened

3.5/5 stars - enjoyed the overall message of the story; certainly could've used more time to develop character relationships

Matahachi Honiden and Peter Keating

Despite being from two completely different eras and countries, the deuteragonists of the Vagabond manga and The Fountainhead share a lot in common. The Fountainhead has Peter Keating, an aspiring architect who sacrifices others and eventually his own happiness to achieve ephemeral success. In Vagabond, we see Matahachi Honiden bumble through various troubles on his quest to become an esteemed swordsman. Both of these men pursued these paths because of their mothers. Mrs. Keating guided all of Peter's career choices, from attending college to joining a firm and marrying his employer's daughter. Osugi Honiden, Matahachi's adoptive mother wanted him to be a worthy heir of the Honiden name. One of these men falls into disgrace, whereas the other accepts his failings and aspires to be better. Their maternal support is critical to their character arcs.

From the very beginning, Peter and Matahachi are pushed towards divergent endings. Peter mother frequently dismissed Keating's actual desires in favor of fulfilling a shallow version of success. This is epitomized in Keating's rejection of Katie, his true love. One day, a panicked Katie goes to Peter's home and asks to marry him the next day. He agrees, but his mother dissuades him from doing so. Instead, she advises him to marry Dominique Francon, his employer's daughter. Peter ultimately follows his mother's wishes rather than his own. This desperation to live up to his mother's standards drive him to ghastly measures. He frightens his firm's partner into dying of a stroke. Keating also plagiarizes his rival's designs. Despite owing his success to his rival, Peter still resents him Reaching all the hallmarks of traditional success leaves Keating tormented; he knows that he can credit himself for none of it.

By contrast, Osugi supports Matahachi's goal of becoming a skilled swordsman. In her eyes, this ambition makes him a better heir. However, Matahachi doesn't have the discipline to develop his sword skills. His indiscipline leads him to make the same mistakes as Keating. He cheats on his fiancee Otsu and wounds her deeply. Matahachi pretends to be the renowned swordsman Sasaki Kojiro. Admiration also sours into envy for Matahachi. He also resents his friend Musashi for becoming a better swordsman and taking his ex-fiancee.

It's Osugi's support, however, that guides Matahachi on a better path. Before her death, Osugi reveals that she knew about his failings but loved him anyways. She even compares him to Musashi positively. Even though Musashi's single-minded focus is admirable, Osugi believes that Matahachi wandering before finding his path is still beautiful. This validation and love is what gives Matahachi the strength to accept himself and his mistakes. This is the start of his redemption arc. Keating, however, never receives this same love. His mother recognizes that her constant meddling led to Peter's current misery; however, she never openly states that she accepts him for who he is.

poor emi. she's stuck in the world's worst custody battle