An Old Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott (Already reading it. It rocks and I think ya'll should read it no matter what.)
The Lillies of the Field
The Merchent of Venice
A Christmas Carol?
OK, I don't remember what else, but I'll check.
FALLON! GET ON HERE!
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Those are the books I read last year, with the addition of The Bronze Bow. I liked them all, and they were all mostly interesting to write about. I especially enjoyed writing my character sketch of Polly Milton, and the persuasive essay on The Merchant of Venice.
I'm reading Old fashioned girl right now. I'm just loving it. It was better than I thought. I also have read the bronze bow and couldn't get enough.
I love both.
Shylock is a symbol of the devil - right between St Irenaeus' devil and C S Lewis' White Witch.
Shakespear took an ethnicity that was not seen in England, just as C S L's Calormenes have little to do with real turbanned people.
So Antonio is at once a symbol for Christ (having made no debt, but getting in trouble for a friend in debt) and on a second level for the sinner needing redemption.
What does that make Portia? Hint: one prayer of the rosary.
I think you mean she is like The Blessed Virgin... now hang on a moment while I figure out how that works.
Well, starting with the test. Only the most worthy man may marry her. As I recall it, St. Joseph was among many eligible men called to bring their staffs to the synagogue and leave them there overnight. Joseph's sprouted lilies, and by that sign he was deemed worthy of Mary's hand. So there is a situation similar to how Bassanio wins Portia.
But wait a second: Portia saves Antonio from having to pay his debt. How does that fit in? I'm officially confused now. Maybe she isn't a symbol of Mary...?
When Portia comes in, Antonio is no longer a symbol of Christ but of us. Eia ergo ...
She refutes Shylock/the devil and forces him to release Antonio/the human soul from his debt. She steps on the serpent.
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