White Rose of Avalon

Literature

  • Morgana Le Fay’s Influence in Game of Thrones

    For today’s post I would like to look at Morgan Le Fay’s influence in the characters in Game of Thrones (or as the book series is called A Song of Ice and Fire).    The obvious Morgana connection here is to Melisandre of Asshai.   She is the redheaded witch character.   In many ways…

  • Bellatrix Lestrange: Witch Bitch

    For this week’s Femme Fatale Friday I have chosen a truly fatal female.   In the Harry Potter books there was not a more evil and wicked female magician than Bellatrix Lestrange.    There is literally nothing but blackness and bile in this bitchy witch!    She is an antagonist and rather mad, and is…

  • Phoenix: Bird of Fiery Rebirth

    For today’s post I would like to discuss the fiery bird, the phoenix.   The phoenix is a fire bird from mythology.    The story of the phoenix is a bird who gets engulfed in fire when it is ready to die.    The unique part of this bird is that it gets born again…

  • The Bronte’s, Heroines of Gothic Literature

    HAPPY HALLOWEEN!   For the final day of Gothic week I have decided that the topic will be about the Brontes!    I will be discussing the sisters, their literature, and especially their heroines.   I will focus mainly on my favorite Catherine Earnshaw and on Jane Eyre.    I have to be honest, Anne,…

  • Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, Gothic Icon

    For this last Femme Fatale Friday of October, and in celebration of Gothic Week 2021, I have chosen to discuss Mary Shelley!    Mary Shelley was the daughter of the great feminist icon Mary Wollstonecraft and the writer William Godwin.   Mary would lead a rebellious life, making her a perfect choice for Femme Fatale…

  • My Top 15 Essential Gothic Reads

    Hello my lovely readers, and welcome to Gothic Week on White Rose of Avalon!   For day one I have decided to write up a list of my 15 essential Gothic reads.   This will not be a ranked countdown like most of my lists, as it is nearly impossible for me to choose a…

  • Morgana Le Fay as La Belle Dame Sans Merci

    For today’s post I would like to analyze the poem La Belle Dame Sans Merci by John Keats.   This particular analysis will focus on my belief that the Belle Dame of the poem is none other than Morgan Le Fay! Within the poem we meet a knight who is lying near death and tells…

  • My Top 5 Favorite Classic Gothic Fantasy Fiction Works

    For today’s post I have decided to do a countdown of my favorite works of gothic fantasy fiction.    For this countdown I will only be choosing works of classical fiction!   I hope that you enjoy my thoughts.   Without further ado here’s the countdown. Number 5: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and…

  • Harry Potter References to Arthurian Legends

    For today’s blog post I would like to take a look at the ways in which J.K. Rowling referenced Arthurian legend in the Harry Potter series of books.   Some of these references are very obvious and others are less so.   It is important that we are able to understand just how Rowling was…

  • My Top 5 Magical Celtic Books

    In honor of this very magical time of year, I have decided to do a countdown of my top five magical Celtic books!   These books go deep into the history and myths of the Celts and Arthurian legends.    Each one is well worth reading for anyone interested in magic, myth, and legend (whether…