The Gate to Women's Country: Chapters 1-5

At what age are boys sent to Men's country?

• At the age of 5, boys are sent to Men's country, where they stay except for twice a year, when they visit Women's country. Once they turn 15, boys/men either choose to stay in Men's country, or rejoin Women's country.

How does Stavia constantly describe herself?

• Stavia constantly describers herself as having two personalities. Her normal daily self, which freaks out easily at crises, and her other daring, acting self. This part would take over, allowing Stavia to remain calm and make good choices at times of stress.

Why do we see her as both an adult and a girl?

• Stavia is seen as both adult and child due to her childish nature at some moments. Also, the numerous flashbacks from her point of view allow the world of the book to be seen through her eyes as a child.

The Taming of the Shrew: Induction

Induction Scene 1:
What happens:

• sly passes out
• lord tells players to put on play, not to laugh at sly
• lord plans for page to act as wife, persuading sly that he went mad for 7 years as a beggar

My reaction:

So far this definitely seems like a comedy. I mean, this lord is going all out in order to pull a prank on some random drunkard. With beautiful clothing, a play, and even some wearing of drag in order to make it even more fun.  When people think of Shakespeare, they think of proper and stiff characters, not the funny and crazy schemes of someone with too much time on their hands. So far, I am enjoying the story. 

Induction Scene 2:

What happens:

• lord dresses up as one of the servants
• offer paintings, activities, delicacies to sly
• convince him that he was mad for 15 years
• tell him that he talked to people who never existed
• get "wife" (page) to come in
• Sly wants to have some alone time with his wife, however the page quickly covers up by saying that they would wait so he does not go mad again
• Sly and his "wife" go to watch the play

My reaction:

And so begins the next part of the tale, after this frame story. The frame story was actually quite interesting however. It is interesting because the story of the Shrew could either teach Sly a lesson, or be completely random, yet I have no way of knowing.