The Citrus Tree
The full moon shone through the leafy boughs of late-summer trees, illuminating a wood-made home in a rural village. Inside, the hearth was warm, and the pot of stew was nearly empty. Fastened to the mantle above the hearth was the yellow shield of the house—every family in the land had one. Northern Maura, despite the Age of War that was only then drawing to a close, was an honor-bound land, thus most families had family crests—all had fought; all had given someone during the wars. The kingdoms were close, and the people were integrated and reintegrated into each new…
The Lighthouse
Rafael and his sons sparred. Armonde leaned against one of the thin columns that formed the outer edge of the cloister, and Jaxon came at him with a wooden training sword. The blade tacked against Rafael’s own as Jaxon worked through a routine Rafael had taught him, after which they switched and Rafael took the offense, and so it went in rhythm until Jaxon’s movements began to wane, and Rafael took the advantage. Jaxon collapsed against the dying oak that sprouted in the midst of the courtyard. “Always look to your own defense first,” he preempted Rafael’s usual lecture. “And…
The Ghost of the Sundered Dam
The world crumbled around us. In a single generation, we witnessed an earth-shattering beyond comprehension and saw mankind rise from the ashes, begin to reassemble themselves, then turn on each other like dogs fighting over what scarce resources remained. House Desmond and House Ormonde both formed commonwealths in the enclosed expanse of County Waterford. Why they did not form a single entity is beyond me, but almost as soon as they collected the power to establish rule of law, they turned against each other. Their conflict rose and fell in tides, but ultimately, County Waterford…
The Invocation
May I not be a waning moon, but one ever waxing, according to the nearness of my heart to Yours; may this be an echo of my closeness to Your heart, a swelling moon reflecting the beauty of Your name —and all that beauty entails. May this tale not usher darkness into a dark world, but be instead the Sun’s dead compatriot, brightening the night with the reflection of Your light. The moon alone illuminates no shadow —brings no healing. But is instead a tool to be used to bring light into the dark. Though devils walk the earth, let…
Post-colonialism in The Hunger Games Trilogy
When reading The Hunger Games trilogy through the emphases of Post-colonialism, several interesting things emerge. Two things Post-colonialist critics are most interested in appear: the concept of identity (particularly identity in light of oppression) and imperialism. Post-colonialist ideas are seen most clearly through the following four topics: the sins of the Capitol, the voices of the rebellion, the identity of Katniss, and the into-the-beyond conclusion of the series. By these, Collins brings out the need for people to fight back against oppression and totalitarian rule. Bill Ashcroft, in his book The Empire Writes Back, lays out simply what Post-colonialism is…
S. A. Grove 