Portrait of a Girl Reading

Sunlight filters through a small window in the far corner of the cheerless room. The walls are painted a fresh yellow in an effort to infuse some life into the tiny chamber; however, the attempt is poor, the chamber as lifeless as ever-- or so it would be, were it not for the single individual seated on the large chair that is placed right in the middle of the otherwise bare room. Her elbow, clothed in a ruffled yellow sleeve, gently rests on the arm of the chair, while long, slim fingers caress a small, red book. Tiny letters are scrawled lovingly across the leaves; the young lady is thoroughly occupied in this pleasant occupation, her regal head slightly inclined as her eyes peruse each word carefully. She is, indeed, quite a beauty. A swan-like neck; long brown hair that is becomingly tied up with lavender ribbons-- a hairstyle that indicates she is a woman, not a girl; not any more. She is fair, but not pale; her cheeks are a healthy red, almost the same colour as her lips. She reminds one of a rose-- is as she as sharp as those beautiful, thorned flowers? Intellectually, yes. Definitely. And if provoked, she has quite a temper.

"She has a man's mind." "Young girls should worry their pretty little heads about Romance, not Philosophy." "Your beauty will get you a husband, not your knowledge!" How tired, how sick she is of hearing these words over and over.

Her mind, which had begun to wander slightly as she fumed at Society, immediately returns to her present task. The expression in her eyes-- is it joy? Bright, unmitigated, unrestrained joy? Is it love? A deep and tender love, unperturbed, heavenly, divine? Is it the light of intellect and enlightenment-- the blessing of the Gray-eyed Goddess? She is one with her little book, almost attaining a state of divinity in the process.

That book-- what depths of wisdom does it contain? Is it Pilgrim's Progress? Is it Greek philosophy? Is it one of Euripides' tragedies? Is it Latin poetry, a sweet pledge of eternal love perhaps? Is it a social commentary on the position of women in society? Is it Milton's Paradise Lost? Or is she delving into the gritty and grotesque but entrancing world of the Brothers Grimm? Or-- Ah! Could it not be one of William Shakespeare's immortal plays? The Winter's Tale, perhaps?

She has not invited us into her world, and therefore one is forced to make these assumptions... She is quite the mysterious, serene, thought-provoking woman. Is that not so? She has not attempted to actively prevent anyone from interrupting her, but her aura speaks clearly. Extremely clearly. Let us quietly let the brocade curtains fall on this scene, as we withdraw and leave her to her pursuit of Knowledge.