Comments for Books Blog

Comment on Salom� in Art & Painting by John Benson

John Benson — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:29:14 +0000

The historical figure of Salome is interesting. She first appeared in the Bible as an innocent daughter that was forced to ask for the head of John the Baptist. It wasn’t until around the time of these paintings that her image began to change.

Wendy, you make a very, very intelligent observation, “is Salome a cruel woman with cold blood?”

In the Bible she was not, but after these paintings began to appear, the image of her began to change. These paintings show Salome as a seducer. The mass population actually made her to be a cannibal! A very famous opera was written called Salome where, in it, Salome asks for the head of John the Baptist but finds out after the beheading that she is in love with him. Very tragic. Throughout all of this we must keep in mind though that Salome was a Jew and her Jewish heritage is a VERY big deal.

People, after the opera and paintings, associated Salome with the Jewish culture and people. Salome was the word used to greet other Jews in Hebrew and this tie brought upon many terrible stereotypes. Salome became an anti-semitic icon that was spread throughout the world.

So when you say “Is Salome a cruel woman with cold blood?” The answer is unfortunately yes. But it was not always the case. Very interesting and deep topic.

Comment on Salom� in Art & Painting by Malcolm Taylor

Malcolm Taylor — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:36:37 +0000

Why do you term the biblical Salome “fictional”?

Comment on “Read a Book” Rap Song by Huma Sadulla

Huma Sadulla — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 05:34:22 +0000

Hello I am hobyar Monster i am from auburn north public school its near paramatta. In western sedney. My teachers name is Sofi Paterson. I am from aubrn north public school. I like Bear And Chook because its such a kind and friandly story

Comment on Salom� in Art & Painting by timotheos

timotheos — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 02:18:35 +0000

the hebrew hero judith is not the same person as salome. paintings depicting her and the head of slain general holofernes should not be included in a history of salome & john the baptist.

Comment on Banned Books List: 2008 to 2009 by Blair

Blair — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:23:30 +0000

Twilight should be banned for having poor character development, a slow story and multiple spelling errors in a world raised with spell-check. But not for any other reason.

Comment on Banned Books List: 2008 to 2009 by Lily

Lily — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:32:15 +0000

TWILIGHT IS BANNED!!!!!!!!

Comment on Christopher Paolini’s Fanmail by sarah

sarah — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 07:45:41 +0000

Hello…
what-the-heck-kind-of-a-name-is-that? Mikkel or whatever some 20 mails up. you r a real stupid if you think that the eragon series ‘SUCKS’.at least i’ve read each of them twice over and am gonna start again…….
well done christopher paolini!

Comment on Fake Dictionary Words by Gigi

Gigi — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 03:19:12 +0000

You make me want to horitable!!

Comment on Banned Books List: 2008 to 2009 by marina

marina — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:34:10 +0000

thats totally lame!! twilight. seriously??

Comment on “Canadian” the new N-word euphemism? by Stew

Stew — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 00:54:22 +0000

Dave, that’s the stupidest thing I’ve read today. Congratulations.

It probably developed because it was a way of distinguishing people that don’t tip with a non-insulting phrase that only coworkers would pick up on.

And racists are losing what little balls they had. Probably too many African Americans were beating their asses in, so they decided to compliment them instead.

Of course, I’d sure as hell love to see some Burly Hockey Players beat the ever-loving **** out of some Slack-jawed Southerners.