I often find myself reading God’s word to help reassure myself when I am doubtful of my capabilities, especially this quote from the book of Timothy. It fills me with the strength to help Laura through the curse of the goblin men. God created us humans in his own image and wants us to be the best humans we can be while living by his rules. He wants us to love one another and help them when they are ill, just like Laura. He wants us to never be afraid because he is always watching over us. I am scared to death to encounter the goblin men tonight; they are the epitome of evil and comparable to the demons that God fights every day. Knowing that God is always with me and that God faces similar evils gives me the bravery to face goblin men. As I go to retrieve the fruit for Laura I will recite this bible quote from Timothy to remind myself that God is always with me and that God created me with power, love, and a sound mind. With these three qualities combined and with the help of God, retrieving the fruit from the goblin men and saving Laura from their curse will be possible.
Editorial Commentary: 2 Timothy 1:7 is a quote from The Bible that empowers Lizzie when she is doubting her ability to save Laura from the curse of the goblin men’s fruit. By choosing this quote, Lizzie reveals that she desires to be a strong, independent woman who is determined to be independent and successful. Women of the Victorian Era found themselves doubted by the people around them. Women were not seen as equal to men and it was believed women were inferior and could not do the things that men could do. Men were stereotyped as brave and strong and fearless and women were seen as timid and ladylike and dainty. In order to save Laura, Lizzie had to embody the characteristics of a Victorian Era man. She had to out smart the goblins; she had to use intelligence no one thought a woman could have. She had to face her fear of the goblin men, showing bravery, a classic characteristic of men. Lastly, she had to resist the temptation to eat the fruit the goblin men shoved into her face, resisting the orders of a “man”, breaking the stereotype that women are inferior to men. Lizzie used the power of God’s word to save her sister from the goblin men’s curse and simultaneously broke the gender stereotype placed upon women during the Victorian Era as well.
Citation: The Bible. Authorized King James Version, Cambridge UP, 2004.