Margaret S.
Bio
I'm Margaret, a U.S.-based literary critic with a Psych degree. In my posts, I don't just ask 'whodunit,' I explore 'whydunit.' Melding classic lit with modern mystery, I turn each page into a psychological exploration. 📚✨
Stories (15/0)
Covert Narcissism? 5 Best Traits That Will Easily Confirm It
Narcissus never saw his reflection in a digital screen, but if he lived in our era, he'd probably be the king of selfies. In today's world, narcissism doesn't just stare at its reflection in water; it filters, edits, and posts it online. But what about those who don't make it quite so obvious? Enter covert narcissism: the subtler, slyer sibling of overt narcissism.
By Margaret S.8 months ago in Psyche
The 20 Popular Victorian Novels You Need To Read First
Greetings, discerning readers! If one takes a cursory stroll down the labyrinthine corridors of the literary world, there are certain epochs and genres that beckon irresistibly, like sirens singing from across time. Ah, the Victorian era—how could we ever resist your beguiling charms? Spanning from 1837 to 1901, the era named after Queen Victoria is a trove of cultural artifacts that beckon us with a siren song of eloquence, elaborate plots, and deeply textured characters. Today, I make the case for why the Victorian novel should be not just a passing dalliance, but a sustained engagement in your reading journey.
By Margaret S.8 months ago in BookClub
Cozy Up! Books That Pair Perfectly with a Fall Evening by the Fire
As the amber light of autumn drapes its mysterious allure over the world, it heralds a season ripe for intellectual harvest. Picture this: the crisp rustle of fallen leaves harmonizing with the soft turning of a page, both inviting contemplation and renewal. This Autumn, we're not just mirroring the season’s palette of oranges and reds; we’re diving deep into its intricate layers. Prepare for a curated selection of mysteries and classics designed to offer an intellectual cornucopia as varied and rich as a pumpkin patch in October. Welcome, dear readers, to my Autumn TBR.
By Margaret S.8 months ago in BookClub
10 Mystery Books That Will Decimate Your Expectations
Ah, mystery books—the entangled webs of intrigue, the confounding paradoxes, the insatiable thirst for revelation. Whether you're a seasoned sleuth or a rookie detective in the reading realm, you've likely dived headfirst into stories that seemed predictable—only to be utterly flabbergasted. Today, we plunge into a curated list of 10 mystery novels that defied every presumption, each in its unique, unsettling way.
By Margaret S.8 months ago in BookClub
Confessions: How I Got Addicted to Psychology
Are you one of those people who loves to decipher the enigma that is the human mind? If you are, welcome to the club! If you're not, hold on tight—because by the end of this riveting blog post, you'll be as addicted to psychology as I am. Yes, psychology is addictive, and I’m here to tell you why.
By Margaret S.8 months ago in Confessions
The Effects of a Lifetime of Parental Scripting Is Failing Us
Ah, families—the Petri dishes of ego states. Familial bonds are perhaps the most emotionally complex and historically dense relationships we navigate. And it is within these intricate tapestries that Transactional Analysis offers its most poignant insights. Let's delve further into the lifetime of scripting that often characterizes our closest kin ships.
By Margaret S.8 months ago in Psyche
Deciphering the Mind's Maze
Ever pondered the psychological intricacies entwined within the threads of classic literature? You’re hardly alone. For centuries, authors have artfully woven characters with complexities and mental conditions that not only intrigue us but also provide a window into human psyche—oftentimes inadvertently nudging us into confronting societal stigmas. Welcome to the compelling realm of literary psychopathology, where fiction offers a magnifying lens to examine the intricate labyrinths of the mind. Today, let's delve deep into a classic that has mystified readers for decades—Herman Melville's Moby Dick, with a focus on Captain Ahab's haunting Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
By Margaret S.8 months ago in Psyche
La Chiaroscuro
In the basement of the Louvre, art conservator Alain Bertrand scrutinized "La Chiaroscuro," an enigmatic painting whose artist had been lost to the annals of history. The painting depicted a masked ball, revelers in ornate costumes dancing around a figure cloaked in shadow. Yet, what captivated Alain was the canvas itself—it seemed to absorb light, making the colors more vivid and the shadows more pronounced.
By Margaret S.8 months ago in Fiction
Love or Illusion? The Cognitive Dissonance of Jay Gatsby
In F. Scott Fitzgerald's masterpiece, The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby is a character who has lodged himself into the collective consciousness as an epitome of the American Dream gone awry. But what underpins Gatsby's ceaseless pining for Daisy Buchanan? The concept of obsession unfurls itself within the complex tapestry of Gatsby’s psychology. Our exploration traverses the realms of psychology, neuroscience, and literary analysis to deconstruct what makes Gatsby a case study for fixation.
By Margaret S.8 months ago in BookClub
Exploring the Minds in Classic Literature
Welcome, fellow book lovers, to a thrilling journey through the captivating world of classic literature! As avid readers, we often find ourselves engrossed in the lives of unforgettable characters who embark on adventures, seek love, and face moral dilemmas. Beyond their engaging stories, have you ever wondered what lies beneath the surface of their personalities? In this blog post, we delve into the minds of 30 beloved book characters from classical literature, analyzing their Myers-Briggs Personality Types to gain deeper insights into their behaviors, motivations, and distinctive qualities.
By Margaret S.8 months ago in BookClub
