Like many people, I love any excuse to dress up — especially when it comes to Halloween costumes. Over the years I've been Raggedy Ann, a pumpkin, a cheerleader (my mother's doing), a variety of princesses (Disney and otherwise), a jester, the statue of liberty, and myriad others along the way.
At Prestwick House, I was given the opportunity to dress up as one of the faeries for the A Midsummer Night's Dream cover. (I mentally dubbed myself Peaseblossom in case you were wondering). All this dressing up for covers around the office got me to thinking — for someone who likes literature so much, how is it that my photo shoot for Prestwick House is the first time I've ever dressed up as a character from literature? There are so many great, influential characters out there that would make phenomenal costumes (and would be sure to win you many a costume contest — or at least the envy of the rest of the English department).
Here's a few of my favorite ideas.
Hester Prynne from The Scarlet Letter
An easy costume to compile, and easily recognized. The first photo is of Stephanie Polukis as Hester Prynne for the Literary Touchstone Classic cover of The Scarlet Letter. The other is a found photo of a fantastic mother/daughter pair. Baby Pearl is just too cute!
Holden Cauffield from The Catcher in the Rye
One of the most beloved characters of all time, and all you need is a hat with ear flaps and a suitcase.
Nick Bottom, Faeries, or Puck from A Midsummer Night's Dream
The first photo is of Paul Arrington, Kathy Nikolson, Jen Mendoza, and Annie Rizzuto (that's me) on the Literary Touchstone Classic cover of A Midsummer Night's Dream. The other is a found photo of a very imaginative rendition of Puck. In all honesty, pretty much any Shakespeare character would make a phenomenal costume.
Edna Pontellier from The Awakening
Erin Hastings brings out the strength of Edna's character in this great shot from the cover of the SAT Words from Literature edition of The Awakening.
Wouldn't it be fun to make a dramatic entrance dressed as Scarlet O'Hara or Jay Gatsby? Or grab a friend and become the dynamic duo of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern? Or, my personal favorite, how about going as Scout — in her ham costume? The possibilities are endless...
2 comments:
As part of Homecoming, my school has costume day. Since we were reading _A Midsummer Night's Dream_, I came as Titania. I put on an old after five dress and borrowed a tiara from my niece. My sister just happened to have a set of wings. When students asked who I was, every student I had taught knew the character, even the seniors who hadn't read the play in three years.
Scout Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird! Easy and lovable! Everyone remembers Scout...
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