The Petrified Child
Anaxandra states, "In the center of this second courtyard was the most beautiful and horrifying thing I had ever seen. A child had been turned to stone. He stood in water that splashed out of his hands, and around his feet tiny fish swam and lilies bloomed. I could not breathe." This passage describes Anaxandra's arrival on the island of Siphnos after a journey with King Nicander and his army. The island is portrayed as barren and challenging to traverse with a steep path leading to its peak. Thus, this imagery of the child turned to stone creates a stark contrast that amplifies its impact on the narrator. The child's petrified form is a striking portrayal of a tragic event frozen in time. It is reminiscent of the myth of Medusa who could turn anyone who looked at her into stone. Anaxandra wonders why Medusa turned the child to stone and what he might have done to deserve such a fate. The child's transformation holds a sense of mystery and sadness. This moment also highlights the presence of ancient Greek mythology and the influence of the gods on human lives.
The Whispering Snakes
The protagonist finds herself in a meadow near the palace of King Nicander. She climbs a tree where she has hidden her mother's jewels inside a small hole. While resting on the tree's branch, she notices a fleet of ships approaching the island. Subsequently, Anaxandra hears a whisper that is not a voice but the sound of snakes. She says, "Again came the whisper. It was not a voice. It was snakes…Hanging from the branch above my face, a dozen snakes had twisted into a knot and were leaning toward me." The imagery of the snakes in the tree creates an eerie atmosphere in the scene. Furthermore, the contrast between the beautiful meadow and the sinister presence of the snakes adds depth to the narrative. The notion that the whisper was not a human voice, but the sound of snakes is particularly unsettling. It emphasizes the dangerous nature of the island where snakes abound. Anaxandra's reaction to the snake dropping through her hair and onto her sandals highlights her survival instinct. She leaps out of the tree and escapes the potential danger.
The Princess in Disguise
Anaxandra is on a journey with the Trojans—accompanying Helen and Paris—as they return to Troy. She is posing as Princess Hermione to conceal her identity. The group is traveling on a warship making their way to Gythion. Anaxandra asserts, "I hid beneath a felt hood that scratched and clung…Aethra was one of the five. She seemed an extraordinary choice, even for Helen. There was so little a woman of such great age could contribute. Aethra could never walk to Gythion and had been given a tiny gray donkey. In all this chaos, she had her bag of wool and was sitting sideways on the donkey, spinning." The hot sun beating down on them and the scratchy hood adds to the physical discomfort that Anaxandra is enduring. This image reflects the grandeur of Helen and Paris' entourage and the mundane reality of daily life even during a war. Aethra's presence highlights the vulnerability of the slaves and servants in this journey. Anaxandra reflects on how a true princess should be protected yet she feels like mere baggage.
Andromache's Crowded Boudoir
Upon arriving in Troy, Anaxandra enters the chambers with Andromache. Andromache shares her desire to marry Hector but reveals that she has to wait for three more years as per King Priam's wishes. Consequently, Anaxandra describes the small and crowded chamber where the princesses will be staying. She states, "Her chamber appalled me. Anywhere else, it would have been called a wide place in the hall, not the boudoir of a princess. And this space was to hold four of us? Each girl had a trunk, but to save room, bedding and fleeces had been rolled up and stacked on top of them. It was just as well I possessed nothing." The imagery of Andromache's chamber emphasizes the difference between the luxurious image of princesses and the reality of living in Troy. The description highlights the cramped living conditions despite the characters' noble status. Also, the image of four princesses staying in this room further emphasizes the lack of personal space and privacy.
