November 2023 Prompt: Seasonal Garb

[Prof. Tarma Amelia Black]

The telling of stories can be a direct and straight route from the beginning "It was a dark and stormy night." to the ending "And they lived, perhaps happily ever after, but ... they lived!" They can also be twisting and winding tales in which chapters and chapters slowly wend their way along, with excruciating details of the meals eaten, the drinks drank and what clothing was worn for which meals.

Speaking of clothing, have you noticed a trend, or a similarity of clothing styles in different kinds of books? The adventurous books often have the main character dressed in leggings or trews, with some sort of rough sweater or jacket. Oh, yes, and boots (except if you are a hobbit ...) The science fiction books have people often in some kind of futuristic garb, with shiny clothing made of some kind of synthetic fabric. Then we come to books of magic, where the garb appears to be tending towards medieval times, with robes and hoods and long cloaks.

But what happens, in these books, when the seasons change? Is there any mention at all of the need, say in November, to perhaps put on an additional layer of clothing (or take off a layer of clothing if you are in the Southern Hemisphere)? What is mentioned, and where? Think of the Harry Potter books, and how it's mentioned that the castle gets cold come winter time! Hermione had her blue flame fire for them to warm their hands over, and there is mention of the bulky sweaters that Mrs. Weasley knits!

What is the book, who is it by, and what is happening that the garb changes as the seasons progress?

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