Instagram credit: co.nfused

National Poetry Library, London

theurbanteller

Thinking about how Bodies (2023) uses "representation" in such an intentional way. Every one of the four protagonists has an aspect about them which heavily affects how they relate to the era they live in. And how all four of them are police despite or even because of that.

Hillinghead. Gay in the Victorian era. He's defensive enough about it that he actively tries to arrest Henry when he finds incriminating photographs that display Henry's own sexuality. Hillinghead can't afford to let anything like that slip because what if it reflects back on him? Reflects back on his family, who he does care for dearly. He joined the police to hide and he plays the part for years until he realises what he may have missed out on.

Karl. Jewish in the 1940s. Changes the name he goes by to a name that sounds more stereotypically English, not because it's something he wants to be called, but so that he blends in. He hasn't been to the synagogue in years but he still knows where it is and he still returns there when he's not sure where else he can go. He's personable, but ultimately, not particularly trusting. And yet, he bonds with Esther almost immediately - a shared background goes a long way.

Shahara. Muslim in the 2020s. Is heavily aware of how race and perceived religion make a situation more dangerous when the police are involved. Is strong-armed by superiors into trying to approach Muslim witnesses because "only she is in the position to" and they know that she ultimately wants to help. She can't afford to refuse when she knows the consequences if she doesn't.

Iris. Disabled in the 2050s. This is a time where it's implied the world has largely left aside conflict relating to sexuality or religion. But despite mobility aids being available in her time, they're only available to those who "contribute". She has internalised the idea that she must sacrifice her autonomy to the state in order to live a life similar to an abled person, and that she must be thankful for this opportunity. Her brother had the same choice as her though, and he chose differently.

Girls who smoke together stay together 😮‍💨

- camera Dump #103

where do you guys think that the first support group is? like

what sort of building is this?

i think my favorite master in fallen london is mr irons just because i love its goofy sign gimmick but honestly. as much as i hate to say it. mr fires is way higher on the tierlist than it deserves to be

is it just me or the Philly crowd for wrestlemania night one was so shit?!?!?

Petition to destroy the Shard and accept that London isn’t a city of tall buildings.

the version of one of booth’s maps that my aunt got me has both milbank prison and bedlam asylum, truly a tumblrina’s dream

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Standing on top of a hill and witnessing your city on the dawn light, the flat clouded sky letting that golden light become muted to where staring the way of the rising sun no longer hurts, standing in that cold and looking upon these great two cites where millions of people live.

I really love the way fog enshrouds and covers us like a blanket, makes my nose pink with cold, erases the river and the city skyline, a blank slate for an imagined new beginning

I envy people who can just go to theatres in london whenever they want, like it's nothing. or, well, to theaters in madrid or barcelona. I went to a musical in barcelona years ago with my high school's theater class (I wasn't in the class, they just needed more people to travel there and I joined in) and it was so fucking cool. not only watching a good and funny musical in a big city and theatre, but walking on the city's giant streets at night... and the giant buildings... I miss it. I want to live in a big city and visit cool places every day

🤨 What do they mean by this...

Greenwich park, February 2023