Weight of a Flame - Truth and Fiction (part 4)

Hopefully, this is the last part in my Truth and Fiction description of Weight of a Flame.

Chapter 14

What's true: The visit to the Sinapiuses, including Emilio's fall and the decision to take Theodora to Schweinfurt. Fanino's news are also true.

What's fiction: as usual, the details of the events. There is no indication that Francoise and Olympia went ice-skating, nor that Olympia was not good at sports. I added the scene to lighten up the gloomy progression of events, and I made her unsuccessful in sports because she excelled so much in her studies. It's true, however, that in one of her letters she applauded a young man for putting his studies over sports. The idea of ice-skating was also inspired by Bruegel's painting "Hunters in the Snow" (see detail here - uploaded from Wikimedia Commons).

Chapter 15

What's true: The news about Linz and Olympia's letter. It's also true that a group of scholars and believers met quite often at the Grunthlers' house to discuss books and Scriptures.

What's fiction: Again, the description of events. I omitted to mention that Olympia had a maid at that time, but the omission was just to keep the chapter simple and focused on the main event. Even with the maid, I am sure Olympia had to do quite a bit of work in the home, especially since in her letters she complained about the girl's disappointing performance and behavior.

Chapter 16-17

What's true: The siege, the plague, Andreas' illness, the cellar

What's fiction: Some of the details. We especially don't know what type of illness was this "plague".

Chapter 18

What's true: The escape, the itinerary, the imprisonment. Many events, including Olympia's reaction to the walk, are recorded verbatim from her description.

What's fiction: Some of the details

Chapter 19

What's true: The main story. It's also true that Elizabeth gave Olympia a dress.

What's fiction: Some of the details. We don't know how Olympia found out about her illness. We also don't know if she had bloody issues. Her description of her symptoms leads to think it was tuberculosis, so I wrote accordingly, but it's not certain.

Chapter 20

What's true: Jerome was really a student of Olympia. Much of the conversation is taken from their correspondence. It's also true that Olympia was invited to court. Some scholars have doubted that she was offered a position as lecturer of Greek at the university, but the appointment is mentioned in some documents written by her contemporaries.

What's fiction: Some of the details

Epilogue

What's true: Everything!

Happy reading!