Evil Queens
Folk wise in the ways of Middle Earth dispute the origin of the Orcs. Some say that they descend from Elves, once noble and bright, degraded by the dark arts of Morgoth. Others explain that, from the moment they first drew breath, they have always been nasty, brutish, and inclined to dine on the flesh of their platoon-mates.
In much the same way, scholars of the peculiar institution of our age offer two explanations for the Evil Queens of often found in classrooms. Some say that they were born with a deep desire to crush the curiosity of their students. Others that, once upon a time, before falling prey to the cult of curricular conformity, they possessed as much inherent love of learning as children with happier destinies.
Whatever the cause, Evil Queens suffer from an appalling shortage of archetypical female energy. That is, they lack the joie de vivre of the Maiden, the empathy of the Mother, and the wisdom of the Matriarch. (In making this point, I tip my hat to the indispensable Louise Perry.)
