The Waif Woman

"The Waif Woman" by Robert Louis Stevenson is a story inspired by Icelandic sagas, exploring vanity, greed, and the supernatural through the lives of complex female characters. Aud, a woman driven by envy, becomes obsessed with the wealth of Thorgunna, a waif woman who arrives on a ship and is invited into Aud’s home. Aud’s attempts to steal Thorgunna’s treasures lead to the waif woman’s death under mysterious conditions, unleashing a curse that haunts Aud. The rest of the story follows Aud’s downfall as she suffers from the deadly consequences of her greed. The story focuses on identity, mortality, and the price of avarice, creating a haunting and thought-provoking experience that explores the complexities of human desires.