Final Blog Post :(

* What strikes you as important in all the discussions we have had? What have these texts made you think about, reconsider, or wonder?


This semester in Women's Literature has forced me to read a lot of books that I would not have normally picked out. But surprisingly, I enjoyed and truly learned a lot from the selection of books. Initially in this course, I was not as interested in the themes of women because the first two books we read were not as interesting or influencing. Krik Krak and 19 Varieties of Gazelle were good general books about women's stories and challenges, but it wasn't until we got further into the reading list that the books began to inspire me and really hit home for me. Many of the stories that we have read in class are about women's struggles that are not identified or directed on a daily basis or even heard about once in a while, so reading these repeated themes drive them into your heart and show their significance in society. Some themes that I found were important in these books and important as a young woman to read, were being oneself, the importance of a support system, and taking charge of ones own life. These themes and their role in each book has caused to rethink and wonder about my own life: whether or not I am living up to my fullest potential and what I would do in these characters' situations. Reading these books has also caused me to be thankful for my own life and all of the people I am surrounded by. Whenever I feel that I am falling off course of my own life, I should reconsider how I can get back on track by looking back to these stories. Although realistically I know these books aren't going to be the first things that pop into my head, I know that what they have instilled in me will help guide me subconsciously. 
Some of the books that I found most helpful in leading me towards finding my womanhood and sense of self security and path were: The Vagina Monologues, I am an Emotional Creature, Push, and Two or three things I know for sure. These books were most influential to me personally, although I found other books to be just as interesting. The Vagina Monologues, and I am an Emotional Creature were the first round of books that initially threw me off guard for their bluntness, but once I got past that reaction, I realized how helpful they are.  Reading books such as these force you to hear stories about women and girls that may make you cringe, but by reading them, I felt empowered through them. The characters who went through rape, incest, sexual discovery, and family problems are just like any other person but what they went through made them stronger and if they can be that strong, then why can't I? I know that many of my peers did not like I am an Emotional Creature, but I found that it doesn't hurt to hear stories of younger girls, especially when you went through all of that and felt the same. It's always good to know that other people have the same thoughts or feelings than you: we're all related in a sense. Push was an extraordinary book that every possible theme and horrible situation combined in one book and one character. This book showed me the importance of courage and dedication, but also the importance or influence of a support group. Precious was in the worst possible situation that I could have ever imagined, but she took the initiative and went to this special school where she met incredible women who helped her find her true potential and path in life. I would like to think that an epilogue for this book would be a happy ending for Precious, maybe it is my optimism or that her self esteem would continue to grow with her support group and take her to new levels.  Two or three things I know for sure is a book that I was really into. The little quotes of advice she game before telling a new anecdote really cause me to reconsider their advice in my own life. I have learned to appreciate these books in unique ways, and overall this course. A women's literature course was empowering for me. It taught me to listen to other stories of women and learn from them and each of their experiences. These books were all very helpful and caused me to wonder a lot about life and women and their rights, I really enjoyed this class!

Two or three things I know for sure

As I was reading this book, I found myself asking the question, "What is her purpose in writing an autobiography?" My answers for this question changes as I get deeper into the book and still, after finishing the book, I find this question really debatable. To begin, I thought her purpose was to prove to the readers that she found a new way of life for herself, different from her own family's and that she was not stuck in that horrible cycle like most women in her family. The women in her family were subject to abuse, mentally and probably physically, and left accepting themselves as the stereotype of "white trash." Growing up, Dorothy knew she did not want to be like her mother or her aunt, and she hated how people in her town thought so low of her as to call her a "not virgin" even at a young age. However, further into the book, as Dorothy is now grown, we see her slowly turning into her mother. Her mother and other female relatives seemed to have lost their femininity, and Dorothy seems to have done the same. One picture shows her with a "boy" haircut holding a gun, about to fire, and some could say that this shows how she strayed away from feminism, just like her mother. But once again she seems to have found her own self, when she started doing karate. She began to love her body and herself, thus again straying away from all that symbolized her mother and family. What I found as a conclusion to this blog and this book, is that Dorothy Allison's purpose to writing this book is just to tell a story: her story of her own personal experiences in finding herself within all her family stereotypes and difficulties. Growing up she longed to hear more about stories of her mother, grandmother, and other family members, yet never got the full story. Now this is her own chance to tell a story and retell the stories of her family members so that her son and even others can read it and possible learn a little bit from her experiences.



Since this is the last blog for the whole class, I decided to try and be a little creative and create my own "two or three things I know for sure." So here goes, two or three things I know for sure is to always trust your first, gut instinct. Whether you are answering questions on a test, or deciding what to eat for lunch, always go with your first instinctive decision because it usually right and best fitting for you. I have found that throughout my time at Southern, I have make decisions purely on my instincts and what kind of vibes I get. If I have to question something, then I should not do it and thus, my advice like Dorothy Allison's is to be an independent thinker and follow my own instincts.

Family Ties

Two or three things I know for Sure has been my second favorite book we have read all semester. Suprisingly enough, Push has been my favorite book we have read, partially because I was so incredibly moved by this book in a way that other books haven't moved me. And now, I am pleasantly shocked to say that the last book of the semester is my other favorite book, and I even have motivation to read it when I don't have motivation to read much other class readings. Anyways, the reason I feel that this book has sparked my interest is mainly the writing style. Dorothy Allison's writing style is similar to most of my favorite authors' styles in that I feel as though the author is directly talking to me. It is as though she is telling the story to me on a Sunday afternoon and I love how personable she is in her stories.

From what I have read so far, and I have gotten halfway, I noticed that the main theme of her stories is her family ties, but mostly the dysfunctionality of her family. When the substitute teacher first assigns the project of a family tree, I thought nothing of it mostly because I've even gotten that assignment while I was in elementary school. For her family though, this was a big to-do and I felt like a huge family secret. Her mother was reluctant to go into further detail about her family tree and it seems that she is insensitive to those that are dead or that are not on speaking terms with her. For Dorothy, her mother's reluctance causes her to be more suspicious of her family background and curious to push to investigate even more. What I also like about this book is that all of her family questions and possibilities makes you wonder about your own family ties and trees, causing the audience to feel relatable to her as a character and person. Her family's relationships with one another are also one to note and something I find interesting. In class we discussed how the family was harsh towards one another with the men calling the wives or sisters or daughters ugly bitches. I cannot even imagine how this family dynamic would have effected Dorothy growing up, but it is clear in how her mother acts that she has been effected it. Those cold and distant family ties seem to be a factor in the book and will follow Dorothy even after her mother's death.

 I am excited to keep reading to see if she ever finds out more on her past family ties and if she ever recovers this information, if it does it change her opinion of her family at all.

Dr. Tree and The Shawl

What is the significance of Dr. Tree and his study? Why does Rosa reject his version of reality? What does she object to? Can you make any connections between her attitude toward Tree and her attitude toward Stella?


Dr. Tree has an interestingly signifiant role in Rosa's life for many different reasons. She hears about Dr. Tree from Stella, so her immediate reaction to first meeting him is negative because of his connection with Stella. Anything that relates back to Stella causes Rosa to cringe inside and have a poor attitude about, and you can see this clearly in her relationship with Dr. Tree. This doctor is making a case study on people who "survived" the Holocaust and their direct connection to it. His extrinsic way of working for the money and the recognition is what makes Rosa so mad. Many people she has met in her antique shop do not care about the personal story behind the object and I think that Rosa feels as though she is an object in Dr. Tree's study, in which he does not care about her personal Holocaust story or about how she has been affected by it: just that she survived. All that Dr. Tree represents brings Rosa to hate him and all of those people in her store who pretend to care when they really just want it for "show." Dr. Tree thinks that because Rosa was released from the concentration camps, her reality is that she survived safely. But Rosa never has accepted her life after the camps as reality because without Magda she has no future or a past. Her time spent in the camps was her reality, as she even told Mr. Persky. Rosa does not like Dr. Tree for forcing this survivor reality on her and she does not like him even more because now Stella's reality is that she was a survivor and must move on with her life. Rosa hates that Stella has moved on because she feels as though she's forgotten about it. So she has rejected Stella and Dr. Tree all together because they stand for this modern idea of Holocaust survivors and she is not part of those who moved on with their lives, she still is in camp reality and is still holding onto her personal story.