Some thoughts this week

Finishing up the readings, I have several thoughts on my mind to throw on the table. I didn't care for the Tighe article, "Reviving Ophelia with Young Adult Literature." It wasn't Tighe I didn't care for, but the author Pipher (also named Piper a couple of times) she referred to throughout. I just didn't feel a personal connection to Pipher's ideas. Some examples:

"...young girls are 'pressured to sacrifice their wholeness in order to be loved. Like Ophelia, all are in danger of drowning'" (58/177).

"Pipher claims that young girls are pressured by society 'to split into true and false selves'" (56/175).

My first reaction was the feeling that Pipher was generalizing all adolescent females, in turn keeping in place the stereotypes that women have of being helpless, pressured, and out of control. I may be going overboard, but it was my initial reaction. On a positive note, I did like the literature presented, including Speak (which I read for this week).

I actually enjoyed the Chick Lit chapter, and I immediately thought of Sex in the City before it was even mentioned. I connected with the idea of postfeminism immediately. When I initially responded to Janet's questions for Week 5, I had yet to read this chapter. I used to gather with my friends to watch episodes of Sex in the City, and we would talk about the characters and stories for hours. We would always identify with different characters based on our habits, beliefs, etc. I unconsciously connect with this form of chick lit, not because I want to be like some of the characters, but there are moments when I relate to certain struggles and decisions they have to make.

I completely agree with Stacy regarding "Defining the Feminist Children's Novel." I underlined the definition of feminism that she mentioned. Looking at feminism through this light is much more realistic than the stereotypes that I strogly believed and was strongly against.

I really hope we discuss the female aggression issue in class because I have several comments. I am embarrassed to admit it, but there have been many times where I have said out loud that women are crazy bitches deep down. I have had my moments, and I have definitely witnessed some aggression from other women. In my experience, women are more vendictive and hurtful towards others than men; this is not to say that men in general are any better or worse. I'm sure these last few sentences have gotten the water boiling.

The multicultural issue is definitely one deserving of much attention. I am still working on finishing up both selections, but from what I have read, I feel it is very important for students to connect to cultures outside their own. I have had students who are reluctant to read anything that's not from their own way of life, but when they find that one thing they have in common, like strict parents and such, their eyes seem to open. The hate seems to go away a little (that is, if hate was an issue). Aside from multicultural literature, I think that the foreign exchange programs are wonderful. It's like hands-on learning. More on this tomorrow night :)

I've rambled on enough. I just wanted to express a few comments for all the readings. The book Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson, was a good choice for this week. Many issues are covered, including nearly absent parents, the struggle of acceptance and friendships, overcoming trauma, and trying to rebuild life. Therese, I hope we get a chance to talk about the book tomorrow. Until then....