Paul Whybrow
Full Member
- Jun 20, 2015
'Reading groups, readings, breakdowns of book sales all tell the same story: when women stop reading, the novel will be dead.'
Ian McEwan
Ian McEwan
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He may be right. The Dark Ages in Europe? Hardly anyone read. Reading and writing were for priests. The military rulers did not waste their time when they could be fighting or torturing heretics. Ah, yes, religion ruled. But there were the troubadours. But not much creative writing then. Or am I getting this all wrong? Should probably re-read The Handmaid's Tale.'Reading groups, readings, breakdowns of book sales all tell the same story: when women stop reading, the novel will be dead.'
Ian McEwan
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Sappho, Greek poet, and she wasn't the first of the female storytellers. They were there with the birth of every child, singing the songs, preparing the folk tales (of their era), urging caution through the use of tales and fables. Every mother wants her child to survive, and every mother does her best to give them the tools. Mostly, those tools are through the 'normal' use of the things they have at hand: songs, rituals, fables, etc. This was the times when life was full of dangers, and mothers needed to arm their children against the terrors that lay beyond the boundary of 'home'.He may be right. The Dark Ages in Europe? Hardly anyone read. Reading and writing were for priests. The military rulers did not waste their time when they could be fighting or torturing heretics. Ah, yes, religion ruled. But there were the troubadours. But not much creative writing then. Or am I getting this all wrong? Should probably re-read The Handmaid's Tale.
In my little world, mothers sing to their children and tell them stories. Then they read them stories. Then they teach them to read stories and help them understand the stories. Goddesses of wisdom, those mothers. Meanwhile, goddesses who nurse, diaper, love, and nurture in every way. Every one of them going beyond any expectations. Every one a goddess.
Does anyone know the history of women and literacy? Someone must have researched this. As an undergrad, I took a course in feminist theology (got an A) but have not kept up on the subject.