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...Their Eyes Were Watching God, by Zora Neale Hurston, for Lit. I know this sounds terrible, but I really, really don't know what to think of it. I know it's a classic, supposedly, and you know, everyone is supposed to revere those classics like they're the second incarnation of Frank Sinatra or something, but, forgive me. I really don't know what to think. Any thoughts from EMs or otherwise? Pros? Cons? Have I become so spiteful towards any literature deemed to be "culturally relevant" that I'm unable to appreciate a good book any longer?
But back to the book - I think I hate it. But don't quote me on that yet.
I get that it's a book about blacks and the influence of prejudice and slavery even after the fact of its legal passing-away. That's all cool. I'm just sick of this "empowered women" thing. Look, look. If I didn't think women had brains at all in their heads, I certainly wouldn't be going to college. If I thought that all we're good for is mopping floors, then I wouldn't be reading, writing, and trying to educate myself culturally and spiritually. But, really. How come feminine enlightenment always must come, according to the literature I'm required to read for this class, in the form of leaving husbands, letting children go to pot, or any number of "I am woman, hear me roar and dump my family because I'm too good for them" type deals? Can't there ever be fulfillment in being an educated, witty, smart wife, mother, teacher, and friend? Not that everyone gets married, or has kids, but who knows? Anyways, the book doesn't exactly say all that. It's just supposed to go along with our current class theme of "Women and Self-Discovery." I've already discovered who I am, thankyouverymuch, and it didn't involve me scorning the ever-oppressive Man, sleeping with anybody, or burning my bras. I mean, aren't the sixties all over with? Aren't we already liberated? Do women REALLY want to be these huge powerhouses of rage and aggression towards men? Am I really supposed to go into criminal justice and become a top-paid lawyer, just to show The Man that I can and will be better than him? I think women should just be secure enough in their own brains and abilities to shut up and stop talking about themselves like so many ten-year-olds trying to prove the ultimate coolness of their new sneakers to friends during recess. It only makes us look insecure, and I really wish these people didn't represent my sex. Heck, I'm secure. I know that there are plenty of guys (my brothers included) who aren't strong-stomached enough to clean up puke and wipe bums and poke people with needles. I can do those things, so what have I got to prove?
Whatever. The glass ceiling be darned! I just want to be a nurse. Even expensive corporate Male CEOs have to get pneumonia sometime, and when they're hacking up phlegm and I have to change their bedlinens, we'll all know who the boss is anyhow.
heh heh.