Introduction to Anthology

Blog #1

266 words

 Throughout this introduction in the Norton Book of Women's Lives, I loved hearing that the author, Phyllis Rose, wanted to dive deep into not your average women (models, women raised to do their duty, etc.), but women that were wild and lived their lives to the fullest. She wasn't sure what that exactly looked like and how you can define "living life to the fullest," but I relate to her in her interests of women and their successes. Something that stood out to me are stories of Africa, for example the book, Out of Africa. Rose says that, "colonial life in Africa had become both a fad and a phobia." This has always been extremely interesting to me, wondering how the other half lives and how women can succeed running a coffee plantation (for example) as they are coming to find themselves against all odds and lots of troubles along the way. I begin to wonder what she encountered and if she built long-lasting relationships with African American women in her area. Also, when reading the style of how this textbook is laid out, it is smart and effective that Rose makes the suggestion of what story to read next at the bottom in the headnotes. This is a type of textbook where readers (including me) would jump all around to what peaks their interest, which is awesome how helpful Rose is with this. I think it's inspiring to see where women have come from and what they have persevered from in so many different ways which further excites me to dive in to these books.