The Road from Coorain

 Word Count: 252 words

Jill Kerr Conway says, "people distrusted intellectuals. Australians mocked anyone with 'big ideas' and found them specially laughable in women" (146). 

 This quote did not sit right with me because of the fact that women's ideas are "laughable." Conway was educated, and a strong woman with bright ideas. This quote demonstrates exactly why women do not speak up when they have amazing ideas and advances, we are scared to be clowned or doubted. This often dulls the sparkle of woman, Conway luckily not letting this thought get to her. We learn of Conway's life, born in 1934, growing up in Australia and how she eventually moves to the United States to become a historian as she grows up. This is another coming of age story that we have now read as we read her growth in Australia as it separates from under England. She had a great childhood but helped thoroughly with farm work, until the drought and death of her father. Jill then watches her family fall apart in front of her eyes as she has to hold the weight of it all. Through this she was able to be educated, and take a step back to look at her mom's hold over her life, finally seeing her mother was cunning and controlling. I can not imagine the difficulty of seeing someone so strong and important to you (your mother) decline mentally in front of your eyes.She studied history at Radcliffe College which was huge for her educational and professional development.