Stuff About Books and Literature

Doris Lessing, the Nobel prize-winning British author of over 50 novels, has died, aged 94. Doris Lessing. Image by Elke Wetzig Doris Lessing , born Doris May Tayler in Persia (now Iran) on October 22, 1919, has died, aged 94. Her parents were British and in 1925, the family moved to the British colony in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). At aged thirteen, she left school. She has been quoted as saying that "unhappy childhoods seem to produce fiction writers." In 2007, aged 88, she was awarded the Nobel prize in literature and was described by the Academy as "that epicist of the female experience, who with scepticism, fire and visionary power has subjected a divided civilisation to scrutiny." Famous for The Golden Notebook , 1962,  The Grass Is Singing , 1949, and numerous other works, her most recent novel is Alfred and Emily , 2008, which she had said would be her last book. Read more about Doris Lessing at Author Doris Lessing 'prolific and uncon...

Marriage proposals and problems. Image by Imagaday In Anita Brookner's, Hotel du Lac , Edith Hope's approach to relationships with men exposes her underlying need to opt for a stereotypical female role. Edith Hope, through her discriminating physical observations of the female patrons of Hotel du Lac, stereotypes defines the boundaries of her own sex. In addition, her approach towards men reveals her willingness to succumb to a woman's stereotypical secondary role. Stereotypical Female Behaviour Edith’s attitude throughout her liaison with David highlights the ease with which she compromises her physical and mental space. “Out of love for him” (114), Edith adapts her personality and schedule to suit his needs for “she knows he [is] a man who [cannot] deny himself anything” (86). Edith also adopts a nurturing role by concentrating their relationship around “‘food fit for heroes’” (29); she spends “the daylight hours... waiting for him” (30), and she “behave[s] w...

Stereotypes? Image by Imagaday In Anita Brookner's novel, Hotel du Lac, the attitude and narrative of romantic novelist, Edith Hope, correspond with society's stereotypical view of women. For Edith Hope, the romantic novelist of Hotel du Lac, writing offers a form of self-expression through escapism. Through this medium Edith exposes the limits of her experience and imagination. A woman unequipped psychologically to fight against tradition, she complies with and supports social norms through the content of her work. Edith's Novels Support Cultural Prejudices Edith’s narratives of love and romance disregard women in positions of power; instead, they fuel gender role socialisation by reinforcing societal myths. Through her novels, Edith recreates the ideal world she craves for, an environment overflowing with love and protection: “[Edith’s] idea of absolute happiness is to sit in a hot garden all day, reading, or writing, utterly safe in the knowledge that the person...

Image by David Martyn Hunt How can we see the spatial impact of social pressure in Hotel du Lac through motherhood? Hotel du Lac , by Anita Brookner, gives insight into the stereotypical thinking and behaviours that women adopt in order to conform to society's demands. Although at different ends of a continuum, young, beautiful, anorexic Monica and Mrs. Pusey, a widow of “indeterminate age” (17), are both victims of a system controlled by patriarchy. Worthless Widows Mrs Pusey was raised in an era which conditioned young women to become wives and mothers and left them with what Florence Nightingale refers to in her 'family manuscript,"Cassandra," “nothing to do” (Norton 1606). Mrs Pusey’s life echoes the words of Florence Nightingale who asked, “Why have women passion, intellect, moral activity - these three - and a place in society where no one of these three can be exercised?” (Norton 1606). Once married, Mrs Pusey became “completely preoccupied with t...

Tall, thin, beautiful anorexic . Image by Rega photography The female characters' traits in Anita Brookner's novel, Hotel du Lac, allow the reader to understand how society forces women into stereotypical behaviour. Edith Hope, along with the other female guests of Hotel du Lac, exemplifies not only gendered stereotypes but also the fact that despite societal reforms women continue to be marginalised. Tall, Thin, Beautiful Anorexic Edith’s character traits and those of her fellow female guests clearly reveal the effects of environmental constraints. Hidden behind make-up and sophisticated composure, Monica, “the tall thin beauty” (66) “has what is politely referred to as an eating problem” (80). According to Bertram Cohler and Henry Grunebaum, in The Psychology of Mothers, Grandmother, and Daughters: Personality and Childcare in Three Generation Families, 1981, “a [young] woman who shows . . . hunger disturbance . . . is likely to have had a mother who could no...

Exiled to A Swiss hotel by a lake. Image by Ted Drake Anita Brookner's Booker Prize winning novel, Hotel du Lac, reveals how a woman's mental and physical space are limited so as to conform to societal norms. In Anita Brookner’s novel,   Hotel du Lac , 1993, the friends of the protagonist, Edith Hope, a romantic novelist, have exiled her to a Swiss hotel so she can reflect on her ‘misdeeds.’ Considering her apparent 'rebellious' nature, how and why does Edith fit into her new environment? Hotel du Lac Guests are Lonely Women Hotel du Lac’s “recommended” visitors (23), the majority being displaced women, only enhance the hotel’s sombre, out-of-season atmosphere. Edith’s acquaintances at the hotel deem her an appropriate guest for this micro-society, since she “will live up to [its] standards” (15). Edith fits in nicely since she meets these 'standards' through her portrayal of modesty and conformity and her “extremely correct” appearance (1...

Hotel by a lake. Image by David Martyn Hunt Anita Brookner's Booker Prize winning novel, Hotel du Lac , reveals how a female writer's lack of self stems from childhood experiences and stereotyping. In Anita Brookner’s novel, Hotel du Lac (1993), Edith Hope, a romantic novelist, resides in a Swiss hotel in preparation for her return to society. Edith seems to choose to accept her role as a diminished woman despite her achievements, an acceptance that stems from her home life as a child. Edith an Angry Immigrant’s Daughter Edith, the daughter of immigrants and even more so as a woman, has become an unconscious victim of marginalisation. She grew up as a minor within a minority – a circle enclosed within a circle. But even though displaced sociologically, Edith should have benefited from the contiguity of a female, presumably her mother. For Giuliana Giobbi, mentioned in “Blood ties: a case-Study of Mother Daughter relationships in Anita Brookner," by Sara Mai...

Hidden social pressures by the lake. Image by pilottage Anita Brookner's novel, Hotel du Lac , reveals how society limits women's mental and physical space and illustrates women's conformity to societal norms. In Anita Brookner’s novel,   Hotel du Lac , 1993, the protagonist Edith Hope, a romantic novelist, endeavours to fulfill her community’s expectations by normalising her lifestyle through marriage. When Edith transgresses socially accepted behaviour by jilting her fiancé, her cautious friends swiftly remove her to an austere, out of season, Swiss hotel. Hotel du Lac – A Woman’s Forced Exile Even in exile, inherent societal pressures almost force Edith to accept another marriage proposal, but fortunately her involuntary displacement widens her perspective and she desists. Firstly through choice of setting, this novel about a woman’s forced exile reveals how society limits women’s mental and physical space. It also illustrates how women conform to soci...

Why is the rape victim blamed? Image by DaveBleasdale The issues in Helen Benedict's book, Virgin or Vamp: How The Press Covers Sex Crime. Gender, race and class bias affect the coverage of rape still exist. Helen Benedict , a professor at the Graduate School of Journalism, Columbia University, New York, is described as " a novelist and journalist who specializes in issues of social justice ."  Her book, "Virgin or Vamp: How The Press Covers Sex Crimes," published 1992, analyses how “sex, race and class bias affect the coverage of rape” and examines press treatment of four notorious sex crimes of the 80’s. Benedict’s book, published over twenty years ago, explores media coverage issues that have improved through awareness but are still universally relevant today. Press Biased Coverage of Sex Crimes Lust doesn't motivate the assailant. Image by DaveBleasdale As an introduction, Benedict provides a history of press coverage of sex from the nineteenth century ...

Ulysses (Odysseus) and Penelope - Image Francesco Primaticcio In classical literature women rarely pursue heroic acts. Queen Penelope's use of art as a form of resistance in Homer's Odyssey, proves otherwise. Greek heroes defined by adventure not 'house-wifery' Pre-classical and classical Greek literature, such as Homer’s epic poems, the Odyssey and Iliad , often define their heroes through journeys in which struggles against gods, demons or destiny arise. Success affords the hero recognition, honour and fame. In contrast, throughout classic literature, women, confined to their homes, rarely take a physical journey; instead they await their husband's return. Accordingly, ancient Greek culture denies a woman of ‘her journey’ and consequently 'her freedom' to voice her opinions, experiences and insights. Women are not portrayed as adventure seekers but villains or victims The belief that women and home are synonymous is deeply embedded in classical civilisatio...

A woman's world - image by Brizzle Born and Bred Women's Rights and Claim to Space in Society – Then, Now, Later Beating the baby bringing stork - Image  Wikimedia Commons Public Domain Women's movements have fought for women's societal rights to space for over a century. Women have gained space albeit with limited boundaries. Limited physically and mentally- Image Rega photography In Emile, a treatise which describes the difference between males and females, their places in society, and how they should be trained for them, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, the great advocate of individual freedom stated, “ a woman's education [should] be planned in relation to man ” (365). Juanita Williams in her book, Psychology of Women-Behaviour in a Biosocial Context , 1987, states Aristotle, who professed that since woman is an “ unfinished man ” and “ on a lower level of development ,” her role is to be a slave (13). Williams also quotes Nietzsche, as stating that “ Man shall be educate...