To be completely honest, I haven’t read every single reading that was assigned for a course. In high school and now college, I started out the term strong and did the daily or weekly readings. However, as the weeks went by I tended to slack off and occasionally watch Netflix instead. I love so many different subjects and going to a liberal arts college allows me to explore my manny passions, but nevertheless I have learned that the readings that have spoken to me the most have all been in my literature classes. What I have also come to realize is that most of the books I have enjoyed are about women; their feelings, their expected roles in society, their class, and coming of age. Here are two assigned readings that stood out to me in my recent literature courses.
In high school I absolutely loved reading A Room with a View by E.M. Forster.It is a classic coming of age story about a young woman named Lucy and her strict cousin Charlotte visiting Italy. This book involves romance between Lucy and a man she meets there named George, but is filled with so much more. There are interactions between different characters who are from different classes that view youth and coming of age differently. The novel looks at femininity and the roles women are supposed to play and follow in society. What I loved most about this book was the simple word “muddle”. There were times when characters were in muddles, especially Lucy. She lied to different characters, but she also lied to herself, especially about her true feelings. Her character can relate to so many different female readers, about lying, not knowing who they truly are, or what they feel, and going down vicious paths in attempts to figure themselves out. Spoiler, there is a happy ending that isn't cheesy I promise! A film was later made, but per usual does not give the book as much justice. (P.S. Thank you to my wonderful and amazing high school literature teacher Ms. Comesotti for showing me this book and showing me how to love literature!)
In college I have taken three literature classes and have done most of the readings. One book I absolutely could not put down was Letters from a Peruvian Woman by Françoise de Graffigny. The book revolves around Peruvian woman names Zilia, who was captured and then saved by a french sailor named Chevalier Déterville who teaches and immerses her in the language and culture of France. During her time in France, Zilia writes letters to her fiancé, critiquing the culture and its people. She is constantly analyzing its society, its frivolity, materialism, and most importantly, the role women play in society. The ending of the novel will not be spoiled, but it is known to be extremely controversial. Graffigny refused to rewrite or change the ending, which I love!! What I appreciated most about this book was the fact that Zilia viewed another culture as an outsider, and explained her own culture and her own morals. While reading, the reader learns that although Zilia's culture is viewed as primitive, her customs and values seem to surpass what she has been taught. Even today it makes us question our own society, and other cultures that we might find primative.
If you are ever faced with either of these books, no matter your gender, I highly recommend you try the first chapter, first page, or at least the first sentence. I can assure you'll be hooked.
