It seems like...

I see that there's some kind of theme running through the posts so far. A focus on 'mothering,' (or 'grand-mothering, for that matter) is an interesting way to continue. I think it would be great to watch "Woman Under the Influence" (dir. by John Cassavettes) - Claire and I can vouch for this one :). If anyone can get a hold of it, I think you'll really love it, especially in light of the theme of mental illness...

Don't worry, Sheli, I'm not wussing out on publishing my piece. L'at, l'at :).

I'd like to begin a discussion--if all are willing--of women, objectivity, and mental illness. It's been done a thousand times before, but maybe not in light of the kinds of stories on the blog so far. Sheli, about your piece, I find the description of your narrator's grandmother to be very revealing of the time she's come out of. As her writer, you have used her body, her dress, and the things she expresses regarding her age to confirm her social status. Yet (specifically as a woman), her status would fade if not for the great concern she has for material goods, social events, even how you describe her with her "head thrown back in elation" in the social pages photos. So this lifestyle, this attitude, this "glamour girl" way about her -- these things made her a woman of status, of importance. This position was more important to her than the livelihood of her own family. So, what happens when a woman who was once the queen of the ball begins to lose her sense of self? When she became ill, the grandmother all of a sudden attached herself to the family, re-defined herself as a loving grandmother who finally accepts that her granddaughter will call her by her family name, and not 'Gladys'. It's fascinating to me that she opened to those around her when she became ill, while many others with a disease such as this will close themselves off out of humiliation or anger. Somehow this made her more "motherly," more "grandmotherly," and in a sense, more "womanly." It's a personal piece, from what I understand, but if you're willing (and anyone else is), I think it's an interesting discussion to have, not simply about one particular woman, but about women as mothers, let's say. What does old age do to a woman's sense of female self? Let me know what you all think...

And watch that movie!