My pleasure, Natalie! I love the way that you write, blending your depiction of that lovely Munter painting with other literary depictions of shopping, and the historical background of the Sambournes - purchasing clothes as a form of independence and self-expression.
Thank you Ann, your encouragement means a lot. I started reading Virginia Woolf's diaries recently and already references to shopping are coming up. Makes me excited to write more on this in future.
I am delighted to have encountered your engaging piece! Many of my students have not encountered the writings of Elizabeth Gaskell previously, and I enjoy teaching _North & South_ to introduce her distinctive vision of female empowerment through the cultivation of empathetic understanding of the marginalized at a deeply personal level. Your analysis of women’s autonomous projections & expressions of self-determination through shopping in this era is very discerning!
Thank you so much. I'm yet to read North and South, but looking forward to it very much. Gaskell's empathy is one of the reasons I enjoy her writing so much. I will never forget those early chapters in Mary Barton where she describes the living conditions of the Manchester workers.
You are very welcome! I think you will enjoy it very much, particularly Gaskell’s intriguing discussion of ethically charged forms of female autonomous expression in the novel. I look forward to reading your upcoming posts!
I loved your vivid descriptions of the botanical prints exhibition and the personal touch you added by sharing your grandfather’s gardening passion. The insights into the history and significance of women's botanical drawings were truly inspiring.
Thank you Jon. I think it's fascinating how gardens provided women with some of their first professional opportunities. I've learned that botanical prints and still-life flower paintings are also included as part of another exhibition at Tate Britain focusing on the first professional women artists. Looking forward to learning more about it.
What an interesting piece, thank you. I should try some more Collins! I do like Somerset Maugham, his short stories particularly, but found Of Human Bondage heavy going.
Thanks so much Sarah. I think Basil is my favourite Wilkie Collins so far. I enjoyed Armadale a lot, but it is rather long! I understand what you mean about Of Human Bondage. I thought there were some incredible, jaw dropping moments with Mildred but it lacks the urgency and pace of some of the other novels I've read by him. I'm thinking of Liza of Lambeth and Up At The Villa both of which I loved. I haven't tried any of his short stories yet, but thanks for the recommendation, it sounds like I'll enjoy them. Adding them to my list.
Thank you so much for sharing @Ann Kennedy Smith
My pleasure, Natalie! I love the way that you write, blending your depiction of that lovely Munter painting with other literary depictions of shopping, and the historical background of the Sambournes - purchasing clothes as a form of independence and self-expression.
Thank you Ann, your encouragement means a lot. I started reading Virginia Woolf's diaries recently and already references to shopping are coming up. Makes me excited to write more on this in future.
So pleased, Natalie. Hope you write about Woolf and shopping - and have a look at Harriet Baker’s Rural Hours, she is great on Woolf’s shopping lists!
Thank you for that recommendation Ann. Rural Hours sounds wonderful, definitely adding it to my list!
I am delighted to have encountered your engaging piece! Many of my students have not encountered the writings of Elizabeth Gaskell previously, and I enjoy teaching _North & South_ to introduce her distinctive vision of female empowerment through the cultivation of empathetic understanding of the marginalized at a deeply personal level. Your analysis of women’s autonomous projections & expressions of self-determination through shopping in this era is very discerning!
Thank you so much. I'm yet to read North and South, but looking forward to it very much. Gaskell's empathy is one of the reasons I enjoy her writing so much. I will never forget those early chapters in Mary Barton where she describes the living conditions of the Manchester workers.
You are very welcome! I think you will enjoy it very much, particularly Gaskell’s intriguing discussion of ethically charged forms of female autonomous expression in the novel. I look forward to reading your upcoming posts!
Thank you! Looking forward to discussing North and South when it reaches the top of my book pile!
I loved your vivid descriptions of the botanical prints exhibition and the personal touch you added by sharing your grandfather’s gardening passion. The insights into the history and significance of women's botanical drawings were truly inspiring.
Thank you Jon. I think it's fascinating how gardens provided women with some of their first professional opportunities. I've learned that botanical prints and still-life flower paintings are also included as part of another exhibition at Tate Britain focusing on the first professional women artists. Looking forward to learning more about it.
That sounds wonderful and is something that should be an inspiration to other artists.
What an interesting piece, thank you. I should try some more Collins! I do like Somerset Maugham, his short stories particularly, but found Of Human Bondage heavy going.
Thanks so much Sarah. I think Basil is my favourite Wilkie Collins so far. I enjoyed Armadale a lot, but it is rather long! I understand what you mean about Of Human Bondage. I thought there were some incredible, jaw dropping moments with Mildred but it lacks the urgency and pace of some of the other novels I've read by him. I'm thinking of Liza of Lambeth and Up At The Villa both of which I loved. I haven't tried any of his short stories yet, but thanks for the recommendation, it sounds like I'll enjoy them. Adding them to my list.