Why I like Postmodern Literature and Modernist Literature

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Happy New Year to Isabella, as well!

I like the way Eliot talks about the Creative Process here.

I finally finished The Rainbow. It took me ... two months? It was verbose, arcane and repetitive, and I'm still interpreting Lawrence's depiction on women. I did like the book when I was able to find its plot.

Next?

Don't you agree that the beginning of "The Rainbow" is a classic in description, though?

The beginning was lovely. With each new generation I felt hope, but then it was dashed. The last two chapters were my favourites although I'm not sure what to make of Ursula. She was self-destructive and made poor choices, but did have redeeming qualities. We'll see how it digests with me over time. I can't disentangle Lawrence from the narrative, and that's been my challenge understanding these women.

I know Ursula had her troubles inwardly; but don't you agree, by the standards of the early 20th century, and despite the strictures put in place for women then, that she was quite an accomplished woman?

I feel like you and Ursula would have been great friends, and would have helped each other.

For her time, she was accomplished in some regard (personal liberation and self-determination), but in others she was weak (integrity, honesty, relationship skill, executive function, empathy). I don't want to give too many spoilers.

I really need to digest her for a little while. She really dodged a bullet pregnancy-wise, otherwise she'd be a fallen woman, no different than Ruth (Eliz. Gaskell).

I get you. You're right about these things.

I believe you would have been a good mentor to her.

I don't like that she failed out of Uni, or some of her other choices which made her appear narcissistic and self-destructive.

I don't like that Lawrence presents women's sexuality as mystic, and then blames them for destroying relationships. She was cruel to Anton. It's all rather complicated. Give me a few weeks to ponder and I'll pipe in. I don't think I would have been her friend, though. She wasn't particularly loving, and a woman can't be exalted for her sexuality alone.

I, definitely, don't exalt women merely for their sexuality.

I have a great admiration for women, and what they had to put up with historically.

I've personally known women who had to raise children without a good man to augment them. Despite this, the children came out successful. If you listen to the narrative of men who had to live without a father, they usually say that the mother was "both a mother and a father" to them.

Not to say that men don't face struggles themselves (no, I'm not a "white knight.")

I understand. I don't think you are that type of sexist man, Korts. I know you aren't.