My Life on the Road Thoughts
Out of the three choices given to the class, My Life on the Road by Gloria Steinem was the autobiography that peaked my interest. This was mostly because Professor Hansen described Gloria as one of the pioneers of the feminist movement in the United States, yet I had never even heard her name before. I purchased the book not knowing what to expect but quickly became invested in the book.
The first chapter discusses her childhood and subsequent coming of age and her relationship with her parents. Knowing how successful she was, I was shocked to read about how she was raised. Her childhood epitomizes the title of the book "My Life on the Road", as she rarely had a "home" as most people know one. Her father being a traveling salesman meant she was always on the road helping bring in money. Her mother dealing with severe mental health issues meant Gloria often put herself second to take care of her. The chapter made me realize that just because a person doesn't have the "stable" upbringing I was so fortunate to have, it doesn't mean they can't flourish in life. It was beautiful to read Gloria's reflection on special moments with her parents and even being grateful for the qualities they individually passed on to her. She didn't know it while she was in it, but her life on the road molded her and taught her important life skills.
The next chapter discussed the importance of talking circles in her life. When reading the title, I wasn't quite sure what a talking circle was. Through different examples, such as survivors of disaster and national woman conferences, I began to understand the meaning of talking circles. I found it fascinating that Gloria described them as cornerstones of society until plague and famine hit, causing patriarchy and democracy to become the dominant form of debate and decision-making. It made me realize that talking circles take place in daily life, whether it be at a bar discussing current affairs or clubs on university campuses. I relate to Gloria's appreciation for talking circles as a means of debate and achieving objectives.
So far I've really enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more.
The first chapter discusses her childhood and subsequent coming of age and her relationship with her parents. Knowing how successful she was, I was shocked to read about how she was raised. Her childhood epitomizes the title of the book "My Life on the Road", as she rarely had a "home" as most people know one. Her father being a traveling salesman meant she was always on the road helping bring in money. Her mother dealing with severe mental health issues meant Gloria often put herself second to take care of her. The chapter made me realize that just because a person doesn't have the "stable" upbringing I was so fortunate to have, it doesn't mean they can't flourish in life. It was beautiful to read Gloria's reflection on special moments with her parents and even being grateful for the qualities they individually passed on to her. She didn't know it while she was in it, but her life on the road molded her and taught her important life skills.
The next chapter discussed the importance of talking circles in her life. When reading the title, I wasn't quite sure what a talking circle was. Through different examples, such as survivors of disaster and national woman conferences, I began to understand the meaning of talking circles. I found it fascinating that Gloria described them as cornerstones of society until plague and famine hit, causing patriarchy and democracy to become the dominant form of debate and decision-making. It made me realize that talking circles take place in daily life, whether it be at a bar discussing current affairs or clubs on university campuses. I relate to Gloria's appreciation for talking circles as a means of debate and achieving objectives.
So far I've really enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more.
Comments
Post a Comment