For the May Queen shows the excitement of college parties, the sense of new maturity, self-exploration, social inclusion, and developing friendships. While definitely not a moralistic or cautionary tale, we do see some of the realistic dangers of some college experiences: Norma’s frightening bad trip while on acid, the specter of STD’s, friendships and relationships broken over sexual jealousy. There are some negative consequences for women in a world where social boundaries and rules are removed, but underlying cultural assumptions about women remain...
The sometimes scary world of For the May Queen’s dorms reminds me of Eat, Pray, Love author Elizabeth Gilbert (who also chronicles a personal journey of self-discovery among conflicting messages on women, sex, and freedom)’s observations: “…when the patriarchic system was rightfully dismantled, it was not necessarily replaced by another form of protection…If I am truly to become an autonomous woman, then I must take over that role of being my own guardian.”
This novel chronicles Norma’s journey towards learning to protect and define herself, choose who she wants to become and what she values.
4 comments:
Wow. I don't think anything I say will top that review. That's fantastic!
I still need to write that review...god I procrastinate badly.
Wow, a comparison to Eat, Pray, Love! Has Oprah called yet? She should, or at least get Gayle to interview you. ;-)
I posted my quick review(I jumped right in to the fun-stuff) is at my blog.
Sorry I took so long, but I enjoyed reading the story of Norma, a couple of times!!
Thanks for the compliments on my review - enjoyed writing the piece, it made me think!
Sending love in your time of loss...sorry about your cousin.
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