Michael J. Geier Geier 1
Written communications
Mrs. Allard
04 December 2010
“There isn’t anywhere to go from here is there?” a question that somewhat humorously crept from Doris Lessing’s lips, as she received the box that would change her later life. In that box rested the golden face that we all know Alfred Nobel, and admire as the Nobel Prize. The eldest to ever receive this prize in literature, Ms. Lessing was known as one of the greatest British writers since 1945. The Grass is Singing was her first work that truly declared her a novelist. This tragic story of love and racial differences that could never be overlooked was only the beginning for this sensational and unique woman. She wrote of things that mattered, things that quite obviously gripped her heart. After her novel The Golden Notebook it became more apparent her audience’s hearts were equally entranced. This book was an unbelievable breakthrough, not just for Ms. Lessing, but for British literature as a whole. She reflected the thoughts of a woman named Anna Wulf who kept five personal journals of politics, men and sex, politics, Jungian analysis, and dream interpretation. Ms. Lessing looked to inspire that there are many perspectives to hold in life. These works are set in a list of more amazing stories, fiction and non-fiction, that Ms. Lessing poured most of her life into. What lies behind this daring, empowering female figure who has accomplished the near impossible? Let us dig deeper into one of the many incredible lives of a Nobel Peace Prize winner, Doris Lessing.
Doris Lessing was born in 1919, on the 22nd day of October. She was born in Persia, (what is now Iran). She was the daughter of British parents. Her father had served as Captain in the British army during WWI, where he lost his leg. He then transitioned to a job as a bank official. Doris Lessing's mother was a nurse. She was married rather young, giving birth to two children. A son and a daughter,
Geier 2
John and Jean. It didn't take her long to leave that marriage, and get into another one. Four years to be exact. She married a German refugee named Gottfried Lessing. They had one child together. His name was Peter. They too were divorced in 4 years. Lessing then made a change, moving to what she called, “.. grubby, cold England.” (nobelprize.org) She soon took to writing. And she's never looked backed.
Lessing used her literature to address issues with government, as she was a member of the British communist party. She also used her literature to look at racial relations. Like in her book The Grass Is Singing, she looked at the interaction between a farmers white wife, and the black family servant. Her books tend to have a theme of liberation and emancipation, a joyous event, yet from a sadder point of view.
Doris lessing wrote book after book, using her literature to show the lifestyle inequalities. She also campaigned against nuclear arms and south african apartheid. These writings got her banned from the country for 39 years. It didn't take long for lessing to be banned from South Rhodesia for speaking out against their government.
Lessing got her first big hit with The Golden Notebook. It came during the feminist movement, and women saw it as literatures lead blocker, clearing a lane, creating an opportunity for the next female to step up and do the next big thing; weather in literature or not.
Fictional books can be used to paint a picture, a picture more dramatically set up than a true story. People tend to assume fiction to be true, or feasible. So in creating a compelling story that paints the picture you want, you can push an idea, win a people, or call for action; even if its only self-examination. This is a powerful ability, and in Lessing's case she used it for excellent reasons. Hitler on the other hand, would not have been so positively motivated, had he been a writer. Novels are very similar to songs. When written well, they can alter a persons mood, a persons train of thought. Bands have started cults with their music alone.
Geier 3
It's rather comical, to me at least, that Doris Lessing is viewed as an amazing writer. Yet she never had any college education and dropped out of school at age fourteen. But she has written over 50 books, operas, and plays. Another comical thing she did, was trying to publish two books she wrote, using a different name, by her own publisher. She had already created a quite a name for herself, but she was looking to prove just how hard it is for a new writer to get published.
Lessing allowed her Nobel lecture to be published in a manner that could be used to raise money for children who have been affected by HIV/AIDS. (nobelprize.org) Thats a very honorable thing to do. It seems as though Doris Lessing has always been a very selfless individual, using her influence as a powerful writer, and national figure to help those who cannot help themselves.
One of the most interesting things about Doris was her nonchalant attitude about winning all of the prestigious awards that she has. When she found out about her winning of the Nobel prize she was quoted saying “Oh Christ... I couldn't care less.” (Nobelprize.org) She won a plethora of awards including, the David Cohen Prize, and the Palermo Prize. I don't believe that Doris really cared about the awards at all. I truly believe she wanted her voice to be heard and she wanted to advocate change.
Doris Lessing was a woman with an incomparable writing style. And she used this style to bring attention to many things. She used this style to empower women. During the feminist movement women looked to her for motivation and guidance. That is why Doris lessing won the Nobel prize, because she used her writings to lead people. Not a nation, not an ethnic group, not a gender, but a people.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
An unideal hero..
My friend Levi is 20 years old, but he is without a doubt the most best man I know. In this day and age, there is a difference between a man, and an adult male.
Levi works harder than anyone I know. Every morning he starts working before the sun comes up, and comes home to sleep well after 1am.
What makes farming so hard, is that the work is never done. There are no holiday vacations, and the milk check doesn't pay overtime. You are in the barn every day regardless of rain, snow; weather -40, or 120 degrees outside. And if you think it doesn't get that hot, you haven't stacked hay in a steel roofed barn. There is no calling in sick, there's no one else to rely on, except yourself.
He starts his own chores on his dairy farm before the roster crows. He milks 40 Holsteins near Norwalk. When he finishes up all of his chores; cows are fed, milked, and the barn is clean; he heads of to the other farm. Levi is a hired hand on another, bigger farm. On this farm he milks over 80 cows. He single-handedly runs this second farm on his own, as the owner is getting older, and can't offer much more than experienced advice. When Levi is finishes up his 3 hours of chores, on the second farm, his day isn't done. There is still two farms worth of field work and maintenance yet to be done. With all of the work to do, there is no time for a lunch. Maybe a soda, maybe a packed sandwich, but no time to sit down and relax. Levi is dedicated to the success of both farms.
Levi is constantly on the road between the two farms, he never has time to watch television, or eat his meals at a table. It isn't easy supporting a 2 year old, and her pregnant mother. But Levi does it.
Devoted father, and family man.
Levi and I used to go out and party quite often, we were almost insuperable. Now days, I couldn't pay him to skip going home and come out drinking with me. And for just cause. At age 18 Levi was expecting a child. Now he is expecting a second.
It isn't a lot of peoples ideal life plan to farm all day, everyday, to feed your daughter and her pregnant mother. Levi provides for a family, at a mere age of 20. Most 20 year olds I know, wake up at noon, to go to class, then party with their friends at night. It probably wasn't the life Levi would have chosen, had he had an option. Irregardless, he is up and at it everyday. He puts his nose to the grind stone, and does what he has to do, to ensure his family is taken care of. I can think of no greater motivation that that. His family is the force that drives him.
It isn't ideal to have two children, unmarried at age 20. But in a world where many men would have packed up, and jumped town leaving the women to raise the child on her own, Levi took up his responsibility like a real man should. Levi is loud, sarcastic, and even rude. The roughest cut hero imaginable, but he is a hero none the less. Levi is devoted to his family.
Everyday Levi makes it happen. He spends endless hours between two farms. He tirelessly works and cares for his family. He supports his family. He is a true blue collar worker, the back bone of america. His story is one of taking responsibility, and maturity. I know no greater man than Levi.
Levi works harder than anyone I know. Every morning he starts working before the sun comes up, and comes home to sleep well after 1am.
What makes farming so hard, is that the work is never done. There are no holiday vacations, and the milk check doesn't pay overtime. You are in the barn every day regardless of rain, snow; weather -40, or 120 degrees outside. And if you think it doesn't get that hot, you haven't stacked hay in a steel roofed barn. There is no calling in sick, there's no one else to rely on, except yourself.
He starts his own chores on his dairy farm before the roster crows. He milks 40 Holsteins near Norwalk. When he finishes up all of his chores; cows are fed, milked, and the barn is clean; he heads of to the other farm. Levi is a hired hand on another, bigger farm. On this farm he milks over 80 cows. He single-handedly runs this second farm on his own, as the owner is getting older, and can't offer much more than experienced advice. When Levi is finishes up his 3 hours of chores, on the second farm, his day isn't done. There is still two farms worth of field work and maintenance yet to be done. With all of the work to do, there is no time for a lunch. Maybe a soda, maybe a packed sandwich, but no time to sit down and relax. Levi is dedicated to the success of both farms.
Levi is constantly on the road between the two farms, he never has time to watch television, or eat his meals at a table. It isn't easy supporting a 2 year old, and her pregnant mother. But Levi does it.
Devoted father, and family man.
Levi and I used to go out and party quite often, we were almost insuperable. Now days, I couldn't pay him to skip going home and come out drinking with me. And for just cause. At age 18 Levi was expecting a child. Now he is expecting a second.
It isn't a lot of peoples ideal life plan to farm all day, everyday, to feed your daughter and her pregnant mother. Levi provides for a family, at a mere age of 20. Most 20 year olds I know, wake up at noon, to go to class, then party with their friends at night. It probably wasn't the life Levi would have chosen, had he had an option. Irregardless, he is up and at it everyday. He puts his nose to the grind stone, and does what he has to do, to ensure his family is taken care of. I can think of no greater motivation that that. His family is the force that drives him.
It isn't ideal to have two children, unmarried at age 20. But in a world where many men would have packed up, and jumped town leaving the women to raise the child on her own, Levi took up his responsibility like a real man should. Levi is loud, sarcastic, and even rude. The roughest cut hero imaginable, but he is a hero none the less. Levi is devoted to his family.
Everyday Levi makes it happen. He spends endless hours between two farms. He tirelessly works and cares for his family. He supports his family. He is a true blue collar worker, the back bone of america. His story is one of taking responsibility, and maturity. I know no greater man than Levi.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
I have an issue that I would like to address. I don not want to insult anyone, so if this pertains to you, or your boyfriend/husband, brother or whatever, blame them not me.
American males are becoming more and more irresponsible, and immature. I see men wearing skinny jeans, mistreating women, and walking out on their children everyday. To be quite frank, that pisses me off. I'm not saying that every man has to work on a concrete team and deer hunt, but he should have some self respect.
I see men dressing like women. I have recently noticed more and more men wearing jeans so tight, that they cannot be pulled up to fit over their hips. I'm all for free style, and self expression. But please do it in a way that doesn't make you look like an idiot.
I also see men with pants so baggy, that the belt loops are down below their buttocks. That doesn't look cool, it looks stupid. When your pants hang so low that you can't walk straight and are forced to waddle around, you know its time for a change. I don't care how cool your boxers look, I don't want to see them.
I know of a couple of guys who have made children with girls, and do not talk to them anymore. Nor do they help support the baby with money, or even efforts. That is ridiculous. Absolute garbage. I don't care how much you may hate the mother, you slept with her, you got her pregnant, now you need to sack up and take care of the child as well as the mother. I couldn't fathom why you wouldn't want to be around.
What ever happened to cliches like manning up, taking it like a man, or being a man about it. You are a man. You are an American man. You are looked at as the most capable, best opportuned person in world. For heaven's sake act like a man.
American males are becoming more and more irresponsible, and immature. I see men wearing skinny jeans, mistreating women, and walking out on their children everyday. To be quite frank, that pisses me off. I'm not saying that every man has to work on a concrete team and deer hunt, but he should have some self respect.
I see men dressing like women. I have recently noticed more and more men wearing jeans so tight, that they cannot be pulled up to fit over their hips. I'm all for free style, and self expression. But please do it in a way that doesn't make you look like an idiot.
I also see men with pants so baggy, that the belt loops are down below their buttocks. That doesn't look cool, it looks stupid. When your pants hang so low that you can't walk straight and are forced to waddle around, you know its time for a change. I don't care how cool your boxers look, I don't want to see them.
I know of a couple of guys who have made children with girls, and do not talk to them anymore. Nor do they help support the baby with money, or even efforts. That is ridiculous. Absolute garbage. I don't care how much you may hate the mother, you slept with her, you got her pregnant, now you need to sack up and take care of the child as well as the mother. I couldn't fathom why you wouldn't want to be around.
What ever happened to cliches like manning up, taking it like a man, or being a man about it. You are a man. You are an American man. You are looked at as the most capable, best opportuned person in world. For heaven's sake act like a man.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)