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,
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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.
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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.