I am eagerly awaiting my own copy of Susan Sontag’s On Photography, which I have dipped into but never fully read, cover to cover.

It was due yesterday – so my frustration will have to be eased by devouring this week’s LBR, which has a fascinating review of the books released to commemorate the  centenary of the sinking of the Titanic. (April 10-14, 1912)

https://www.mylrb.co.uk/adwuklp/?gclid=CI-L0rT79rQCFePHtAodlEIAgg
https://www.mylrb.co.uk/adwuklp/?gclid=CI-L0rT79rQCFePHtAodlEIAgg

It is a fascinating take on the gender dynamics of the early twentieth century identifying the ‘expected’  male chivalry and courage as ‘the price of patriarchy’ – highlighting that patriarchy imposes as many restrictions and expectations on men as it does on women – something that any gender theorist should bear in mind when composing a ‘feminist’ article or opinion. Given the ridicule and abuse many male survivors of the disaster suffered it was encouraging to read an article which attempted to redeem an impossibly mythologised situation.

Published by Lily Bart

I used to be a racalcitrant scholar who was valiantly fighting the battle to win my doctorate. Mature in years, but not in attitude, I struggled with routine and the daily trials of academic solitude ... but I was encouraged to go on by all the wonderful things I discovered along the way: not only about the world around me, but about myself. I have accepted with good grace that the more I learn, the less I know! Women like Marilyn French and Mary Wesley, both of whom were 'older' when they were first published, are examples of the kind of woman I am and also aspire to be. I am now one year into my first lecturing post and learning things the hard way. Enjoying sharing my love of the written word with students from all walks of life, hoping to inspire them to live their dreams, the way I try to live mine.

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