Let’s celebrate the voices and the contributions of women in literature.
From Sylvia Plath to Holly Jackson, many female authors are overlooked…
While Sylvia Plath and Holly Jackson are undoubtedly remarkable, there exists a vast number of female authors who deserve more recognition.
I won’t be able to fit all of them on this one blog – so I’ll be focusing on the ones who faced various degrees of misogyny during their lifetimes, as they were women writing in periods when patriarchal attitudes were prevalent in society. They went through all this just so their story could be heard – may their stories inspire many young women who have stories inside of them.
Despite being famous, authors like Jane Austen are often unfairly labelled as cliché and are overlooked. While her novels are beloved for their timeless character dynamics and wit, they’re sometimes dismissed as mere period dramas. This overlooks Austen’s insightful and provoking view of the society. Let’s recognize her lasting impact and appreciate her storytelling more.
I am a huge fan of Jane Austen merely for her way of comprehending simple matters and her way of expressing society’s nature; it’s truly mind-blowing and I will never stop recommending her books.
Now, let’s talk about Sylvia Plath,
Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with clinical depression and took her own life on February 11, 1963; when she was just 30 years old – may her soul rest in peace.
But, her works are still recognised and are loved by many readers around the world – and I would consider myself a fan.
Her works are extremely sorrowful and I would recommend it for people who are quite emotionally mature and are educated on topics such as depression; so, if you’re not looking for a gut-wrenching read which will make you sob the entire time – maybe Sylvia Plath isn’t for you.
But to give an insight into her excellent comprehension skills – let me give you an example:
“I saw myself sitting in the crotch of the fig tree, starving to death, just because I couldn’t make up my mind which of the figs I would choose. I wanted each and every one of them, but choosing one meant losing all the rest.”
– Sylvia Plath, bell jar.
Let’s move to the last classic author on our list – Louisa May Alcott.
She is an amazing author who wrote many classic books but one of her most beloved and well-known book is – Little Women which follows the lives of four sisters through their adolescence and adulthood as they navigate their way through life, it takes place during the civil war era while their father serves at the war zone…this book expresses girlhood and womanhood in the most beautiful way possible – I hold it extremely close to my heart.
I think everyone, regardless of their gender, should read this book at least once in their lifetime.
As we reflect on the contributions of women in literature, it’s crucial to acknowledge the struggles and triumphs of authors like Sylvia Plath, Jane Austen, and Louisa May Alcott. Their enduring works have not only entertained readers but also challenged societal norms and inspired generations of women to embrace their voices and stories.
