“Dear Diary...”: Women’s Real Literature of the 20th Century
Format
Oral Presentation
Faculty Mentor Name
Amy Smith
Faculty Mentor Department
English
Abstract/Artist Statement
The First Wave of Feminism in the United States was the launch of many historical feminist documents, such as the Declaration of Sentiments, produced at the Seneca Falls Convention of 1848. The First Wave brought new light and focus onto women’s issues and their lack of freedom from the domestic space; however, the First Wave lacked one major item of information: documents from “real” women of the time period—women that were wedged within the home.This research project focuses on those “lost” documents—the ones that were not analyzed in great depth. It utilizes two diaries of women from the early 20th Century as a focal point. These diaries were both pulled from Pacific’s archives.The project strives to answer two main questions: (1) How do diaries have both historical and literary value? What do these specific diaries say about the time period? (2) What is defined as “literature” and how do diaries fit into the concept of literature as a genre?By researching deeply into the time period, looking into scholarly peer-reviewed articles, and by analyzing the text from the two primary sources, the project has developed some intriguing conclusions. For example, I have argued that diaries are comparable to other genres of literary merit and deserve much of the same accreditation. They utilize literary techniques, plotline, and mood to portray abstract ideas. Also, I have discovered that much of the “missing” voices of the First Wave can be found through diary documentation.
Location
DeRosa University Center, Room 211A/B
Start Date
21-4-2011 5:00 PM
End Date
21-4-2011 8:00 PM
“Dear Diary...”: Women’s Real Literature of the 20th Century
DeRosa University Center, Room 211A/B
The First Wave of Feminism in the United States was the launch of many historical feminist documents, such as the Declaration of Sentiments, produced at the Seneca Falls Convention of 1848. The First Wave brought new light and focus onto women’s issues and their lack of freedom from the domestic space; however, the First Wave lacked one major item of information: documents from “real” women of the time period—women that were wedged within the home.This research project focuses on those “lost” documents—the ones that were not analyzed in great depth. It utilizes two diaries of women from the early 20th Century as a focal point. These diaries were both pulled from Pacific’s archives.The project strives to answer two main questions: (1) How do diaries have both historical and literary value? What do these specific diaries say about the time period? (2) What is defined as “literature” and how do diaries fit into the concept of literature as a genre?By researching deeply into the time period, looking into scholarly peer-reviewed articles, and by analyzing the text from the two primary sources, the project has developed some intriguing conclusions. For example, I have argued that diaries are comparable to other genres of literary merit and deserve much of the same accreditation. They utilize literary techniques, plotline, and mood to portray abstract ideas. Also, I have discovered that much of the “missing” voices of the First Wave can be found through diary documentation.