Today's Discussion Leader: Kathleen
Our author today won the 2007 Nobel Prize for Literature, so I would argue that she is one of those writers that you should read at least once!
A British writer actually born in Iran, Lessing lived for awhile in Africa. According to Wikipedia, Lessing's work can be "divided into three distinct phases: the Communist theme (1944–1956), when she was writing radically on social issues (to which she returned in The Good Terrorist [1985]), the psychological theme (1956–1969), and after that the Sufi theme, which was explored in the Canopus in Argos sequence of science fiction (or as she preferred to put it "space fiction") novels and novellas."
So this is a writer who is complex and esay to describe in easy terms!
In terms of the short story we are reading, "To Room Nineteen," many critics have notes that Lessing legitimizes the depression that besets many women who work at home. She is critical of Matthew's response to Susan. Like some medical professionals, he does not take the time to understand what she feels, and is unwilling to face anything outside of his experience. Hemmed in by rationality, Susan's emotions cannot be expressed, resulting in her suicide.
FYI: Here is the COMPLETE Dorris Lessing web site (lots of cool stuff here!): Click Here!
See you all in class tomorrow!
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