Mishti
asked:
I currently am reading this book and was wondering what Ms. Williams meant when she said that "if if ever there was a truth without a shadow, it would be this: that we as women exist in direct sunlight only. When women were birds, we knew otherwise." I absolutely don't get what she means, what do you guys think?
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When Women Were Birds: Fifty-four Variations on Voice,
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Lori
This passage actually struck me deeply. It spoke to a time in my life as a stay at home mother when I felt like an extension of my children. They were the sun. Everything revolved around them. I had allowed my own light to dim and only truly shined in their presence. When women were birds... there was a time when women were more connected with each other and less isolated at home, allowing our hearts to soar as a flock. Highly metaphorical, which is one of the things that is so lovely about this book. We can all read it and get something different out of it.
Randi Samuelson-Brown
What you are touching on, is something I noticed in this book. Beautiful, poetic language that if dissected doesn't stand up directly to how I (personally) view it. I'm not saying that the sentence has no meaning BUT I don't believe it means much to the average reader (like me). She explores Native American and Navajo beliefs and the meaning might come in that way. I also like what Susan had to say below about women in the past. That seems like a likely element too.
Susan
when women were birds-- that flocked together? Back when they cackled and gossiped like birds on a telephone wire, back when there was time for that -- back when there were telephone wires ;)
That women are more individualistic now, compared to when women had to, or were able to, hide behind the trends and expectations of past eras?
That women, these days, make an impact, good or bad, only when they're 'out there', either alone or in small or large groups --in the direct sunlight, as Williams writes. Compared to longer ago, when women had to gather privately because of social mores. These women of the past still got things done (suffragettes, for example), but behind closed doors and in small meetings .
That women are more individualistic now, compared to when women had to, or were able to, hide behind the trends and expectations of past eras?
That women, these days, make an impact, good or bad, only when they're 'out there', either alone or in small or large groups --in the direct sunlight, as Williams writes. Compared to longer ago, when women had to gather privately because of social mores. These women of the past still got things done (suffragettes, for example), but behind closed doors and in small meetings .
Rachel Heaton
Its one of my favourite lines. I like it because the meaning is not literal, but it has an effect on my emontions and body just reading the words.
But if I was to analyse it now - I think she is saying something to the importance of embracing your shadow - in the Jungian sense. That there is not light without dark, and when we were are are in tune with our wisdom and who we are that we understood this innately.
But if I was to analyse it now - I think she is saying something to the importance of embracing your shadow - in the Jungian sense. That there is not light without dark, and when we were are are in tune with our wisdom and who we are that we understood this innately.
Lindsey
I’m amazed you brought up the exact same excerpt that puzzles me as well.
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