Room at the Top

Beside all of the controversial issues and teaching issues, I find myself rather interested in the motif for this book, or in other words the author. I wonder what her views are on hope for young girls and her feelings of true friendship as the ending is rather depressing. Jenny’s information is very helpful as her blog contains Bathurst’s view on women and I love her idea that men and women both have their flaws, that women too can be the oppressors rather than the victims. In a website I found myself http://www.theblurb.com.au/Issue36/Special.htm a seemingly insignificant passage is discussed with Bathurst and she reveals her feelings about young women or female adolescence through it. The passage is the one in which Jules asks Ali to read them all a story, however all Ali has is a few fairytales and from past experience the reader immediately expects an outburst from the girls, a total rejection towards the book. However this does not happen, in fact Jules tells Ali to read the stories, a total surprise to all including myself. What Bathurst is saying is that while young girls live as if they are adults, they are still deep down innocent children simply trying too hard to grow up. Knowing this I no longer imagine Bella to be the crude pessimistic women I once thought she was, but simply someone who understands what it is like to be a teenager.