The Lamplighter Plot

I very much agree withthe scholors of Girl's Studies how very little has changed in the last 150 years about a young girls struggles throughout a novel. However, I believe that they struggle in different ways than that of girls that live 150 years ago. With 19th century literature, young girls were taught the importance of Christianity, being submissive and how to act. where as, parents in today's socitey teach the daughters their daughter how to become independent womean that think and speak for thmeselves. In The Wide, Wide World the reader watches as Ellen struggles to put all her trust in God, and cope with the her mother's sickness. At one point, Ellen becomes very upset that her mother is leaving her shortly, and cries in the bathroom and does not come down for breakfast until her father leaves for work. She is taught to display no emotion on her face other than happiness. Where as, in The Lamplighter, we are introduced to a new side of the lifestyle of a young girl attempting to find a balance in her life, learning right from wrong, and the true kindness of the Christian people around her. In a novel from today's society, My sister's Keeper is an amazing novel about the difficult lifestyle of a young girl that was born solely to keep her sister alive. The younger sister has been through many surgeries for her older sister in order to keep her alive because she has rare case of cancer. The younger one files emancipation from her parents becuse she no longer wants go through all of the surgeries, but she is longing for a normal childhood. Although all three novels deal with different forms of problems that all of the young girls have to cope with, the message of girls growing up into young ladies is chrystal clear.

Gerty, did not have the ideal childhood when we are first introduced to her in The Lamp Lighter. We learn that she has no manners, does not know how to make herself useful in a household, and does not know anything about God or Christianity. She is taken in by man name Trueman where she is becoming quite the young girl when she begins her life with him. However, in the video about third grader Anna we learn she does yoga in order to keep balance in her life. She does this in order to take her mind off of everything that stresses her out throughout her daily activities. Also, the view of woman and young girls in today's society is drastically different from that of Gerty's time. Girls now are expected to go to school and receive a good education, be involved, and speak their minds. Whereas, Gerty was taught to be useful around the house, not speaking her mind, and the relationship they should have with God. If Gerty could have appeared on Amy's show I picture her being ratty, unsure of herself and possibly speechless of what to say. I believe she might have made little girls look bad as well. However, Ana is looked upon as being an outstaning young girl that is quite mature for her age and enjoys school. This is the message parents now are trying to send out to their daughters.