Gertrude: Keeping up with the news and what is happening in our world has always been important to me. I am a practical person who wants to be educated. Reading The Weekly Times, London, has become part of my daily routine. I realize that most women this day and age are focused on other things but I see many flaws to that. I would much rather read the local paper and be informed on what is happening in my neighborhood than keeping up to date on the local town gossip. It is such an unfortunate stereotype that people just assume women sit around all day and gossip and talk about the latest fashion. There are so many valuable things to learn about and discuss that can be found in your morning paper. Another important reason I always get the morning paper is to better my skills as a writer, or an aspiring writer. I have found that reading other’s work pushes me to challenge myself and my writing skills. I am able to notice certain elements and risks professional writers take, and look for how I can incorporate that into my own pieces. Sadly however, keeping up on current events can be painful. It was through the newspaper that we first learned that poor Lucy's Fred was in trouble on his work trip. Although it was hard news it was better for Lucy to learn that information, rather than wonder why he took so long to come home. This represents the importance of being educated and informed to me.
Editorial Commentary: Newspapers were how people got their information during the 19th century. Without the local paper, citizens would have been very ill-informed about what was going on in the world around them. Many women at this time period also lacked the education to be able to read and learn from a newspaper. Gertrude was one of the few women fortunate enough to receive a proper education. This way she does not have to rely on others to inform her about what is going on in the world; she can educate herself and form her own opinions. However, at this time most women were pushed to focus on different things besides the troubles of the harsh world around them. They were encouraged to leave those troubles to the men, as they were taught to focus on more trivial things like settling down and starting a family. It is very fascinating and brave how Gertrude breaks away from this idea that was pushed by society. Gertrude is not afraid to be independent and listen to what her heart desires. She is comfortable breaking away from societal expectations, which many women at this time did not do. Gertrude also mentions her own writing in why she reads the paper. She hopes to pursue a writing career of her own, which again would have been a remarkable choice for a young lady during this time period.
Citation: “Archive Record.” A Copy of The Times Weekly Edition, London, October 24, 1890. - 0, 2012, www.sawest.pastperfectonline.com/archive/4FB17AB3-71DE-494A-A29F-202101590721.