Character Commentary:
Found this ad as I was walking through the town the other day. It was the pen that I’ve wanted for such a long time before my father passed away.
Would it be too expensive to buy one and a couple of journals of paper? Rather do I even have enough time to spend on writing? I think it may be possible, but it would be an irrational idea….
Hopefully, when that time comes I would be able to afford to write again, without having to worry too much about the other girls or working the store. Though I think that may be a while from now. I should not get distracted and spend my money on things that are not necessarily needed for the business, I’m sure Lucy would agree. I would like this to work as a small reminder of what I could do again when everything that needs to be dealt with has been dealt with.
I may end up bookmarking this page, just so I could come back to it every now and then to remind myself of my old self. I guess it may be a little silly, but I have always wanted to be an author, as such this pen means more than what others would see. While others may look at a pen and simply see a writing utensil, I see hope for my future, my dreams, and my aspirations of what I want my life to consist of outside of my business and family affairs. I see what my future could be and what I am working towards. While I do miss writing, I do not have the time to think and gloat about it, rather I will keep this as a reminder of what I am striving for so that I will not lose myself in ensuring my family remains financially stable.
Editor Commentary:
Gertrude’s choice to add an advertisement about a pen symbolizes a better future and the aspirations that she has given up. She places the ad in her book not as something to feel bad about for losing, but as a reminder of her goals in life, representing her as an ambitious woman for her time period. While the majority of 19th-century women would strive to get married and have kids, Gertrude’s priorities, in addition to her dreams of becoming an author, make love and having a family with kids her last priority.
However, the ad also portrays her as a logical woman. During the 19th century, women in the literary industry “often faced social censure, received substandard pay, and fell subject to a critical double standard,”(Easley) as such it was hard for women to gain success in the field. Yet by the end of the nineteenth century, the 1880s, women’s opportunities in the literary marketplace improved, but rather than pushing forward with her dreams of becoming an author, she put aside her dream job which could, or could not have been successful, for a more solidified job that ensured a higher chance of financial success.
Besides working to illustrate Gertrude’s personality, her selection of the ad works to illustrate how passionate Gertrude is. While she has indeed placed her dreams of being a writer aside she has not forgotten her love of writing. Although it may have been ages since she has last picked up a pen to really write she has not forgotten who she is, even in times of hardship. It also shows that Gertrude has hope and knows she and her sisters will be able to overcome this obstacle, no matter how long it may take.
Citation:
“Fountain Pen Advertisement by Granger.” Fine Art America, Granger Art, 12 July 2012, fineartamerica.com/featured/fountain-pen-advertisement-granger.html.
Easley, Alexis. “Victorian Women Writers' Careers (Part I) - The Cambridge Companion to Victorian Women's Writing.” Edited by Linda H. Peterson, Cambridge Core, Cambridge University Press, Oct. 2015, www.cambridge.org/core/books/cambridge-companion-to-victorian-womens-wr….