COVE

Gertrude's Commentary: Imagine my surprise when I found the very script that I thought I had thrown out. Looking at it again brings up feelings of sadness because I have always wanted to be a writer, and get a chance for my voice to be heard. However, not all dreams come true as I have learned. In order to start our photography business, I must provide it with my full attention for any chance of success. But, I have decided to keep this piece I found so in hopes that one day I will be able to come back to this and finally have a chance to sit down and revise it. While I am sad, I am doing this for my sisters whom I love. And if not love, what would be a better reason to give up one’s dreams? But, I say give up with a lightness, because ideally I am only putting this aside for the future. Once my sisters and I are settled, then I may have a chance to reignite my true passion. My duty is and will always be to look after and care for my sisters. Maybe one day in the future I shall have someone to look after me. That would be nice, for it is only natural for one to ache for love and happiness.

Editorial Commentary: Upon first reading this entry I was very intrigued by this Charlotte character that Gertrude seems to be writing about. Apparently this was based off of a very interesting assassination story. According to my sources, this Charlotte Corday was a noblewoman who murdered Jean-Paul Marat in 1793. Charlotte was a part of the group called the Girondists, which were a group of “moderate republicans in the French Revolution” (Girondists). So, when Jean-Paul Marat wanted to execute these Girondists she decided that he should be killed however this began a “Reign of Terror” that meant that the government was taking actions against those suspected to be in the revolution (Lewis). This makes me wonder what kind of character Gertrude has. From reading her writing I feel like she related to this because of the oppression women faced everyday in the Victorian Era can be similar to the feeling of someone in a revolution. Someone has declared that something is right, but she cannot follow that rule so she rebels. Charlotte could be a role model to Gertrude as a sort of symbol of sticking up for what you believe in which was hard when you are a woman in Victorian Europe. 

Citations:

“Girondists.” Infoplease, Infoplease, www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/history/modern-europe/france/girondists. 

Levy, Amy. The Romance of a Shop. The Algonquin Press, 1889.

Lewis, Jone Johnson. “Charlotte Corday, French Revolution Assassin.” ThoughtCo, www.thoughtco.com/charlotte-corday-3529109.