I believe the video is evidence that both girls today and girls of the nineteenth century are instructed to become women, but different women. Today girls are encouraged to be creative, lively, outspoken, strong, independent women, whereas girls 150 years ago were taught by following strict guidelines of how to become a lady and how to properly fit in with society. We saw this very clearly in Warner’s The Wide, Wide World through the relationship between Ellen and Mrs. Montgomery. Therefore, I believe that the way children find a balance in life is expected to change as these expectations change.
I think that the interview between Amy and Anna shows a clear picture of how we encourage girls today to be individuals and how girls need to find a balance in their lives. Both Anna and Gerty strive to find this balance, but in very different ways. Anna chooses to use yoga and various yoga positions to find her peace and calm. Gerty seems to find her balance through her anger and violent emotions. I think that Gerty being the product of such an unstable household, and of such violent abuse, she struggles dramatically with finding balance in her life. She develops such love and compassion for her Uncle True and she wishes to please him, but Gerty believes what others have told her, that she is “not good” and ugly. Gerty expresses on multiple occasions that she wishes “to be good,” and she even begins to pray and seek God. But when she is upset, there is a drastic change in Gerty. She throws “tantrums” as Willie calls them, she strikes Nan Grant with a stick (something a lady is just not to do), she even intentionally throws a rock through the window. Throughout the text Gerty tries so hard to be a good girl, but it is a constant struggle.
I believe that if Gerty was on this TV show, the focus would be shifted. In Anna’s case, she found a very healthy and productive way of finding balance. She took the stress in her life and found calm through her yoga. In Gerty’s case, she uses her inner struggle to express her anger. I believe that the TV show would be about how to improve her techniques and help her to develop better methods.
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I agree with you that girls of our society today live very different lifestyles than those 150 years ago. Girls back then follow very strict guidelines that they must abide by or follow big consequences. Girls today live different lives because our culture has not only changed but also brought the lives of young people to a different extent than it used to be. Girls living 150 years ago were seen as women that care for their well being as well as each person in their family. In Ellen's case, she looks out for her mother throughout the story and knows that there is a purpose for her future
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