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Mar 22, 2021
Writing Feedback / Personal Essay: History - a concept, theory, or topic you have explored. [2]
Prompt:
Tell us about a concept, theory, or topic you have explored simply because it sparked your intellectual curiosity.
Max word count allowed: 200
History is a wealth of knowledge I have often pursued out of curiosity, especially women's rights and positions throughout time. Stories we are told today are often from the male perspective: women are rarely the focus, especially if the story is not a romance. Today's stereotype of women in history shows a weak character; dependent on their male family members. This caused me to question if there were women who managed to draw control and agency into their personal lives even in a world against them. I have an interest in becoming an historical fiction writer, and as a young woman myself I have managed to find inspiration from women who accomplished much throughout their lives without the help of a man. Criminals such as Mary Read and Anne Bonny may not be good role models, but they fought for their position and became successful. Other women, such as Margaret Beaufort or Lucrezia Tornabuoni, may have at first gained their power through their familial relations, but they became influential in their own right. European women have been my main focus but I would like to explore the lives of women from other cultures: strong women come from everywhere.
Prompt:
Tell us about a concept, theory, or topic you have explored simply because it sparked your intellectual curiosity.
Why do you find it intriguing? How do you want to explore it further?
Max word count allowed: 200
History is a wealth of knowledge I have often pursued out of curiosity, especially women's rights and positions throughout time. Stories we are told today are often from the male perspective: women are rarely the focus, especially if the story is not a romance. Today's stereotype of women in history shows a weak character; dependent on their male family members. This caused me to question if there were women who managed to draw control and agency into their personal lives even in a world against them. I have an interest in becoming an historical fiction writer, and as a young woman myself I have managed to find inspiration from women who accomplished much throughout their lives without the help of a man. Criminals such as Mary Read and Anne Bonny may not be good role models, but they fought for their position and became successful. Other women, such as Margaret Beaufort or Lucrezia Tornabuoni, may have at first gained their power through their familial relations, but they became influential in their own right. European women have been my main focus but I would like to explore the lives of women from other cultures: strong women come from everywhere.
