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An early novel in the First Wave of Feminism, with original proceeds donated to the suffrage movement, written by fourteen different, popular writers of the early Twentieth Century.With a new introduction placing
The Sturdy Oak as a foundational story of feminist literature, this composite novel, written by fourteen popular authors including nine women, was drawn together during first wave of feminism when the status of women in American life was brought into the spotlight. All proceeds of the book were donated to the Suffrage cause and the tale itself sought to reveal the tensions and expectations in Whitewater, a fictional district of New York. Jordan's assembled team of writers sought to undermine the stereotypical idea of the sturdy oak (the traditional male) with its clinging vines (the women) requiring his support.
Foundations of Feminist Fiction. The early 1900s saw a quiet revolution in literature dominated by male adventure heroes. Both men and women moved beyond the norms of the male gaze to write from a different gender perspective, sometimes with female protagonists, but also expressing the universal freedom to write on any subject whatsoever.
About the author
June Purvis is Professor Emerita of Women’s and Gender History at the University of Portsmouth. She has published extensively on the British women’s suffrage campaigns, especially two highly acclaimed biographies of suffragette leaders, Emmeline Pankhurst and Christabel Pankhurst. Other publications include Votes for Women and The British Women’s Suffrage Campaign: National and International Perspectives. June is the Founding and Managing Editor of the journal Women’s History Review.
Summary
A round-robin novel with fourteen chapters written by fourteen popular writers of the early Twentieth Century, edited by Elizabeth Jordan, with all proceeds donated to the Suffrage cause. The writers, nine of whom were women, created a slice of everyday American life, highlighting the tensions and expectations of men and women in society.
Foreword
An early novel in the First Wave of Feminism, with original proceeds donated to the suffrage movement, written by fourteen different, popular writers of the early Twentieth Century.
