A drastic difference in the two girls was how they viewed the world and how each is accepted into it. Anna told Amy that she felt as though she could be herself and people would like her for that. She knew she had the freedom to be who she wants to be and not what others want. Gerty tends to push away people and peers, such as children her age. Among the kids "she had made herself feared as well as disliked" and was constantly rejected by them (page 84). She always was never accepted because "she was the worst-looking child in the world, and, what was more, the worst behaved" (page 80). Gerty was constantly told how unattractive and "witch-like" she looked (page 81).
Both girls also have different ways of reacting when bad or stressful things happen to them. Anna tells Amy in the interview that when she needs to get away from the world, she does yoga. She feels this keeps balance and peace in her lief. When Gerty is mad or upset, she lashes out such as "lift[ing] a stick of wood which lay near her, [and flinging] it at Nan with all her strength" because Nan killed her kitten (page 90). She also "sometimes weep[s] for hours, so upset about her life (pages 84-85).
One similarity I found was that both girls do have a positive outlet at times that helps them vent and de-stress. Anna talks and talks about yoga and how it makes her happy and content. Gerty sometimes retreats to a "wood-yard," where she "brood[s] over her griefs, her wrongs, and her ugliness" (page 84). It is the only place she feels safe and not judged.
Because of these similarities and differences, I feel Gerty would react quite differently in the interview then Anna did. I feel that Gerty's answers would be more bitter and abrupt and she would probably at some point, get angry with Any. She most definitely would not dance at the end, because I do not think she has anything to dance for.
I also liked how the show was so relaxed and laid-back! Complete opposite to what's going on in The Lamplighter, but I do agree with you on the differences and similarities of issues both girls face. Anna was so cute! But I also bet Gerty wouldn't be so excited about jamming out to a song on TV...I mean, seriously, how did they get down back then?! She just wouldn't have any sweet moves to show off.
ReplyDeleteI think you are right about Gert being rough around the edges and how she tends to lash out whenever something bad happens to her. However the basic emotion of anger in her situation is still right. I think Gerty was right for being totally pissed off (I bet you do too, though) when Nan throws her kitten into the pot or when the "troop" of girls call her father figure, True, "Old Smutty". But, the way she expresses her anger is not appropriate because usually things back fire on her when she does lash out: she gets kicked out of her home, and she could have been bruised badly by that group of girls who she swung her fist at. Very true--hey both do have safe havens. Good job!
ReplyDeletePersonally, I think the only true difference between Gerty and Anna is their society. Anna has been prepared more adequately to deal with stressful situations, the hustle and bustle of modern life. Whereas, Gerty had virtually no instruction until she was eight years old. It's too much of a stretch to assume that Gerty would not be as well off.
ReplyDelete