In Memory of Tillie Olsen
Tillie Lerner Olsen
Author, Feminist, Activist
January 14, 1912 - January 1, 2007
Continued from Julie R. Enszer’s blog
From Yonnondio From the Thirties by Tillie Olsen
“Marie was tellin me, it would break Chris’s heart if he only knew. He wanted the kid to be different, get an edjication.”
“Yeah? Them foreigners do have funny ideas.”
“Oh, I dunno. Then she says that she wants the girls to become nuns, so they won’t have to worry where the next meal’s comin from, or have to have kids.”
“Well, what other earthly use can a woman have, I’d like to know?”
“She says she doesnt want ‘em raisin a lot of brats to get their heads blowed off in the mine. I guess she takes Chris’s . . . . passing away pretty hard. It’s kinda affected her mind. She keeps talking about the old country, the fields, and what they thought it would be like here--all buried in da bowels of earth, she finishes.”
“Say, what does she think she is, a poet?”
“And she talks about the coal. Says it ought be red, and let people see how they get it with blood.”
“Quit your woman’s blabbin,” said Jim Holbrook, irritated suddenly. “I’m goin now.”
All of us at Woman-Stirred remember Tillie Olsen with great fondness.
Author, Feminist, Activist
January 14, 1912 - January 1, 2007
Continued from Julie R. Enszer’s blog
From Yonnondio From the Thirties by Tillie Olsen
“Marie was tellin me, it would break Chris’s heart if he only knew. He wanted the kid to be different, get an edjication.”
“Yeah? Them foreigners do have funny ideas.”
“Oh, I dunno. Then she says that she wants the girls to become nuns, so they won’t have to worry where the next meal’s comin from, or have to have kids.”
“Well, what other earthly use can a woman have, I’d like to know?”
“She says she doesnt want ‘em raisin a lot of brats to get their heads blowed off in the mine. I guess she takes Chris’s . . . . passing away pretty hard. It’s kinda affected her mind. She keeps talking about the old country, the fields, and what they thought it would be like here--all buried in da bowels of earth, she finishes.”
“Say, what does she think she is, a poet?”
“And she talks about the coal. Says it ought be red, and let people see how they get it with blood.”
“Quit your woman’s blabbin,” said Jim Holbrook, irritated suddenly. “I’m goin now.”
All of us at Woman-Stirred remember Tillie Olsen with great fondness.
posted by Julie R. Enszer | 2:08 AM
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