Soupçon, In Memoriam series, IV.vi

                             Soupçon III                                                          In Memoriam Series                                                         IV.vi                                 International Year of the Woman Farmer

As we continue our analysis of the theme, let us begin the discussion this week with three references in English literature to women farmers. 

The first is a poem, much loved even by school kids as it is much anthologised. Yes, I am referring to "The Solitary Reaper", while Wordsworth's "Lucy" poems, too, have farming images. 

As for a tale, we have Willa Cather's "O, Pioneers." In these pages, we meet Alexandra whose vision and grit change the hereditary land in to a successful farm. 

As for an autobiography, we have Rigoberta Menchu's 1983 'testimonio' which presents the harsh seasonal labour on the 'finchas' where punishing nature, backbreaking work, and toxic pesticides make life utmost miserable for women farmhands. 

In other words, be it the pages of a literary work or be it the terra firna, tough is the life of a woman as the farmer. Tomorrow we shall look at some Indian writings, and then get back yet again to the brief theoretical analyses. 

Pratima Agnihotri