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A New Paradigm

Sep 19, 2013
by Caroline Miller
"Cleopatra", "The Red Tent, Anita Diamant, searching for a new paradigm for a woman's role in the world, Stacy Schiff
2 Comments

I dropped by the community library box in my neighborhood the other day and among the offerings, I found the 1997 best seller, The Red Tent by Anita Diamant. I’d always meant to read the novel, so I scooped it up and brought it home.

 The story is about Dinah, a woman in Biblical times, who lives amongst a large family, which includes her father, his 4 wives and their many children. Dinah narrates her story in the simple language of an uneducated girl but the effect is a simple elegance reminiscent of the King James Bible.

Though Dinah’s narrative describes life in a patriarchal society, women have their sphere of influence, particularly under the red tent — the place where they go during menses and where men are forbidden. There, they share insights about birth and death with the youngest among them and perpetuate ancient feminine wisdoms.

Oddly enough, as I sat down to read The Red Tent, I’d just finished Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique. I expected the difference between the two books to be startling, like being dropped from a mountain stream into a hot tub. But I confess I was drawn to the Biblical time Diamant painted. Though the author is a contemporary women, the ancient world she evoked touched a chord in me, the same I’d felt when I read Stacy Schiff’s Cleopatra, a queen she described as a master of the “silken powers of persuasion.” (Cleopatra, by Stacy Schiff, Back Bay books, Back Bay Books, 2010, pg. 42.)

 I spent some time thinking about this chord within me; yet even now, I am unable to describe it. It exists, nonetheless, like a buried memory recalled by a passing scent. What is a woman’s place in the world, I wondered. Is parity with men the goal? But we are equal. Perhaps we have distracted ourselves in a false, feminist pursuit. Perhaps we should use our power in other ways, for we have power. Men sense it in us better than we do. How else am I to explain why patriarchal structures often seek to constrain women rather than free them?

If balance is to be restored to the world, we women must find our true place. A new paradigm must emerge.

yin and yang

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Yin & Yang image courtesy of www.buzzle.com)

 

 

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2 Comments
  1. janettesjournal September 19, 2013 at 11:08 am Reply
    So True! The Dalai Lama says if the world is to be saved we must bring back Compassion. When I heard him speak this year in Portland he pointed out that the influence missing in our world is the Female, Feminine, Mother, etc. He urged "us" to feel empowered, to trust and allow our instincts, to cultivate compassion (nurturing/feminine) in ourselves and teach it to others by example. It is indeed time for a new Paradigm! PS: Loved "The Red Tent"
    • Caroline Miller September 19, 2013 at 12:11 pm Reply
      Lovely to hear the Dali Lama made this point. I'm honored to be in his camp and his insight bears repeating. Thank you for sharing his thoughts, Janette, Treasure Goddess.

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Contact Caroline at

carolinemiller11@yahoo.com

Portland, Oregon author Caroline Miller had distinguished careers as an educator, union president, elected official and artist/advocate.

Her play, Woman on the Scarlet Beast, was performed at the Post5 Theatre, Portland, OR, January/February 2015

Caroline published a serialized novelette, Marie Eau-Claire, on the website, The Colored Lens.  She also published the story Gustav Pavel,  a parable about ordinary lives, choice and alternate potential, on the website Fixional.co.

Caroline has published four novels

  • Ballet Noir
  • Trompe l’Oeil
  • Gothic Spring
  • Heart Land

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