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Dhaka Day by Day

Of Myths, Religion and Feminism

by Fayza Haq
Lois Gould. the visiting US novelist, who came to Dhaka for a workshop, was born before my mother got married. But one would not believe it listening to her speak and seeing her She is full of guts and go Not only that, she knows how to perceive and analyse life to depth. She has strong beliefs . has read copiously and has vast experience as a writer.
For her. amting is as natural as breathing Site began writing as a school-girl, translating Latin verses. She had a hectic career as a journalist .and then turned her hand to writing novels — seven tn number — two non fictions and. numerous essays, as well as fables for adults, which are written tn a satirical manner
"People everywhere arc alike and yet they ure different in some ways. If you have reached the pain tn their mind and heart, you have made a connection and built bridges in societies the world over ." she commented about her writing . sitting tn the USIS Auditorium
Her work has been connected with feminism by critics. There is a tendency to categorise to make matters simple, she commented. "I was denounced by the women's libbers and by the others too. Such is the fate of writers The thanes that occupy me are power betrayal, religion. mythology and ex pfoitation of many forma - social, political sexual and economic. I write ■bout imaginary people and places but they al ways have some context to the contemporary There are the protagu nists who have illusions of power and safety The king. tn one of my novels .is obsessed with dreams . which is really his ego boos-ter. "Lots explained
The writer insisted that she was not Influe need by any particular author. *1 don t want to sing around. I want to remember my own cadences. My focus is on my own life. But 1 do admit to hare Itked the Brontes. Trollope. John Donne. G । M. Hopkins .as well as Edith Warden tn my younger days.' she said. 1 . think poetry had a lot of influence in my writing, and 1 always wanted to be a lyricist.' she added.
She gives little de
scriptton of her characters in her novels. Hie scenes are almost theatrical, she explained. "I do envy writers who put tn dashing horses' and get . awav with it . But 1 did put In a triangle . as I did in 'La Presidenta'. and Drought in soldiers, and revolutionaries. People who read my novel told me that I had captured the essence of Argentina. Similarly . tn "Verdure". I believe I brought in the cattle farms and the warm climate with an Impact." she commented about her own work with remarkable confidence.
In her latest book "Madusas Gift she has brought In a film star who has had many love affairs. "1 had Marylin Monroe and Natalie Wood in mind. Yet ambiguity remains In the narrative. You cannot draw a line between truth and fiction. There might be an automobile accident . and five onlookers will have five different versions to the Incident. People accuse me of spelling out the truth yet there Is no absolute truth . Lot. UtsMed.
When critic. say that .he was Involved in "sexual revolution". Lol. explained that they referred to her article for "New York Times" in whic h she Investigated the readership of porno graphic magazines "I was writing about the ef lect on the audience. I admit I was Involved tn porn for women', but I discovered that the reader, of such magazines are mostly men — although the authors directed them towards fe male readers, "the writer elaborated
Romance and historical novels are printed a plenty. Lois, pointed out. There Is no thorough examination of the sexuality of the lives of the characters. In my own novel. Such Good Friettds" . I have written about the explosion out of the marriage of a wife, who discovers the se cret amours of her husband, by reading a diary when he is at hl. death bed f have touched on some unmentioned topics. Marriage is often a closed door. Men worry that their secrets may tumble out. Not often is the male marital infidel ttv written about. 1 write about trust and misplaced trust." Lots elaborated
The writer ,1s comfortable about using mythoi ogy.She has written about Evita Peron. There was a woman with an interesting history I dealt with the death and Immortality of Evlta I admit I was car rk-d away a bit with my protagonist. Yet we fina easy villains in women USA has fastened on to Imelda Marcos s shoes She is a figure of easy ha I red The real tyrant re mains shadowy tn USA as elsewhere. People remember Maric Anloln ette. and her "Let them rat cakes ', but don t remember others who also brought on the French Revolution. ' lots commented.
Dwelling on her exper knee as a journalist, she Informed her listeners about how she did police reporting. T had to satisfy both the editor and the police. Not too many
i women go In for journal ism of that sort. I had to be careful and objective. Women journalists are often not trusted . as It la believed that they cannot be ’cool'. 1 felt an enormous responsibility to other women. I dared not make mistakes. I believe that journalism is iIk-best way to begin a career for a writer." the novelist narrated
As for freedom for writers. Lois believed that Issues such as pornography and obscenity arc matters that have to be carefully dealt with There are racist images and a lot of scenes on crime, which are shown on TV. and are carried in books, which could be controlled, she be lieved. There is a Wiggly line between what is wrong and right".Lois said with a smile.
Regarding Rushdi's "Satanic Verses". Lois felt that it was an unthinking and offensive material.' The irony is being offensive to be famous. " she added.
With two sons and a handful of dogs, and time off in Ireland. Lois appeared to be doing well for herself. Her debonair appearance with the flamboyant bejellewed butterfly at her throat, and trendy clothes spoke of success.