Trailblazing Women of Literature: From the mists of time
Meet the early trailblazing women of world literature in this exciting new lecture series presented by Susannah Fullerton. It has not always been easy for women to write. Virginia Woolf famously wrote a “woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction”. Susannah will introduce us to the courageous women who braved societal disapproval and censors whose urgent desire was to wield a pen and insist on their right to expression.
This lecture will focus on women from the ancient world. Some time around the year 600, on the Greek island of Lesbos, Sappho began writing beautiful lyric poetry. Only fragments of her poetry have survived, but it is thought she was prolific, and she was hugely influential on other poets and writers.
In the Japanese Imperial Court of the Heian period around the year1000, Lady Murasaki Shikibu wrote The Tale of Gengi which some consider to be the world’s first novel. Her work influenced writers, artists and woodblock masters.
Julian of Norwich was an anchoress of the Middle Ages who wrote about suffering and divine love. Her writings are some of the very first in English by a woman.
Susannah Fullerton OAM is an author and literary historian. Her popular talks, online programs and literary tours promote the lives and works of great writers and have a huge following. Susannah is also president of the Jane Austen Society which is the largest literary society in Australia.
This event will be held in the Library Auditorium, Lower Ground Floor, State Library NSW.