The Lamplighter Post

In todays society our depiction of girls has become one that prizes individuality and creativity yet still relies on the concept of hard work playing a large part of a girls success. In this case the expression "a woman must work twice as hard as a man to receive half the credit comes to mind" though of course slowly these ideas are becoming obsolete. Essentially a wider range of skills is expected of girls today as well as being well mannered and good natured. Anna however, the girl in the video, a modern girl, has found new techniques for dealing with stress. Rather than get angry or frustrated she does yoga and meditates. The thing I found similar to both girls is that they are both 'real' in the since that they do both experience stress--they don't have perfect lives but they both deal with it in different ways, perhaps in the past it was dealt with by building stress but for the girls of today's society, they are taught to release it in a positive way, which is healthier.

It is very possible that just as Willie learned to be kind and compassionate from his mother, Gerty learned to let her anger run free and control her when she gets angry much like Nan Grant did. If Gerty appeared on Amy Pholer's show she might talk about how balance was brought into her life by the lamplighter and how she deals with stress through different forms of screaming techniques and violence. Gerty might also show signs of having a low self-esteem since she does in the story so frequently. "O, yes!" said Gerty, "so glad you can't see me!--because now, perhaps you'll love me." Gerty has had over 5 years of Nan Grant which is enough to make anyone depressed.

The fact that Gerty experienced such a wicked character as Nan Grant at such a young and critical age has left serious marks on Gerty's personality. This could be the reason Gerty feels so conflicted when she throws a rock at Nan Grant's window when she is on the pleasant walk with Willie watching Uncle True light the lamps. "Gerty was silent, too, for the rest of the walk; there were clouds on her face, and she felt unhappy in her little heart." this quote is taken just after Gert throws the rock as she walks with Uncle True and Willie.