![]() The best part of their relationship is that it doesn’t take center stage in Across a Broken Shore. Quite the opposite in fact, as Willa’s mentor is consistently plagued by old-fashioned notions of women’s roles, and Willa herself is constantly forced to play the role of the meek and dutiful daughter. I’m not saying that sexism and the push for traditional gender roles don’t play a part here. ![]() Women are constantly fighting against the norms of the time and those are what they must overcome. After all, that’s what we see in many novels set in the past. It’s interesting that, in a historical fiction book that takes place around the Great Depression and focuses on dreams and drives of women, the main antagonist (if you will) of Across a Broken Shore *isn’t* outright, plain-and-simple fighting sexism or rigid gender roles. Many times, Willa following of her faith can be incredibly frustrating from a modern mindset, but Amy Trueblood articulates Willa’s beliefs and predicaments so well that it’s impossible not to empathize with the young woman. It not only informs Willa’s view of the world and the different gender roles, but it also introduces a strong sense of guilt and dictates just how individuals should live their lives. ![]() This novel does a great job of showing just how much Catholicism permeated all aspects and facets of life back then. ![]()
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