A Lesson in Why Being the Storyteller Is Important

It strikes me often, that since I control the content of these pages, I have an awful lot of power in laying down memories for my children. They will, likely, look back at this at some point and through it, remember some forgotten stories, learn ones they never knew, and swear up and down that what I write could not possibly be true. That last one will be Helen.

Cleopatra is one of those lost characters for me. Other than a recollection of her asp-bitten shortened life and taking the role of seductive temptress to many, I simply don't know that much about the Hellenistic period.

And you know what?

Neither do a lot of people - including the people telling the stories. Stacy Schiff takes a stab at sorting out some of the history in her book "Cleopatra: A Life", and painting this most powerful ruler in a new light. And I loved it.

You see, I know how society likes its women. Society likes us quiet, docile, and ready to take care of people. And when women break those roles - well, the adjectives aren't always that nice. A confident woman is a b*itch, when a woman doesn't flinch at a tough decision - she's seen as heartless, and heaven forbid she should attempt to do something women simply aren't supposed to do. Just look back at the media coverage of Geraldine Ferraro's and Sarah Palin's Vice Presidential bid and Hillary Clinton's Presidential bid. Some of that news coverage is disgraceful. PunditMom has documented this for us more than once.

And those stories about women politicians and other women who break the mold? Just like the stories on this blog could become hardened memories for my children, those stories can become hardened in our psyches.

So Helen, I need to set the record straight. I talk all the time about how stubborn you are. You stomp your foot better than anyone I know - and your stink eye makes people flinch. And while it might seem like I'm complaining. I'm not. For as much as a pain in the tush as it is now, I hope you keep that fight, and I know deep down that some day, you'll be faced with a really tough decision. And you will stare your opponent directly in the eyes, without flinching, and you will make the smartest, strongest argument you can. And whether you win or not, you'll be taken seriously.

And after reading this book, I'm taking Cleopatra more seriously myself. She was one tough ruler.

Elaine

I received a free copy of the book "Cleopatra, A Life" as a member of the From Left to Write book club. I'm not quite to the end, but when I finish it - it's up for grabs. Any interest, Therese?