What do you notice? What do you wonder?
Within this source, the pictures stood out to me the most. I could not pin point a specific photograph because I believe all of them held a certain significance. I ended up with the options of page 32. This source specifically stood out to me because of the title. The title revealed an important aspect of one’s own point of view and individual story I believe. It seemed to be somewhat of a yearbook and scrapbook all in one with the photographs, newspapers and table of contents included. I wonder how long it took Collins to put this scrapbook all together and why she chose specific newspapers and photographs.
Source:
This source appears to be a diary entry, phototgraph and scrapbook. It was created in 1925, Prairie View, Texas. The initial intended audience was to herself just for keepsake. It might have been a personal scrapbook for her to keep and to reflect on for memories. https://edan.si.edu/transcription/pdf_files/16011-NMAAHC-2012_94_0032.pdf
Context:
During this time period, I believe women were getting more involved into society. They were slowly progressing into a stage of speaking out and doing things ”their way” and began to run their own system. They became more presentable in society. Advertisements were also a big trend going on at the time because they were more of a call to action or attention seeker.
Implications/Conclusions:
This source was important for understanding American history because it revealed how things were back then and how women started becoming involved more into society. I believe it helps clarify some events going on at the time of the early twentieth century. I believe it was save for people like us to examine because it would provide us certain details of different experiences back then.
Discussion Question:
Do you think that the scrapbook held certain clues or any secret message behind it? Do you think that there were any missing pieces that could have been added?
Hi Aleah!
I like that you asked about secret messages and missing pieces. With this kind of source, as you noted in your post, because it seemed so individual and personal, it makes me want to know a lot more about Collins' life and what he found to be most important in terms of relationships, her education, leisure, etc. I think there are always missing pieces for historians, we want to know more and more! But, since it is such a personal, curated source, we're left with a picture of what Collins wanted to leave behind as the things that meant most to her.
Hi Aleahgrace,
Sorry for the late reply, kind of behind in my studies : / I too was examining The Girl Graduate but didn't get to finish my work. It definitely is a unique picture into the personal life of someone during this time period. I'm not sure it held any secret messages or clues in it. That would probably required quite an extensive study on the piece as a whole. Could be interesting to do though, especially if there was a secret message! I also don't know if there were any missing pieces that could have been added but I believe, again upon a thorough study of the piece, that would come to light. Thank you for sharing your source post!