Discussion Summary

Overall, I think we had a good discussion today in class. I was fortunate enough to get a rich chapter full of so many events and incidents. It was hard to pick out some of the most important events. One of the topics that we spent more time than I expected on was the topic of why so many people like Gertrude Stein and Alice Toklas so much to the point where they are able to talk to people of authority in a bold manner. Many of us discovered that Stein was very well known as the time and better understood why Stein spoke in the manner she did to these authority figures. It seems as if she is using her popularity to get her way with the people she wanted something from. Also, I liked how we talking about Alice's voice which we never had before. Someone pointed out that one of the reasons why she decides to do this is because we are able to see another side to Stein that we never were able to see before, her emotional stand view. These elements are shown through intimate moments between her and Alice, before the reader never really got a since on any of Steins emotions that she felt. As one person pointed out, Alice in this chapter seemed more humorous and understandable that Gertrude has in the entire book. The final topic I would like to bring up is about when Toklas meets her last genius, Doctor Whitehead, who she fails to mention a lot about. Many of you all came to the conclusion that the reason that Whitehead is not talked about is because Alice and Stein did not have as intimate of a relationship as they did with Picasso. I guess I will have to take it as is, it just really frustrated me. How can you say this person was a genius but knew nothing about him?

We missed those of you there were not in class today because I would have love your input on such an extensive chapter. Thanks the discussion for those of you who were in class!!!