Ida speculates on why Vanner creates Helen so unlike the actual Mildred. Why do you think he made her so crazy and fragile?

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2 years ago
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Judy Lindow Vanner's book was another way of showing how a narrative is controlled by those 'That Can'. Many see how history is controlled and written by those in power. And why and how do they do it? Well in both men's cases they used 'their power over' using money, influence, culture, history, having access to the media and taking advantage knowing what sells, gender privilege ... I think the intensity of the betrayal comes from the idea that Mildred's point-of-view is hidden or stolen from her. And how does one have a point of view? it is by having a body. So in a way it's like making her disappear. And she does actually die which is when history, the story can be rewritten; at a time when they can't defend or reveal the lies. What's nasty is that in both men's cases they used her trust and intelligence as a way to promote themselves - for money, notoriety, and the power to write history. The book shows how TRUST with the public is created using bits of the truth as a jumping off point, to make the story believable, at least hard to unthread the truth from fiction. It shows how TRUST is broken when the person, in this case Mildred, who freely offers up her life stories, advice, and experience - and is used to create someone else's story while being lied about. Some might say, But she let this happen, she didn't care. But the hidden journal is evidence she did want to be heard. It was clear evidence that not only did she care, but that she was aware she had to hide that she cared, and that she was smart enough to not TRUST those around her fully.

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