To: Sarah

quickly, i never said that Houston was an ignorant feminist. although by the nature of her writing, and without any personal history, and this story solely as evidence, she seems to convey that attitude to the reader.

so, question from sarah: Jack Treseler, my question to you is this: what do you mean when you say Pam Houston is ignorant? What is it exactly that she is unaware of? That this story is so not a feminist story? or do you still think it is?

I never said it wasn't a feminist story. In fact i never made such a comment. Do i think this story has elements of a feminist view of the world? of course. However, i personally do not agree with the way Houston portrays men in this story. The only male character in this short story is that of the "hunter." The hunter is given no name, therefore he represents all of us (us being males) and in that regard her statement (or reference, inference, whatever you want to call it) that all men are players (based off the nature of the hunter), i find personally general, ignorant, and yes incorrect. However i do not have enough or adaquate information to say that Houston herself is ignorant. just the way she portrays her characters, and the attitude the story gives off i view as ignorant.

by using the phrase "ignorant feminist on repeat" i don't know if many of you have met one. i have met a couple. and lemme tell you that those i have met say the same things. Men are the predators and women are the victims. And again and again they say that. And me living with an educated feminist (mother) i've come to expect a better argument from those who consider themselves feminists. frankly, i got bored with the message that Houston sent out in that regard.

I personally do think this story is a feminist story, mostly based off the descriptions of the main character and Koyote. K seems like an independent, strong woman, and views the hunter the same way he views other women. In short, K is empowering. I still do not think that this view of women as animals or something to be hunted is right. However i also do not believe that the same views should be entertained by women. Whether in reaction to men or not. To be Truly empowering, and to Truly show men that women are more than meet, women, i personally believe, should rise above that mediocre mindset.

as for rereading the story, of course i will. However i also encourage you to do the same, Sarah, as both of us may have missed a few things the first time over.