Jamaica Inn My English teacher was the one to recommend the book to me. Jamaica Inn. It was written by Daphne Du Maurier in 1932 after being inspired to write it after visiting in the 1920s. Many of us will have seen the BBC mini series last Easter and the whole thing oozed drama and mystery. The book was much better than I imagined it would possibly be. The young orphaned Mary Yellan is forced to move to Jamaica Inn to live with her mother's sister 'Aunt Patience' and her abusive, drunken husband "Joss Merlyn." Mary is horrified at her Aunt's treatment and as much as she yearns to leave Jamaica Inn she vows to stay to look after her and protect her. It is during her time at Jamaica Inn that she realises that her uncle is hiding something, and it doesn't take her long to figure it out. Joss Merlyn is a wrecker. In a drunken stupor Joss Merlyn confesses to Mary, and tells her the truth of why he's the Landlord of Jamaica Inn. A dark mystery thriller wouldn't be the same without a romance. Mary finds herself drawn to the dark and roguish Jem Merlyn, Joss' younger brother. He's handsome and wild and Mary dare not trust him, after all he is a Merlyn. Aside from all that, Mary can't help but make a shaky friendship with the Vicar of Alternun, Frances Davey. But there's something oddly strange about him and like Jem, she doesn't know if she can trust him. I really liked this book, with it's highlights of feminism, sexuality, religion, and domestic violence. Du Maurier brings to light the fear and shame brought to a woman during a violent relationship and the dangers of love. A good read.

Why We Need Feminism For as long as we can remember women have always had less rights than men. It was only until less than 100 years back that the women of Britain received the right to vote. But when did men really begin to think they were so special? It's a question I find difficult to answer, when did women lose power and freedom? Some might argue that they never had it in the first place, but I'm not quite sure. Strong women such as Cleopatra, Boudicca, Queen Elizabeth 1, Princess Diana and Jackie O have used their wealth and power to make huge changes, changes that have affected people all over the world. But what about ordinary women? What chances and opportunities have they had over time to leave their mark on the world that is so often called a man's? You see, some might blame religion, and at first I'm tempted to agree. Women have been ordered silent and forced to submission because of religion, but did the founders themselves instruct this kind of treatment? Jesus Christ is a perfect example of this. As an agnostic I do not believe he was the Son of God but if you examine the things he said and the way he treated women at that time, you'll notice one thing that keeps cropping up. He never said that women were the weaker sex, he never said that women were to be denied an eduction, in fact he did the exact opposite of things. The time Jesus was alive women were forbidden to read the Torah and have an education however Jesus taught all genders. He included women in his teachings, mentioned them as key characters in the parables he told and allowed them to be near him and touch him for healing and spiritual guidance. Not only that but he, according to the Gospel's allowed women follower's and friends. So why did the Christian Church suddenly have such a reputation for inequality of women? I don't know the answer to that, but I'm reckoning that it's got something to do with an ex-Roman soldier. Women have always had this stereotypical image of a woman dressed in an apron with a child in her arms, stood by the cooker. The ideal woman. But through history women have rebelled, proving to men that women are more than just chefs and baby machines. Perfect examples of these amazingly strong women are Emeline Pankhurst, Edith Cavell, Princess Diana and Mary Seacole. Just to name a few. Together, these women have protested for equality, defied the laws of war, helped improve social standards for people suffering with HIV, and improved medical conditions. Even today this sexist attitude still exists, with comments from some men on feminist articles saying, "Doesn't she have a.floor to scrub?" Or, "Once she's finished I've got a sandwich that needs making." However, as one wise feminist once said, "It's comments like these that justify why we need feminism." And we do need feminism. We need the right to choose whether we want a child or not. Our daughters, our sisters, our mothers need an education, we need the right to wear what we want, when we want. We want to be able to get a fair trial in court and not be blamed for rape because we dressed 'slutty' or 'slaggy.' We dress as vampire's for Halloween but it doesn't mean we get staked in the heart. We need feminism because men get more recognition and honour for being a feminist than a woman. I think I've just about justified why we need feminism. And remember, if anyone says that they're not a feminist, simply ask them 'Why don't you believe that women should be treated equally?" To top it all off here are some #quotes from some celebrity feminists, male and female alike... "I’m a feminist; I believe that we should all be equal. But there’s a difference between finding power in being feminine and putting on a fake masculine front.” - Julianne Hough "Why do people say "grow some balls"? Balls are weak and sensitive. If you wanna be tough, grow a vagina. Those things can take a pounding"- Bette Davis "To call woman the weaker sex is a libel; it is man's injustice to woman. If by strength is meant brute strength, then, indeed, is woman less brute than man. If by strength is meant moral power, then woman is immeasurably man's superior. Has she not greater intuition, is she not more self-sacrificing, has she not greater powers of endurance, has she not greater courage? Without her, man could not be. If nonviolence is the law of our being, the future is with woman. Who can make a more effective appeal to the heart than woman?"- Mahatma Gandhi "All men should be feminists. If men care about women's rights the world will be a better place."- John Legend