I completely agree that young girls are still stuggling today with different social issues just as girls were 150 years ago. Yes, obviously, times have changed but the issues have always stayed the same. Gerty is trying to find balance between all these new aspects in her life just as girls from all different times and find where she really fits in. In the video, the girl Anna says that when she gets frustrated she tries to find balance in her life. For Anna, the way she does this is through meditation; it is her way of "blanking her mind" as she calls it. Yoga is what makes her feel better, and Anna says, " we all need something to hold onto". Although she was speaking about balance in yoga, I think Gerty needed something to hold onto in order for her to find that balance. While living in those horrible conditions with Nan Grant, Gerty would always look for the lamplighter to brighten her day. Also, when the girls at school tease Gerty, she comes running to Emily for support. Gerty shouts, "Did anybody ever drown your kitten? Did anybody ever call your father Old Smutty?" (148). She is clearly upset and is searching for her place, all the while trying to balance her anger in her struggle to be good, but she cannot do it alone. She needs someone to hold onto, and Emily is her support in helping her find this balance.

Another strategy Anna talks about in overcoming your obstacles is never giving up. When asked what she would tell someone who is having a hard time, she answers "try harder". I think this relates to girls everywhere, because I know that no matter what time period or what situation, there will always be those instances that we believe we just can't do it. For Gerty, she tries so hard to be good. She has never been around anyone of any sort of good influence, so this new task proves a challenge for her. When Emily proposes that she must be good in order for God to love her and go to heaven, Gerty, frustrated, responds, "I can't do it, so I s'pose I can't go" (149) and again with, "I mean to try, but I don't think I can" (149). Girls will always have their doubts about themselves, but just as Anna said, you can't give up.

Another important aspect Anna mentions is you can't worry about what others think about; they have to love you for you and you can't worry about what you have to do for people to like you. This relates to what I said earlier about girls having doubts about themselves. Gerty has such a low self esteem and believes no one loves her because she is ugly. After she learns that Emily is blind, she exclaims, " So glad you can't see me!- because now, perhaps, you'll love me" (140) and again with "Because folks say that I'm an ugly child, and that nobody loves ugly children" (141). All children worry about if they are loved and what to be loved. They also worry about personal appearance, especially for girls. Those combined can make someone who has issues in both have some serious self confidence troubles. Gerty just wants to feel accepted, because never once in her life has she ever felt both pretty and loved.

I think that if Gerty had been on that show, she would have not offered the same advice. Anna seems very comfortable and mature while Gerty is dealing with many different social issues, still trying to fit in and overcome her struggles.