Monday, November 16, 1998
Women reveal
life stories, own bodies
to bring gender together
BOOKS: Cultural study uncovers role of breasts in society
By Megan Dickerson
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
Author and documentarian Meema Spadola sends a titillating
message within the first few pages of "Breasts: Our Most Public
Private Parts."
"I believe that every woman has a breast story – and I don’t
mean a story about her breasts," Spadola writes, in a clear-cut,
no-frills style. "I mean the story of her breasts. The premise is
simple: Breasts are the most public private part of our
bodies."
Breasts are omnipresent anatomical entities, but the stories
behind them often stay beneath layers of political padding and
cultural corsets. Spadola, one of the filmmakers behind HBO’s 1995
"Breasts: A Documentary", took this into extensive consideration,
fabricating a 249-page declaration of breast independence.
In her newly published, Wildcat Canyon Press paperback, Spadola
portrays breasts as more than just another biologically functional
body part, but a paramount sociocultural factor. Through a
sociocritical looking glass, it is clear that bosoms are two simple
pieces of flesh that can easily mold a woman’s entire outlook on
the world.
The book, part social critique and part slumber-party dish,
represents the dozens of women Spadola interviewed while filming
her documentary three years ago. Most of the women, except for the
very young, were interrogated and filmed sans bras or shirts.
Perhaps it was this literal unveiling that prompted some of the
very frank discussion that populates the pages of "Breasts."
Although it sometimes adopts a tone of female bonding, Spadola
effectively and objectively unveils topics often taboo in a
breast-bandaged society.
In chapters such as "Natural but Not Easy" and "Man Magnets vs.
Baby Magnets," mothers talk about nipple pain and breast-feeding
guilt. In "The AA to FF on Identity," women talk about the horrors
of being labeled a "C-cup" or "A-cup", and what those monikers
represent. In other portions, under section heads such as
"Sexuality" and "Health," strippers with nipples the size of pinkie
joints extol the virtues of breasts as professional tools, while
grandmothers recall their first sexual experiences.
"And through this," Spadola writes, "we might just learn
something about what it means to be a woman, or a pubescent girl;
what it means to have breast cancer, or breast feed, or grow older.
We might better understand how we think about our sexuality and how
we see our bodies in relation to ourselves and to our
partners."
Spadola has accomplished this goal, which is not as lofty as it
may seem. It’s all about common experience; from training bra
anxiety to nipple shape and size, the insecurities of others make
the female reader seem "normal" – if there is such a thing. Spadola
writes that because most women rarely see other women’s bodies,
many often have a "fairly warped" view of what constitutes "normal"
breasts.
Some of the most interesting anecdotes come from women of
advanced years, females experienced in every stage of breast
development and decay.
One such woman, 84-year-old Fannie, told Spadola the story of
how her mother treated her B-sized breasts as a sort of dowry.
Since her family was weak in funds, her mother found strength in
Fannie’s breasts, which were considered large in the ’20s and ’30s.
Fannie’s breasts substantiated her hope chest.
Few outlets outside a "Fried Green Tomatoes"-esque nursing home
can offer such a truthful, octogenarian perspective on an often
covert topic. But "Breasts," while it often seems to be just a
transcript of what must be an exciting documentary, puts down on
paper a history, an exploration and a "where-do-we-go-from-here"
perspective on the way we see breasts.
As such, the novel makes an interesting read for members of the
male persuasion.
Of course, a book blaring "Breasts" in bright red and orange
lettering from the shelves of Barnes and Noble inspires an
immediate literary attraction – that is, if one is perusing the
"Women’s Studies" rack in a carnal mood. But for men, "Breasts" can
offer some insight into things often seen as objects, plastered on
the ogled pages of Playboy and Hustler.
"Breasts" achieves a delicate balance between serious
investigation and fluffy female bonding. It is also an interactive
experience.
Making good on her assertion that "every woman has a breast
story," Spadola closes the book with a "Tell us about your breasts"
addendum.
Those with a bosom story to tell can send their tales to the
publisher, for possible inclusion in later editions.
All you need are breasts and an open mind – two things that are
more intertwined than many would imagine.
Comments, feedback, problems?
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