Pandora of Athens 399 B.C.

This is the story of Greek girl from a rich family. Pandora is like most Greek girls of the time. She has very little future ahead of her except as a wife. She will not be allowed to vote, and women are not expected to get an education. She is kept home most of the time, but on one of her trips to get some water she runs into the philosopher Socrates.

Socrates is one of the most famous of all philosophers, and in this story he befriends Pandora who becomes interested in the way Socrates talks and questions things. There is also a young boy who befriends her. Pandora gets to go to one party and listen to Socrates talk, then he ends up being arrested and tried by the state. He's found guilty and ends up drinking poison.

The book is interesting in that it shows a little bit of the average daily life of a rich girl of ancient Greece, yet in some ways a lot of potential is lost in the novel. Because Pandora is kept inside almost all the time there are no references to her going around Athens and seeing any of its wonders. There probably could also have been some material added about her daily live and the lives of other peoples of that time.

Her interest in Socrates is understandable since Pandora is a rather independent and very intelligent girl yet Socrates seems to take a great interest in the girl almost too quickly. Her decision to run away and follow her boyfriend after the death of Socrates is understandable, but I still think she would have left at least a short note for her family.

In effect, the book seems sort of rushed and a little artificial. It's all right, but it could be a lot better.


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