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This article examines the portrayal of natural disasters and racial dynamics in Kate Chopin's novel, The Awakening. It argues that the novel fails to acknowledge the material damage caused by a hurricane and the racial injustices associated with it. The article also explores the novel's depiction of Grand Isle as an idyllic retreat, ignoring the ecological and racial realities of the region. Additionally, it analyzes the novel's emphasis on swimming as a symbol of freedom, overlooking the historical context of racial oppression and the monopolization of natural resources by white people. The article suggests that the novel's focus on individual turmoil rather than social crises highlights the dangers of prioritizing personal narratives over collective experiences. [Extracted from the article]

On the most basic level, phytoestrogens can be defined as compounds found in plants that exhibit estrogen-like activity in the human body. Phytoestrogens are considered functional foods because of their diverse physiological effects beyond basic nutritional functions. The 2 primary categories of phytoestrogens found in food are lignans and isoflavones. Lignans are one major class of phytoestrogens and act as antioxidants in the body and are sources of dietary fiber, found in flaxseed, sesame seed, and some cereal grains. Isoflavones may act as phytoestrogens in the body and are found in legumes. There has been a significant amount of scientific research conducted on the health effects of dietary phytoestrogen, resulting in persuasive evidence of both the benefits and dangers of their consumption. Clinical recommendations have shifted significantly over time in response to emerging research findings, which has led to confusion in the general public and inconsistent medical advice from health care providers and health educators. The purpose of this commentary is to clarify the link between dietary consumption of foods with phytoestrogen content and disease to health educators, such that they will be able to advise others with current information.

Frantic Panoramas: American Literature and Mass Culture, 1870-1920 by Nancy Bentley. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2009. Pp. 376. $59.95 cloth. Nancy Bentley's Frantic Panoramas: American Literature and Mass Culture, [...]