Diagram of the Heart by Glenna Gordan is about women from Northern Nigeria who write romantic novels in secret. The strict ways of society there are due to a terrorist group called Boko Haram which translates to “Western education is sinful”. Women aren’t allowed to write about love and marriage but they do so anyways. Glenna Gordan made sure to document it in her own way. Snapping pictures of various women in their safe spaces where they create and write their books. Most photos taken are of people in vibrant clothing surrounded by a dark background. Bringing your attention to the subjects of the photo.
The pictures of different hand writing is the one that stands out to me the most. Your hand writing is your signature. To capture the drafts of these women crafting their books makes the story Gordan is trying to show the world, real. Especially knowing that these women are being told to do something they love to do. Some would lose their lives over expressing their words to share with the world.