After reading it again here is my interpretation: What is meant by "self-taught narrative" is a narrative of their experience in which they are "self-taught" i

After reading it again here is my interpretation: What is meant by "self-taught narrative" is a narrative of their experience in which they are "self-taught" i.e. taught themselves. It could be easy to assume a "self-taught narrative" is a narrative one teaches themselves i.e. a narrative that is subjective, self-assured only, and thus not valid; but I don't think this is what is meant. Hence, the line: > Other self-taught narratives Are not "other narratives I taught myself" but rather, "the 'self-taught' narratives of other people". I think this is implied by: > My self-taught narrative is not other peoples’ self-taught narrative note the use of a singular "narrative". I think the contrast/revelation of the line "This was a bombshell" is that this: > is a completely valid narrative, but a path that is predominately for women i.e. this is what she discovered, and still believes, and forms the basis of her rejecting her former contempt.