The Yellow Wallpaper

I definitely think that writers definitely write to affect change. This brings us back to stories that have a didactic meaning. Most of the time stories are written not only to entertain their readers but also to share a deeper meaning. This brings me to the story that we discussed on Tuesday. The Yellow Wallpaper was definitely a unique story written not only to entertain the audience but also to promote lots of different meanings. The one that I want to concentrate on is the way Gilman used this story to promote women’s rights. During this time period husbands controlled their wives and made important decisions for them. “If a physician of high standing, and one’s own husband, assures friends and relatives that there is really nothing the matter with one but temporary nervous depression-what is one to do?” This statement is an example of just how men control anything they are able to. Not only is this story a good example of women being controlled but The Wide, Wide World is an even better example. Even though Ellen’s father is not around in the story he still finds ways to control Ellen and her mother. “It was a great relief to Ellen when her father ended his talking and left her to herself; for she felt she could not dress herself so quick with him standing there and looking at her, and his desire that she should be speedy in what she had to do could not be greater than her own.” Both of these stories are not only written to entertain, but are written with the thought of just how women were being treated during this time period.

Tom Sawyer Prompt

I really want to look at the national parenting aspect of this story. During our discussion we noticed that in the previous stories we have read, none of the children that we were focusing on were raised by their biological parents. This is very interesting to me considering children’s literature of the nineteenth century really focused on the relationship of elders and children yet none of these stories had the ideal parent to child relationship.
One thing that was mentioned in our discussion that I would like to focus on is the comparison between Nan Grant as a mother figure and Aunt Polly. These two characters were raising children that were not biologically theirs but yet they had a huge impact in the children’s lives. I think it’s ironic how in each story Nan Grant and Aunt Polly still took care of their biological children along with Gerty and Tom. It makes me wonder if their biological children were ever favored over Tom and Gerty. “Aunt, you don’t whack Sid when he takes it.” This quote is Tom referring to the fact that Aunt Polly never punishes her biological child Sid like she does Tom. “Her only chance of obtaining any share of the meal was to be on the spot when they had finished.” This quote is in The Lamplighter and is referring to the fact that Nan Grant’s son’s get to eat before Gerty. I believe that some parents who have mixed families have a real tendency to favor their own biological children over ones that have been adopted into their family. I think this problem is something that can be deeper looked into even today.

The Yares of Black Mountain

There were two very different significant things that struck me as interesting in this certain piece of literature. One of them is Mrs. Cook’s continuous bitter attitude throughout the story no matter the circumstances. Another interesting aspect to this story was the sick baby.
First I would like to discuss Mrs. Cook’s attitude. They never give a specific reason for her bitterness. I thought this was very interesting. Throughout the story she gripes continuously about everything. “What a queer tribe we have fallen among!” said Mrs. Cook is scarcely lowered tones. This comment was made by Mrs. Cook along with many other unnecessary comments. This was very frustrating to me, especially after the people opened up their home and provided them with what Davis made it seem a delicious dinner. It seemed that no matter how good the dinner was Mrs. Cook would always find something to gripe about. I don’t know if there is really any certain meaning to this attitude at all but it was very distracting throughout the story.
Another aspect of this piece of literature I found very interesting was the little information we were given about the sick baby. We get connected to this baby from the mother’s drive to save her sick babies life by going up the mountains. I found it very interesting that even though we are given so little information about this one little character how big of an impact he plays in the story. “There was a certain purity in the cold damp air that eased his breathing, and the red petticoat was snug and warm.” This is one of the few comments made about the sick baby. It does not directly refer to it yet you still form a connection with it because the textual detail is so vivid. I think that the author really gave you less information about this sick child for a certain reason. I believe this child was the main purpose for the story yet was not the main character which is not very often seen in literature. I believe it was his mother’s burning drive to save him that made this story complete.

Ragged Dick

There are many drastic differences between girls and boys in American literature. As we’ve seen in many of the stories we’ve previously read, girls are very predictable and proper while they boys we’ve been introduced to are adventurous and spunky. One major aspect of their differences is how the role of religion plays a part in their everyday lives. When we read the Wide, Wide World, we were introduced to Ellen a young girl in the nineteenth century who strived for a relationship with God and the knowledge of religion. When reading Ragged Dick the tables are completely turned. “Did you ever read the Bible? Asked Frank , who had some idea of neglected state of Dick’s education. No said Dick;” this quote shows that the importance of the Bible and religion had no impact on Dick’s life at all.
The representations of boys in the nineteenth century not only adds a unique element to American literature, but also the comments made about society. In my opinion, boys add a fun, edgy sense of style to literature. They are a breath of fresh air compared to the strict, straightforward little girls. I think it gives society a sense of hope and really shows them all the different opportunities that are out there for not only boys but girls too.

A Whisper in the Dark

The concept of insanity is definitely not something we have ever seen before. It definitely fits perfect with this story but not so much when considering the nineteenth century. In all of our previous novels the reader has had either a very strong bond with their mother or not one at all. We’ve never really gotten the opportunity to have the concept of insanity connect a mother and a child the way it does in this story. I don’t believe that insanity is seen very often in the nineteenth century and that is one of the important aspects that draws you in to this story.
This really alters the reader’s reception of the story many times. At first Sybil really represents herself as a normal girl with no mental problems (besides the issues with her uncle) you can somewhat assume that she has been raised normally. After one turn of the page Sybil is in an insane asylum. With this aspect being brought into the story who wouldn’t start to have mental issues? “Child! Woman! Whatever you are, leave this accursed house while you have power to do it.” This is a quote from Sybil’s mom’s letter. After reading this you can definitely see one of the many issues that Sybil is having to deal with as a eighteen year old girl. This really shows just how the insanity in this story really actually seems to make sense and pull the whole story together. This story really struck my attention and really brought in another aspect of children's literature in the nineteenth century.

The Hidden Hand

When looking at this novel it is very difficult to pick out just one aspect that really caught my attention or just one part that I found particularly interesting. With that being said, there is one specific quote in this literature piece that caught my eye and really contrasted everything we’ve read thus far.
“Yes, sir and the only thing that made me feel sorry was to see what a fool I had been not to turn to a boy before, when it was so easy! And from that day forth I was happy and prosperous! I found plenty to do! I carried carpet bags, held horses, put in coal, cleaned sidewalks, blacked gentlemen’s boots and did everything an honest lad could turn his hand to!”
This quote really makes you look at the role of little girls through a different lens. Capitola was so passionate about doing the works of a boy, this makes you realize the strict roles that society had placed on little girls. So far this semester we’ve really only looked at little girls and their roles and expectations in society. Some being proper, (Ellen) while some being rebellious, (Gerty) but we have never really had the opportunity to look at a girl this age being able to open her own eyes to the role of a boy. Southworth was really able to completely turn around children’s literature of the nineteenth century which is why this certain piece of literature became so popular at the time.

The Lamplighter

There are many very obvious different expectations that society has placed upon young girls today than in the nineteenth century. With this being said I would like to focus more on the similarities that Gerty and Anna both portray. On the show, a major element that Anna stressed was balance. She seemed to use that not only in everyday life but also in her activities like yoga. This was Anna’s way to relieve stress and meditate. I believe that when Gerty was pushed out of the way by Nan Grant, she also had her way of escaping stress and meditating. “Near the top was a little sheltered recess, overhung by some long planks, and forming a miniature shed, protected by the wood on all sides but one, and from that looking out upon the water. This was Gerty’s haven of rest, her sanctum, and the only place from which she never was driven away.” This in my opinion is Gerty’s version of yoga. I believe that if Gerty had appeared on this show she might have mentioned her hiding spot as her way to keep balance in her life. I think it offered her a safe place to go not only physically but mentally. I do believe that this shows a good example of just how important it was and still is for girls not find their own place in this world where they feel comfortable and welcome. I think this aspect of young girls will always remain the same.