In Elizabeth Fox-Genovese’s book Within the Plantation Household, we see the expectations of how the landed gentry’s feminine gender were to conduct themselves. I believe few today would like to be trapped in the role of women during that period.
Women of the great plantations were expected to be ladies. They were not to be vain, light-hearted, and focused on social interaction. Nothing could have been further from the truth. Most single, young women were intensely interested in their popularity and strove to wear the latest fashions. Invitations to parties involving potential spouses were highly sought. While most male children of plantation owners were sent off to college, women were afforded the opportunity to attend finishing schools. The quality of these schools varied, but all concentrated on the role of women in society. Most attended for two years and with rare exception, some attended for four years. While at school, they would study science, English grammar, literature, philosophy, mathematics, geography, history and religion. Some schools would offer instruction in Latin and Greek. But the governing intention was to ease young women gracefully into the responsibilities of their role in life. While young men were encouraged to study Latin and Greek, women were discouraged from this line of study and guided toward French. During this period it was considered a much more appropriate language for young ladies to master.
The majority of women married between 16 and 22. A woman was informally defined a spinster when she turned 30. Once married, life changed drastically. While there was forgiveness for the light-hearted young single lady, married women were expected to fulfill their roles. Married women were expected to be pious, demur, dutiful, obedient to their husbands, child-centric and focused on the day to day activities of running the household. They were not expected to be the intellectual equals of their male counterparts. Now, we do know that secretly most married women continued to want to wear the latest fashions and attend the most popular social occasions. The only difference now was how they could show it.
Judge Herschell V. Johnson, a Georgia politician, gave the commencement address for the graduation of the Wesleyan Female College of Macon in 1853. Wesleyan was one of the few places for women to attend college. Almost all were destined to be teachers. During his commencement address, Judge Johnson discussed the proper role for ladies in society. He believed women set the tone for society. That society could never be more refined than their actions. He believed women regulated customs, fashions and amusements. He also made a statement that “The polite lady is always condescending and gracious to those below her.” Politeness and gracefulness “invariably mark the well bred lady and they throw a charm over every other accomplishment.”
Where does Mary Boykin Chesnut fit into this mold that was being promoted by a male dominated society? She did not fit in very well. And we will discuss that another time.
But, please practice ...
But, please practice ...
