Relations between women in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Thesis: Relationships between women in the nineteenth century America created a web of love and support for women. Mothers and daughters, sisters and friends from childhood formed emotional and sometimes physical bonds that lasted lifetimes. These ties were acknowledged and easily accepted in their societies. Many women survived unthinkable hardships such as geographical isolation, child birth, and loss of children because of the unconditional love found in their relations with other women.
I. Introduction
A. Female friendship of 19th century not really studied before
B. Abundance of evidence suggests very strong emotional ties between women.
C. All types of relationships are suggested from
sisterly love to passion
D. In this world men are hardly noted
II. Defining and analyzing these relations
A. Question of method and interpretation
B. How to view same sex relations
1.Psychopathology
2.dichotomy between normal and abnormal
Secondary boarding school
English: Early origins photo of the boarding schoo...
The boarding school at sunset. Several dormitories...C. Viewing within a cultural and social setting
D. Based on the diaries of women from 35 families
from 1760s to 1880s
1.Represents brood range of women
2.Middle class
III. Sensual and platonic
A. Sarah Butler Wister and Jeannie Field Musgrove
1. Met while families vacationed; spent 2 years
together at boarding school
2. throughout life wrote to eachother talking of
their deep affection and their anguish when apart
3. Marriage brought physical separation but nor
emotional.
4. Made references that may imply a relationship
that is not necessarily platonic
5. Friendship lasted their entire lives
B. Molly and Helena
1. Met at boarding school
2. Formed friendship similar to that of Sarah and
Jeannie
3. many references to a physical relation
4. marriage brought depression and changes because
of now having male lovers.
5. Molly tells Helena she loves her as "wives do
love their husbands"...