Margaret Fell and Mary Howgill were two prominent female writers during the seventeenth century in England, both whom were members of the Religious Society of Friends – more commonly referred to as Quakers which advocated political activism, equal rights for women and secular authority. Hogwill and Fell were imprisoned for years for endorsing Quakerism. Margaret Fell penned “Women’s Speaking Justified, Proved and Allowed of by Scriptures” A work advocating for the liberty and authority of women by spiritual justification. Mary Howgill composed a letter to the leader of Parliament: Oliver Cromwell, addressing how he persecuted fellow Quakers, corrupted the world for his own gain and turned his back on God and the Word of God. In this essay,
Having analyzed Fell’s work, we can begin to trace the similarities and differences between the two texts and determine the superior of the two. The Quaker women similarly stylized as works of prose as a means of conveying their subject matter across all audiences. The difference is that Mary Howgill does not use characters or figures from the bible to strengthen her position the way Margaret Fell does; instead her allusions are a reference to particular quotes and phrases from the Bible that which she uses to incriminate Oliver Cromwell and present a juxtaposition between Cromwell and Quakers. Her letter is structured entirely through her biblical allusions combined with fixed word connotations to invoke an emotional response from the reader. There is a visible difference in tone in comparison to Fell’s work; the words employed by Howgill are meant to penetrate the mind when read, it is in a way dramatic in its rhetoric while Fell’s tone is more articulate and formally based. Howgill’s letter is littered with exclamations such as “Oh!” and “Woe is me for thee!” as a way to display the letter as a cry to the spiritual fall of Cromwell, such exclamations deliver the discourse with sound and urgency to be heard and come outside of the page. Her distinctive voice is very intense and the allusions that which she cherry-picks allow her dexterity to attack Cromwell in such a fashion. For example, Hogwill makes claim that “thy way is now darkness,” (902). Howgill lifts these choice words as an allusion to Proverbs. The allusion is made to exhibit how Cromwell is now wicked and does not know the consequences that he will stumble upon from persecuting Quakers and turning his back on God. Howgill makes another allusion to II Timothy: “Them who suffer with him shall reign with him.” (903). The allusion used is Howgill’s attempt to foreshadow that Quakers will
Anne Hutchinson was a remarkable colonial woman who first came to Massachusetts in the fall of 1634. She is less remembered for her contributions in the new world as a wife, mother of fourteen, and midwife to many than for her eventual trial and banishment from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. I was interested in writing a paper on a colonial woman and chose Anne Hutchinson after a "Google" search turned up a very good review on a recent book about her life. I have been intrigued by the fact that the Puritans came to America to practice their religion freely, yet allowed no freedom to question their doctrine. The book, American Jezebel: The Uncommon Life of Anne Hutchinson, the Woman Who Defied the Puritans, is an excellent examination of this lack of religious freedom and the life of a woman that intersects it.
First, both of the main speakers within each of the following Puritan literary works were ministers during the 1700s, which was around the time of the Puritans. These works were also written within third person point of view. Now, both of these ministers then express their concerns for their congregation
Literary historicism, in the context of this discussion, describes the interpretation of literary or historical texts with respect to the cultural and temporal conditions in which they were produced. This means that the text not only catalogues how individuals respond to their particular circumstances, but also chronicles the movements and inclinations of an age as expressed in the rhetorical devices of its literature. Evaluating the trial of Anne Hutchinson within such a theoretical framework means speculating on the genesis of her theological beliefs with recourse to prevailing theories of gender, class, and interpretation. Because texts are self-contained spheres of discourse, nuanced interpretations of them can be undertaken with greater assiduity than in the case of individuals whose private experiences remain largely concealed from the interpreter's knowledge. A historical analysis of Anne Hutchinson herself is hence, in the present discussion, secondary to the analysis of how she comes across in textual discourse as a palimpsest of seventeenth century gender controversy.
Many historical events were taking place at the time in history the “Miss Polly Baker and “The Minister’s Black Veil” were written. For one, there was not a severance of church and state as of yet. In this essay, I will attempt to elaborate on the content and the similarities in these well-known pieces of American literature.
The male Puritans of the Massachusetts Bay Colony did not like women to think that they were above them, such evidence is the trial of Anne Hutchinson at Massachusetts Bay in 1637. The document is a transcripts of Anne’s trial. Anne Hutchinson was a rebel during her time and she was fond of the concept of Antinomianism, if your not as fond with this concept,let’s break it down “Antinomiansim” is a greek word it is formed from the words “anti” and “nomos”, “anti” means against and “nomos” means law when combined they form antinomianism which means in its simplest form, against the law or against laws. The transcript was most likely at first kept just for records but eventually it was kept not only to preserve history but to capture the human spirit.
The southern culture places much value on community, courtesy, and the standard of morality: the Bible. But under this facade of civility lie slanderous gossip, impure motives, and hidden iniquity. Faulkner’s character, Cora Tull, is a prime example of this. Though she openly admits that she has no right to pass judgment on Addie Bundren because, “It is the Lord’s place to judge,” Cora Tull later hypocritically states, “I realized out of the vanity of her heart she (Addie) had spoken sacrilege.” Cora’s desire for Addie’s repentance blinds her from seeing her own sin. On the other hand, Mrs. Turpin, a character in O’Connor’s “Revelation,” struggles with this same sin but in a different manner. Mrs. Turpin appears to politely encounter strangers with kindness but, alas, her kindness is corrupted. Though Mrs. Turpin’s sincere smiles and courteous small talk make her appear to truly care about others around h...
Between the years 1776 and 1876, many people from different backgrounds and religions joined the fight for women's rights. Among them were some of today's most memorable female activists, such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who was also a mother of seven children. She was first influenced by a Quaker woman, named Lucretia Mott, who she met outside of a world antislavery convention in 1840. Eventually, Stanton joined Susan B. Anthony, who was a fearless "militant lecturer for women's rights," in "a more strident, drive for divorce liberation, sexual freedom, and reproductive control for women. Other crusaders for women's rights include Amelia Bloomer, Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, and even the second first lady, Abigail Adams. Those who opposed the suffragists believed women to be inferior and "irresponsible" beings who were "physically and emotionally weak, but also artistic and refined." They also had "finely tuned morals" and were the "keepers of society's conscience." On the other hand, men were thought of as "strong but crude" and with a natural tyrannical and savage nature that needed to be "guided by the gentle hands of their loving ladies." Abigail confirms the male's natural desire for arbitrary power in Document B, for she stated, "[...] all Men would be tyrants if they could."
Indisputably, Mary Wollstonecraft was one of the most influential figures of Enlightenment, also considered the ‘first feminist’. It is certain that her works and writing has influenced the lives of many women and altered the outlook of some societies on women, evolving rights of women a great deal from what they used to be in her time. It is clear that Wollstonecraft’s arguments and writing will remain applicable and relevant to societies for many years to come, as although there has been progression, there has not been a complete resolution. Once women receive so easily the freedom, rights and opportunities that men inherently possess, may we be able to say that Wollstonecraft has succeeded in vindicating the rights of women entirely.
Mary Wollstonecraft was as revolutionary in her writings as Thomas Paine. They were both very effective writers and conveyed the messages of their ideas quite well even though both only had only the most basic education. Wollstonecraft was a woman writing about women's rights at a time when these rights were simply non-existent and this made her different from Paine because she was breaking new ground, thus making her unique. Throughout her lifetime, Wollstonecraft wrote about the misconception that women did not need an education, but were only meant to be submissive to man. Women were treated like a decoration that had no real function except to amuse and beguile. Wollstonecraft was the true leader in women's rights, advocating a partnership in relationships and marriage rather than a dictatorship. She was firm in her conviction that education would give women the ability to take a more active role in life itself.
Women’s rights groups were first formed by the same basic ideals that abolitionist groups were founded in: religion, moral, economy, and politics. The first women’s rights groups developed out of abolition groups, utopian religious groups, moral and urban reform groups, and temperance groups. Abolition created an impression that anyone who felt as tough they were being treated unfairly by society could stand up and fight for themselves, something that was highly frowned upon in the eighteenth century and times previous. It was not until the fight for abolition started having an effect that women really began to see the impact a collective group could make. There were a few key characteristics to developing a women’s movement: formation of a gender consciousness, recognition of subordination, vision of an alternative future, and development of an agenda. One of the first influences on women’s rights was Mary Wollstonecraft who wrote Vindication of the Rights of Women in 1793. Wollstonecraft was a philosopher who was highly influenced by John Locke’s creation of classical liberalism, which placed emphasis on limiting power held by the government in order to secure freedom on an individual. Wollstonecraft advocated for education, fighting that all humans have na...
The “Trial of Anne Hutchinson” written on 1637, was during the period where women are to subject to the man. Hutchinson being a woman did affect her trial. This is seen in the trial with Governor John Winthrop. He mentioned that she had done things that are not “fitting” for her sex. Not only did she get into trouble with the churches, who were headed by man, but was also accused for promoting her opinions that salvation is God’s gift that does not need to be earned. On the other hand from John Winthrop’s “Speech to the Massachusetts General Court” in July 3, 1645, he describes about two kinds of liberty, natural and moral. “Natural” liberty was liberty to do good or evil; it is based on one’s opinion. This form of liberty is less inconsistent
“The wretches have proceeded so far as to concert and consult the methods of rooting out the Christian religion from this country, and setting up instead of it perhaps a more gross diabolism than ever the world saw before.” (Mather 153) Perhaps the “gross diabolism” that he refers to is a world where women, similar to Martha Carrier, are not easily silenced or controlled by the authority of white, Puritan men. While Mather claims to be a historian and not an activist, and tells the reader that he was not there so he could not form any prejudice against those convicted. Despite this, he contradicts himself by slipping in extreme sexist comments towards Carrier, referring to her as a “rampant hag” (Mather 155). Through this, he assumes the role of the unreliable narrator because he is unable to keep his writing
Throughout the 17th century society revolved around a gender hierarchy that both men and women must follow. Many at the time believed that this hierarchy was instilled by God and nature, as seen in their religious books like the Bible and the Book of Common Prayer; both of which were to be taken very seriously. It was the norm for women to believe that their sole purpose in life was to maintain their social worth by being obedient to their male superiors such as fathers and husbands. However, many women began to question these gender roles. As tensions continued to rise, women would often express their ideas through poetry or prose. Two female poets in particular are Anne Finch and Mary Astell; both
Within the reading of this book, one has to realize that most of the literature has very religious overtones that run rife throughout the most works of this time. Howarth makes a great attempt to not let this influence the way he brings forth the history of the time. Making sure he does not let this affect his judgment, he does a great job of citing lots of sources and scrutinizing all of these along the way. He makes sure his facts are as accurate as possible as well as...
...eth century, however, the increasing concentration on feminism had led the scholars, such as Virginia Sapiro, to focus more on her views and philosophy, which renewed the interest in her works. One of the early critical readers of Wollstonecraft’s “Rights of Woman” was Hannah Mather Crocker (1752-1829). She wrote her book “Observation son the Real Reights of Women with their Appropriate Duties, Agreeable to Scripture, Reason, and Common Sense” which was the first American work on women’s rights. In her book, there were many similar ideas to Mary’s: equal intellectual potential and capacities of both men and women, a friendship between a man and a women should be a basis for their marriage, and the need for educational reform for women. Crocker, however, did not raise the issue of women’s right to employment or to political citizenship. (Botting, and Carey. 710-12).