What's in a Name?

The difference of authors genders in this time period is essential to further understanding the texts. Gender roles were so well differentiated in the 19th century that there SHOULD be a difference in the ways in which they write. In the Wide, Wide World, it was quite obvious that it was written by a woman because of the emotions of Ellen and the intimacy between her mom and her. This could only be articulated as well as it is by a woman who has experienced similar relationships. In the way people and places are described we see chosen descriptive words that could indicate the gender of the author.

I find it interesting that Lord Fauntleroy was described as having golden locks of hair and the "greatest charm was this cheerful, fearless, quaint little way of making friends with people" (446). I feel like discussing interpersonal relationships in such a way is a very feminine thing to describe. Everything is "quaint" and "beautiful"...words that are entirely appropriate for women to use but may not be as acceptable coming from men. It is interesting how in the readings we have had, it is women talking about the American girl and men about the American boy. I feel like in the readings about the American boy, up to this point, everything is so straightforward and laid out for us. In writings with female authors, however, there tends to be more details and more attention spent to settings and relationships. We see this displayed in The Hidden Hand when setting of Hurricane Hall was described with such careful detail as was the features of Old Hurricane which set the stage for many interactions to come. I think that the readers approach to the text is different when the gender of the author is known.

Parenting

I found it interesting looking at the role of parents in the 19th century. Aunt Polly was Tom Sawyer's primary caregiver which I find interesting that in a lot of these novels we've read, many of the caregivers have not been a mom or a dad but given by someone else. Nan Grant was the wretched old woman who took care of Gerty and she "pulled the child into the house, amidst blows, threats, and profane and brutal language" (81). Gerty was beaten for no reason, she was just seen as an inconvenience to Nan Grant so Nan seemed to take any chance given to release her emotions on Gerty.

We see a sharp contrast with Aunt Polly who though she beats Tom, she feels remorse. "then her conscience reproached her, and she yearned to say something kind and loving; but she judged that this would be construed into a confession that she had been in the wrong,and discipline forbade that. So she kept silence, and went about her affairs with a troubled heart" (421). Tom probably deserved more than he got simply because he is a little stinker but seeing the compassion and remorse in Aunt Polly helps us to be able to understand the emotions behind the actions. Not that this justifies it, but it helps keeps the readers view of Aunt Polly remain positive. We can see that in a moment of fury, Aunt Polly let loose on her emotions but then was very sorry for what she did. For the audience that read this novel,it spoke to the parents because I'm sure that many parents feel bad about spanking their children after but don't apologize because then that means that their kids are above discipline and have no need to respect their parents. At the same time, seeing Aunt Polly remorseful can help to encourage children that being disciplined does have an effect on the discipliner and that getting a spanking doesn't mean that their parents or caregivers are bad and terrible people.

Ragged Dick

The image of the American boy is so drastically different than that of the American girl. I love the fact that Dick is so charismatic and funny! On page 336, it says "in spite of his dirt and rags there was something about Dick that was attractive". Nothing about a girl being in rags was ever portrayed as attractive. In fact, much of the time that was what made them damsels in distress. Even our fearless Capitola was taken in by a wealthy old man and cleaned up. It's almost this image that the boys of the 19th century were meant to get dirty! Living for yourself on the streets and making money and building a personality along the way builds character.

Dick is a hard worker. After cleaning three men's shoes "he had been up an hour, and hard at work..."(343). He earned his money and even said that "you don't catch me stealin..."(334). He was honest, for the most part, for the money that he possessed. This teaches boys that they are to work hard to support themselves while the American girl was meant to be provided for. We see the gender roles here clearly marked as one day the American boy will provide for his American girl and they are socialized into that at a young age!

Dick was very independent, he lived by himself, worked for himself and supported himself and even managed to have a little fun. The lack of discipline and structure in Dick's life allows him to live with a sense of independence that wasn't heard of with the American girl. The girls had very structured lives that gave way to proper young ladies while boys were encouraged to assert their independence and make something of themselves.