ENGLISH 4 : MODULE 03 : LESSON 08 INTRO: FINDING A VOICE
Traditional female archetypes fall into some familiar categories. Until the twentieth century, many of these archetypes served to define women and their role in society. In this lesson, you will be introduced to some women who spoke up against traditional archetypes in 18th century America.
Take notes as you read and complete the self-checks in this lesson because you will use the information to complete the assignment at the end of the lesson. Use the Finding a Voice note-taking guide to organize what you learn.
Objectives
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
analyze texts to determine the theme
compare texts to understand different perspectives on a topic or theme
In the 18th century, there were very clear expectations for women—their place was in the home managing household affairs, caring for their children, and supporting their husbands. In an article for the Pennsylvania Gazette printed in 1730, Benjamin Franklin set out a list of “Rules and Maxims for Promoting Matrimonial Happiness.” Read some of his advice to women and answer the questions at the end of the article.
Difference of Opinions
Many women were content to follow Franklin’s advice and embrace their lives as mothers and wives. Others felt this lifestyle limited a woman’s potential so they called for increased educational opportunities. They reasoned that, even if a woman’s place was in the home, she would benefit from further education and in turn she could more effectively manage her household with increased knowledge.
One of the earliest supporters of equal education for women was Judith Sargent Murray.
In 1790 she published the essay, “On the Equality of the Sexes.” Read her thoughts on education for women and answer the questions that follow.
What Are They Really Saying? Analyzing Tone
To understand a writer’s meaning, you have to pay close attention to the tone he or she uses. Tone is a writer’s attitude toward a topic. Differing attitudes result in diverse interpretations of the same topic. Imagine the difference between a vegetarian’s and a cattle rancher’s response to the topic, “Meat is an important part of a balanced diet.”
Check It Out
Need a refresher on tone? Take some time to look at this review.
Killing Them with Kindness
You may have heard the old saying, “You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar,” which emphasizes that being sweet is the way to get what you want. Although Franklin and Murray have very different opinions about the role of women, they both used this approach to connect with their audience. You need to look at the tone they use to discover the intent behind their polite style.
Take a closer look at the selections you read from Franklin and Murray to see how tone influences meaning.
FranklinMurray
Killing Them with Kindness—Text Version
Tab 1 – Franklin
Franklin presents his rules for a happy marriage to women using these words:
I am now about to lay down such Rules and Maxims as I think most practicable and conducive towards the Happiness of Matrimony. And these I address to all Females that would be married, or are already so; not that I suppose their sex more faulty than the other, and most to want Advice, for I assure them, upon my Honour, I believe the quite contrary; but the Reason is, because I esteem them better disposed to receive and practice it, and therefore am willing to begin, where I may promise myself the best Success. Besides, if there is any Truth in Proverbs, Good Wives usually make Good Husbands.
Reveal correct sentence
Condescending – he thinks women will not understand his message so he talks down to them
Earnest – he genuinely wants women to listen to him so they can have happy marriages
Irritated – he is annoyed that women do not know how to be good wives
Joyful – he sees that women know how to be good wives and uses them as an example
Reveal correct answer
Tab 2 – Murray
Murray is writing to an audience with traditional values, like Franklin’s. She is proposing something very non-traditional – education for women. She walks a fine line in her writing, needing to make her point without directly challenging those values. Her true meaning is veiled by politeness.
The key to understanding Murray’s tone lies in this question:
“I would calmly ask, is it reasonable, that a candidate for immortality, for the joys of heaven, an intelligent being, who is to spend an eternity in contemplating the works of the Deity, should at present be so degraded, as to be allowed no other ideas, than those which are suggested by the mechanism of a pudding, or the sewing the seams of a garment?”
Look past her polite approach. What do you think she is really saying here?
Answer box for students to type response – check you understanding arrow shows feedback.
Check Your Understanding
Knowing that her overall tone expresses irritation with men for discounting women’s potential, revisit Murray’s words from the beginning of the excerpt:
“Nay, while we are pursuing the needle(sewing or embroidering), or the superintendence(directing and supervising) of the family, I repeat, that our minds are at full liberty for reflection; that imagination may exert itself in full vigor(active mental strength); and that if a just foundation is early laid, our ideas will then be worthy of rational beings.”
Which of these does Murray accomplish by pointing out that, during their everyday tasks, women’s minds “are at full liberty for reflection; that imagination may exert itself in full vigor?”
She lets her audience know that she thinks
women would rather spend their time thinking of imaginary things
women are capable of using their minds and that they do it often
women would like the freedom to reflect on their tasks
women are interested in creative thought more than academics
Reveal correct answer
Because Murray thinks that women’s minds are capable of more than just reflection and imagination, her tone at the end of the statement can be interpreted as being sarcastic (saying one thing, but meaning another).
“Nay, while we are pursuing the needle(sewing or embroidering), or the superintendence(directing and supervising) of the family, I repeat, that our minds are at full liberty for reflection; that imagination may exert itself in full vigor(active mental strength); and that if a just foundation is early laid, our ideas will then be worthy of rational beings.”
What elements show her sarcastic tone? Check all that apply.
She uses the word “early” to acknowledge that women have waited too long to learn.
The word “foundation” implies that women are not solid thinkers.
The word “then” digs at the idea that men feel women’s ideas are not currently worthy.
She calls men “worthy beings” to emphasize their assumed superiority to women.
Reveal correct answer
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Speaking Up for Equality
On July 4, 1776, American colonists declared independence from the oppressive rule of England, stating in the Declaration of Independence:
“When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…”
However, in the 1790s a group of students at a girls’ school in Litchfield, Connecticut saw the need for a few revisions to put a new spin on the Declaration of Independence. Here’s what they came up with…
Select the slide to flip…
Look at the differences in the Declarations side by side to see what the ladies have done to turn the men’s words into a statement for female equality.
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another
When in the Course of Human Events, it becomes necessary for the Ladies to dissolve those bonds by which they have been subjected to others
Examine the differences
and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them
and to assume among the self-styled Lords of Creationthat separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and their own talents
Examine the differences
Even Abigail Adams, wife of future president John Adams, chimed in on granting equal position to women in the newly forming American government. During the drafting of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 she wrote to her husband:
I long to hear that you have declared an independence and by the way in the new Code of Laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make I would desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the Ladies we are determined to foment a Rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation.
Speaking Up for Equality—Text Version
What do Abigail Adams’ sentiments have in common with the Ladies’ Declaration of Independence?
Check Your Answer
What does Adams say women will do if they are not included?
Check Your Answer
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Lesson Summary
In this lesson, you have explored many different interpretations of women in the 18th century. For this assignment, you will present what you have learned about the writers and their opinions through a creative product.
Choose two of the writers in this lesson.
Benjamin Franklin
Judith Sargent Murray
The writer of the Ladies’ Declaration of Independence
Abigail Adams
Pose as one of the writers and write a letter to the other writer you selected. (For example, write a letter from Benjamin Franklin to Abigail Adams).
Your letter must address whether they agree or disagree.
Include evidence from their writing that reveals each person’s opinion on the role of women.
Be creative and give the writer of your letter a fitting personality. Use the appropriate tone to create that personality. (For example, given what you know about Franklin’s tone, you can assume that he wouldn’t write a rude or angry letter to Adams.)
Your letter should be a minimum of 10 sentences long.
A full credit response must cite the words of the recipient and react to them.
Your work will be evaluated using the
Finding a Voice rubric.
Assignment
Complete the reading for this lesson.
Complete the self-checks in the lesson.
In the Assessments area, submit your completed letter for 03.08 Finding a Voice.
On Track
17-25 points Needs Improvement
0-16 points
Position The letter presents the positions of both writers accurately and is thoroughly supported by evidence from the text. The letter attempts to present the positions of at least one of the writers, but is not adequately supported by evidence from the text.
Personality The letter establishes an appropriate tone to effectively communicate the letter writer’s position and personality. The letter attempts to establish an appropriate tone to but does not effectively communicate the letter writer’s position and personality.
Conventions
Spelling
Grammar
Capitalization
Punctuation
The letter contains minimal conventions errors. The letter contains many conventions errors.
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