The Yellow Wallpaper

After reading The Yellow Wallpaper, we can see that Gilman through her writing was trying to affect change by demonstrating the gender division that existed kept woman in state of ignorance and child like behaviors, not letting women over excel. We can see this with the woman in the yellow wall paper, her husband would do everything for her, he made the decisions of what she was allowed to do such as not letting her go see her cousins and picking out the room where she would be staying. (pg. 356) Throughout the text we see that her husband is very controlling of her actions, she is not capable of going downstairs, or even to write in her journal, "there comes John, and I must put this away, he hates to have me write a word." (pg. 356). I believe that all his behaviors towards her made the narrator almost obsessed with the yellow wallpaper because for once she felt like she was in control, which then lead her to become almost insane. By this I think Gilman demonstrated that woman "were not able to handle being in control and have the power to make decisions on there own because of the fact that they have never been given the opportunity to do so.

In Ragged Dick, I believe that Alger too was trying to affect change by demonstrating, that even though one can be born and raised in the streets, it is possible to succeed in life. Alger uses ragged Dick a young boy living out on the streets of New York, who has no family, no home and a job that is not stable. Through this I think that Alger wanted readers to understand that through hard work it was possible to accomplish many things. He did this by using a young boy that many could pity and maybe use as a way to compare themselves to.

I think that both Gilman and Alger that change is possible but it just takes time and work to reach to the point of being successful.

Tom Sawyer

After reading The Adventures of Tom Sawyer it didn't surprise too much to see a child in the novel without parents. It was brought up in our discussion in class how all the children presented in the novels of this semester don't have their parents. Even Ellen Montgomery who had parents in the beginning of the novel, was left alone.



The good news is that even though the children don't have parents there is always someone in the novel who is willing to take care of them. In the Hidden Hand Capitola is saved by a man she encounters in the streets of New York, also in the Lamplighter, Gerty is picked up from the streets after her evil guardian Nan Grant kicks her out by True her "uncle." In Tom Sawyer we find out the Tom's mom has died and that his Aunt Polly has taken over his care. "He's my own dead sister's boy, poor thing, and I ain't got the heart to to lash him." (pg. 3) Even thought Aunt Polly can sometimes get tired of Tom and his mischievousness she does her best to care for him.



I started thinking so why is it that all this children presented in the novels don't have parents and the first thought that came to my mind was that the novels would not be interesting. I believe that the author purposeful placed these orphan children in the novels to perhaps get more readers interested in reading there novel. I find it more interesting when suspense and drama are present in a novel.

The Yares of Black Mountain

The novel of The Yares of Black Mountain, can be related back to the children theories we have read earlier in the semester. I believe that the presence of child in the story makes a difference in the way the "the mom" Denby is treated in the novel. The child and mother relationship is what interested me most in the story, there were several instances in the novel where it can be seen that the mother of the sickly child, Charley is treated good becuase of the fact that she has the baby, I think that otherwise she wouldnt have been offered a rocking chair, food, or a petticoat. "That baby's not wrapped warm enough for a night like this," said the woman of the house, and forthwith dragged out of a wooden box a red flannel petticoat, ragged but clean, and pinned it snugly about him. (pg. 247). This part of the novel was my favorite because it was a very nice and kind act of the lady to offer her petticoat to Denby to keep her child warm, it also proved to Mrs. Cook that people do do nice things to help others. In another instance Jonathan milks a cow to feed the poor child. It is interesting to see how many people are willing to help the woman and her child.


Throughout the novel the mothers purpose was to save her child, even though she knows that the baby is ill she stays positive and open minded that things are going to turn ok. I liked Denby's character because she is willing to leave and put her own life at risk all to safe her child. I still wonder what her actual reason was to leave her home and go to the south but to me it seems like her purpose of leaving New York was because she was running away from death, and in the end the child wasw able to live through the help of others.

Ragged Dick

I have enjoyed reading Ragged Dick, it has been on of my favorite novels that we have to read. After reading Ragged Dick, it is evident that there are several differences between the other novels we have read this semesters. One of the main difference that we see being protrayed between little boy and little girls is that the little girls in our past readings were taught and instructed that they need to behave well and learn how to do chores around the house in order for them to be seen as proper young ladies. While in the other hand in Ragged Dick it is never seen in the reading where Dick is being told to behave well and be a good little boy. Even though the narrator does lets us know that Dick is a good boy. "He would not steal, or cheat, or impose upon younger boys, but was frank and staight-forward, manly and self-reliant. His nature was a noble on," (pg 258). As can be ssen Dick is a good hearted kid but even as a good kid Dick can be a bit mischevious. Dick lies, drinks and smokes. (pg.256) Compared to the little girls in other novels that would have never been seen and if they did they would have been probably punished. Another comparison that I can make is that in the novels with the little girls it was important for them to know about God and the bible. It almost seemed that if they did not know about the bible, they were bad and were encouraged to read it. Whereas in Ragged Dick, Dick mentions that he has never has never read the bible and that reading gives him a headache (pg. 303). This shows that in the text religion is not a big part of Dicks life and it is ok. I think that as we continue reading stories with young boys we will see many new things that were not present in the novels that included young girls. I think that fictional representation of young boys is that they are independent, they are shown by the text that unlike little girls they do not need the guidance of an older adult in there life. Boys are shown as stronger, smarter and with the ability of being able to do pretty much whatever they want. After reading Dick, I also think that novels with boys are not going to end with a happily married couple instead we will most likely just see the boy succeed in life. Overall I think we will be seeing boys througout the novels accomplishing good things and gaining success up the social ladder.

This text was definitely very interesting, it grabbed my attention as soon as I started reading it. I liked how I never knew it exactly what Sybil's intentions were or what was going to happen next in the story.

With the introduction of the concepts of insanity into the text, made things completely change, I found it interesting how they used insanity get Sybil's fortune after all else failed. Throughout the whole time Sybil was in the asylum, I never believed she actually insane or manic. Only for an instance in the story I did believe she was becoming insane. My theory behind all this is that the original plan was to have Guy marry Sybil, and once they were married he would go forth with the plan of placing Sybil in an asylum. This plot would get rid of Sibyl and leave the fortune all to him and his father. "You are as a curious woman, sir, and always make me tell you all I do and say, yet never tell me anything in return, except this business, which I hate, because my liberty is the price, and my poor cousin is kept in the dark. I'll tell her all, before I marry her, Father." (pg. 228) Here we can see a clue of what is going to happen, they after the price which her money and Sibyl will be left in the dark, meaning the asylum. After Sybil encounters her mother in the story, it convinced me once more that Sybil was not insane and was placed in the asylum so that her uncle could keep fortune that was "supposed to be his". The messages that her mother was giving her for her to get away as soon as possible which made it obvious that she too might have possibly been put there to be get rid of. "If you are not mad, you will be; suspect you were sent here to be made so;" "Read, destroy, but obey it. I implore you to leave this house before it is too late." (pg. 244) After reading the messages it can be inferred that her mother too was taken to the asylum. She is urging Sybil to leave before she does become insane, she is warning her that if she does not soon leave she will be soon. A Whisper in the Dark, does show a different mother/daughter relationship. For once compared to the other text a true bond can be seen between mother and daughter. Even thought the mother is not portrayed as being physically present, the relationship can be seen as a good relationship, she is looking out for the best of her daughter. She cares about her daughter and urges her to leave, by giving there hints of what to do. (pg. 243-244) Overall I enjoyed the suspense of this story that kept me wanting to read further on.

The Hidden Hand

After reading the Hidden Hand, we once again see a young little girl struggling through the hardships of life. In the Wide, Wide World we see young Ellen raised to grow up to quick for her age, she too had to live the rest of her life alone without the care of her parents. In the Lamplighter, we see Gerty a young unprivileged girl that struggles through her young life being treated bad by Nan Grant. In the Hidden text Capitola also has had to live her entire life without the care of her parents, she struggles surviving on her own in the streets trying to find jobs that suit her and that will provide some money in order to feed herself.(p.180, 185) As I finished reading the text and with the discussion that we had in class I was able to make several comparisons and inferences between the three girls presented in these text. One major thing that I can see in all the text is the independence that the three girls demonstrate throughout the text. I say independence because I just can't imagine having to grow up living without the care and support of my parents, even though good people did come into the lives of the girls it is just difficult imagining having to grow up so young, they very independent girls who know how to take care of themselves, in the Wide, Wide World we see Ellen learn how to sew, do toast and do all the chores for her ill mother. In the Lamplighter we see poor Gerty defend herself and stand up for herself whenever she knocks Nan Grant out by hitting her in the head. (pg. 92-93).

Another thing that has been brought up in these texts were the innocence of children. We see this in the Hidden Hand, when Capitola dresses herself as a boy in order to get a job and survive out in the street. I consider this as innocence displayed by Capitola because she meant no harm to anybody in doing so. (pg. 185) As I mentioned before even though the three girls at one point in their life they were left without a mother or father, they all were able to find a good old man who enters their life and makes changes that greatly impact their lives in many ways. (pg. 185) Capitola after living in the streets dressed as a boy is adopted by Old Hurricane.

The Lamplighter

The depictions of girls haven't necessarily completely changed but some changes do exist. I believe that girls are no longer raised to be believe that they will be house wife's and are taught to only do house work. Such as in the Lamplighter Gerty is very excited to know that Mrs. Sullivan was going to teach her how to do house work. "What could I do?"stated Gerty. "You could sweep the room up every day; you could make the beds, after a fashion, with a little help in turning them; you could set the table, toast the bread, and wash the dishes." (p.108). Now in days little girls from the start are given the opportunity grow up into what they want to be and taught to believe that they have the same opportunities as men. I do believe that girls do struggle to find balance, but the same goes with everybody else. With so many things that go on during the day it is hard to sometimes balance things. Even I still struggle to find balance with school and taking care of my daughter."My! what an odd-faced child!--looks like a witch!" (p.81) In the Lamplighter Gerty struggles to find balance between her old life and way of being to changing her image of an ugly dirty little girl to a well composed little girl as well as learning how to take care of Uncle True. "She took the cat in her arms, smoothed down her dress, gave a look of interest and pride at her shoes and stockings and then composed herself, with a determined face to look patient." (p.105) Here Gerty is trying hard to show that she is changing and hoping that Uncle True will like her even more. I think that if Gerty were to be on the show things wouldn't be so different. Like when Amy asked Anna about how she does to even things out in her life and she mentions that she does yoga, she finds it relaxing, and Gerty also finds things to relax her and get her mind off of Nan Grant and how horrible her life is by escaping to the large wood and coal yard, or by watching the lamplighter who gave her hope there was somebody watching out for her. One thing that Gerty would have mentioned different from Anna was when Amy asked Anna about how girls now in days want to fit in, Anna responded by saying that girls should just accept who they are. I think Gerty would have answered differently just because she is trying to be a different person just to be liked by others and not being herself.

Uncle's Tom Cabin

The idea of slavery does complicate the ideas and theories that we have spoken about but I also feel that slavery even though not good, it did bring forth many changes towards society. I believe that this was written to teach the readers about slavery and give a different perspective of it. This made the readers view slavery in a whole different way that it helped in teaching children of the wrongs of slavery, and how they too are human and deserve to be treated equally. I can also see how the character of Uncle Tom can be seen as a role model. Even though he was a slave he can be appreciated as nice man, who wanted the best for all, he did not envy anyone and forgave all who would do wrong to him. (pg. 110). His beliefs and Christian way of living serve as example of how to be good people and wish no harm to no others.
I think that there was a big difference in between the Wide, Wide World and Uncle Tom's Cabin, but I think that even though it did use the horrors of slavery, it helped the reader understand that sometimes things are not perfect and humans do have defects and make mistakes. I think that through the use of slavery it can serve as an example of how immoral an unethical it is to discriminate or treat others bad. I believe that it help bring many changes to society and help people change their old ways and grow as better people. We can see an example of this whenever Mrs. Bird states to Mr. Bird, "You ought to be ashamed, John! Poor homeless, houseless creatures. It's a shameful abominable law, and I'll break it for one, the first I get a chance." (pg. 144) I believe that through Mrs. Birds character many of the readers were able to see the importance of helping out the slaves and it also allowed them to see that women from a different perspective too, it gave courage and faith that they too can stand up for their rights and up to their husbands and say what they feel and believe in.

The Wide Wide World

The Wide, Wide World exhibited two completely different roles of parenthood. First of all it displayed Mr. Montgomery as they type of father who was distant with his family, especially with his daughter. Mr. Montgomery was portrayed as the leader of the household, the one who made all the decisions. It can be said that Ellen and her father did not have a good father/daughter relationship this is can be analyzed through the writing that Mr. Montgomery is almost never present. “Captain Montgomery was away, which indeed was the case of most of the time.” (pg. 36) While on the other hand Ellen’s mother was portrayed as the total opposite, it can be seen that she cares for her daughter and wants the best for her. She teaches her about being good and living by Gods ways. Mrs. Montgomery stated, “you will succeed if you try, dear, never fear if you apply yourself in your trying to the only unfailing source of wisdom and strength of Him.” (pg. 34)

Throughout this piece of literature it can be seen the nurturing, and caring side of Mrs. Montgomery. She appears to be very close to Ellen as well and loving. At the very thought that one day they will be separated always brings sadness and tears to Mrs. Montgomery’s eyes.(pg. 30) One can assume that Ellen have a good relationship, it is seem many time throughout the writing they are both willing to do things for each other to make each other feel better. In the instance of Ellen she always is inclined to making her mother happy, by covering her emotions to not further hurt her mother. This is also seen with Mrs. Montgomery who sold her ring in exchange for the bible and things that her daughter would need. Mr. Montgomery can be seen as authoritative figure, almost as whatever he says goes. To me it seems like they both were intimidated by him, it never really states that they ever carried a conversation, which indicates that they didn’t interact with one another often.

It can be inferred that Ellen cares deeply of her mother, she can not stand the idea of being away of her mother. She seems to the type of little girl that will do anything to make her parents happy and satisfied with her. She is obedient and also helps her mother out, by making mothers toast and tea everyday. (pg.26) I still can't fully grasp how Ellen really feels towards her father, just because they never really mention him in the writing much, but I can imagine she is not very happy that her father is leaving and taking her mother along, and not her. I almost feel sorry for her to see that her father is leaving her alone at such a young age with family that she doesn't know has never met.

5 Main theories for analyzing children and childhood literature

While analyzing both texts McLeod's "Literature for a New Nation," and Sanchez Eppler's Introduction to Dependent States:"The Child's Part in the Nineteenth-Century American Culture." I was able to grasp several theories for analyzing children and childhood literature through their text. One of the main theories of children literature is that the purpose of the literature was not merely written to entertain the readers but to educate them.(McLeod, pg.89-90)It educated young readers about important lessons to follow in life to become good citizens as they age. "Moral didacticism was their sole reason for being their young readers directly." (McLeod, pg.90)The writers used real experience stories to enhance the teaching of the moral lesson to the readers to provide the children with models of how to be moral.

In order teach the children the moral lessons the authors used extreme examples to get their information across to the children.Their goal was to get the children to be obedient, well behaved and respectful to others. The stories would give examples of how to have good morals and manners. Some of the examples that were given by McLeod involved detailed descriptions of children who did not abide by their parents rules and in return something awful would happen to them for their wrong doing. In one example used the little boy did not listen to his parents when they told him not to go ice skating because the ice was thin, the child did not listen in return for being disobedience the child experienced a life threatening situation. (McLeod, pg.90-91).
Another main theory that can be analyzed through the children literature is that the literature was not only written to educate the reader about important moral lessons but to also educate the children about socialization, forming character and important skills, such as reading and writing (Sanchez, Eppler pg.xxi)It taught children how to conform to social expectations, and what roles to follow by showing examples of innocent children figures in the stories.

One of the other main theories that can be analyzed through the readings is that the literature was also used to teach children how to be humble, unselfish and to always put others before themselves (McLeod, pg94-95). The story used many example comparing good and evil to set their point across. These were traits that composed a good citizen. With the rise of a new nation and society it was important to teach children to never be selfish or to covet or want more than their neighbor in order to maintain equality within the new society. It almost seemed like they wanted everybody to be the same, the authors had ideas and illusions of the world resembling one another and idealized that all families and homes would be the same (pg.96).
Not only did the children's literature educate its young readers about morals and demonstrating good behavior but it also informed them and taught them about cultural transitions. (Sanchez, Eppler pg.xx)It taught children about differences between boy/girl, the transition of urban to industrial economy and racial inequality. In between the 1820s and 1870s major changes were occurring with society and for once major changes were occurring with children such as mandatory schooling and child labor laws (pg.xx(20)).

Over all the use of childhood and children in literature involves age because unlike gender, or race, or even class age is inherently transitional.(Sanchez, Eppler pg.xxv). And the use of children symbolizes a transitional phase that we go through our life period, in which we use to obtain our morals, beliefs and life lessons so that in the end it can shape us into the ideal adults.

About Me

Hi, I am Beatriz Munoz and I was born and raised in Fort Worth, Tx. I am currently a junior, majoring in nursing. Three things that you should know about me is that I love to dance and cook. I have a two year old daughter, so I am constantly busy, running around trying to keep up with her and school. One day I would love to own a house by the beach.

It had always been my dream to attend TCU, and even though I was confronted with several obstacles I didn't allow anything to stop me from following my dream. If I was ever made chancellor I would definitely do something about parking, I am a commuter and the only way to find a parking spot is arriving to school before 8:00am. If I could have the opportunity to have dinner with any three people, first of all it would be God, he gives me the power and strength to go about every day and accomplish all my goals in life. The second person I would love to have dinner would be with our President Obama, because I have hope that he will make impacting changes in our country. The third person I would have dinner with would be my Grandmother, who passed away whenever I was young.

I am interested and excited about this course because I get to read things that do not involve nursing. I have always enjoyed reading, but with school, I find it difficult to read something I chose and enjoy. Most of the reading that I do is assigned readings from my nursing classes. I find these readings interesting as well but I don't enjoy them as much because I view more as a task that I have to do. I also like that the theme we are following involves children. I find children amazing and I love working with them. Throughout middle school and high school I would write more, I took creative writing classes and I would always keep a journal but, now I really don't write much other than papers for school. I do text a lot though.

I hope to have a great semester and look forward to getting to know everyone.

I have read, understand, and agree to the terms of the course syllabus.