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.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
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.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
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.
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.
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