ipl-logo

Use Of Martha Ballard's Portrayal Of Life In Rural New England

1196 Words5 Pages

Laurel Thatcher Ulrich uses Martha Ballard’s diary to portray life in rural New England in the late 1700 and early 1800’s. Using this diary and other historical material she recreates the 27 years of life that Martha has disclosed in her diary. By using Martha’s life and words she recreates what living was like during the pre-industrial era. She features the role that midwives and women in general played in the economical survival of families during this era. The diary by itself does not shed light on all the social and cultural traditions of Martha Ballard’s time. By using it with other historical information Ulrich was able to spin a story that gave an understanding of this era. It also shows why Ballard’s story is worth reading about and …show more content…

Usually the husband or family of the expectant mother would give her a ride to or from a birthing. If this did not happen she was independent enough to get there on her own. There are very few instances that she records her husband or sons taking her. She also took care of her own payments and debts. This was usually taken care of by the man. Ballard was also paid well for her services. Ulrich made sure not to ignore the unpleasantness provided in Ballard’s diary. She dedicates Chapter 3 to the dismissal of Reverend Foster and the rape of his wife. It was then as now basically a he said, she said situation. Although the accused Judge North was acquitted it is very apparent that Martha and probably others think that he was guilty. She wrote, “North acquitted to the great surprise of all that I heard speak of it.” Ulrich points out that “for almost four years after Isaac Foster’s dismissal Martha neglected ‘Public Worship’.” According to her diary entries Martha made a point of not interfering in public business. She did not want others messing in her affairs so she chose not to comment on the dismissal of the reverend. She did however chose to stop attending public worship service for a few years. She did not stray from God though because she mentions him all the time in her

Show More
Related
572 Words | 3 Pages

As each of the chapters started off with the events that were written in Martha’s diary, and then expanded into detail by the author. Another primary source that Ulrich uses is The Trial of Atticus to show why during times of rape in the Eighteenth century it was difficult for women to press charges. Ulrich used The Tale of Atticus and other maps and charts, because it was difficult to paint the history with just Martha Ballard’s

Read More
742 Words | 3 Pages

In many sections of the book, locations vary between Virginia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. The reason her diary was published, or the thesis, was to show that while women did play a role in the American Civil War, the duties of women were greatly limited due to societal expectations and gender bias.

Read More
1036 Words | 5 Pages

In her book, American Jezebel: The Uncommon Life of Anne Hutchinson, the Woman Who Defied the Puritans, Eve LaPlante explores parts of the life of Anne Hutchinson. Her intent is to tell the story of Anne Hutchinson’s life and clear her name as a woman who was accused of being a heretic in colonial America. LaPlante walks the reader through the trial Anne Hutchinson had with the leaders of her colony and gives background information throughout the book to share the story of Hutchinson’s life. LaPlante starts the story of Anne Hutchinson’s life at the beginning of her well-known trial. She tells of the occurrences in the room and compares Hutchinson’s trial to her father’s trial, which was similar in their accusation and punishment.

Read More
490 Words | 2 Pages

Around the late 18th to early 19th century, colonial American New England life was centered on living independently and being finally free from the British Empire after the Revolutionary War. Establishing control of a newly founded government with set functions and a first president, there were progressive changes that America had to act upon post-war. However, behind the political aspects that are greatly highlighted in American history, the roles of women in society, particularly midwives shouldn’t be cast aside. Although women were largely marginalized in early New England life because of their gender, nevertheless Laurel Thatcher Ulrich’s A Midwife’s Tale is instructive because it demonstrates the privilege of men’s authority in society

Read More
801 Words | 4 Pages

In the nineteenth century, woman had no power over men in society. They were limited in their freedom, as their lives were controlled by their husbands. Some women did not mind this lifestyle, and remained obedient, while some rebelled and demanded their rights. “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, and “The Birthmark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne, are short stories that exposes the lifestyle women lived in the nineteenth century. The protagonists from both stories, Jane and Georgiana, similarly lived a male dominated lifestyle.

Read More
1557 Words | 7 Pages

Written by Christina Hodge, the book Consumerism and the Emergence of the Middle Class in Colonial America: The Genteel Revolution, was to portray a woman during the eighteenth century and daily life in Newport. Hodge talks about Widow Pratt throughout the chapters, she is not the main character. The book is also based on a historiography, which is the study of historical writing. The theme of the book is on gentility, the social superiority by genteel manners, behavior, or appearance. There is also the way of being genteel, the way to act proper.

Read More
86 Words | 1 Pages

In her article, “Three Inventories, Three Households”, Laurel Thatcher Ulrich argues that women’s work was crucial not simply for subsistence but that “women were essentials in the seventeenth century for the very same reasons they are essentials today-for the perpetuation of the race” (Ulrich 51). She believes, women were expected to do everything. They were not only to take care of the children, but they were also cook, clean, raise the greens and ranches. Mainly, women plays important role for the survival and continuation of life.

Read More
676 Words | 3 Pages

During the 19th century, women were overshadowed by the men of their household, therefore they had no sense of independence nor dominance. In Mary Freeman’s short story, “The Revolt of Mother,” the author presents Sarah Penn, a woman who takes a stand against her husband. In the beginning, the reader learns that Sarah is a hardworking mother and wife. She maintains the household work and meets her children needs. She is suddenly confused of her husband’s actions concerning their future.

Read More
1500 Words | 6 Pages

Not only, did Mrs. A. J. Graves support the pastoralization of housework and gender spheres so did Catherine Beecher. Beecher argued that housework was hard work, but believed women’s work in the home administered the gentler charities of life. Boydston writes, “Beecher enjoyed the new standing afford middle-class women by their roles as moral guardians to their families and to societies, and based much of her own claim to status as a woman on the presumed differences between herself and immigrant and laboring-class women.” For middle-class women, women were given more of an influence in their

Read More
901 Words | 4 Pages

Craft examines the usual roles of the Victorian men and women, passive women especially, requiring them to “suffer and be still”. The men of this time were higher up on the important ladder of that era. Craft believes the men are the “doers” or active ones in

Read More
761 Words | 4 Pages

As Winston Churchill said,” Success is not final. Failure is not fatal”. It is the perseverance and hope to continue that counts. This is the story of a boy named Junior whose key is his hope. The Absolutely True Diary is the life story of a Arnold Spirit (Junior) and his efforts to break the stereotypes about Indians.

Read More
906 Words | 4 Pages

In colonial North America, the lives of women were distinct and described in the roles exhibited in their inscriptions. In this book, Good Wives the roles of woman were neither simple nor insignificant. Ulrich proves in her writing that these women did it all. They were considered housewives, deputy husbands, mistresses, consorts, mothers, friendly neighbors, and last but not least, heroines. These characteristics played an important role in defining what the reality of women’s lives consisted of.

Read More
1125 Words | 5 Pages

Harwood therefore articulates the experiences of the 1950’s suburban housewives who were expected to forget the other aspects of their lives and simply be content with the joys and burdens of

Read More
1101 Words | 5 Pages

Book Report Ms. Peggy French English 10A December 17 2015 The Diary of Anne Frank Book Report “The Diary of Anne Frank” is a diary written by a young Jewish girl named Anne Frank. She wrote this diary while in hiding with her family during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. This diary, which was originally written in Dutch was translated into 60 languages.

Read More
962 Words | 4 Pages

 Of course Martha quickly replies with “I am innocent to a witch.  I know not what a witch is.”  and Hawthorne states “How do you know, then, that you are not a witch?” (Miller 505).  

Read More

More about Use Of Martha Ballard's Portrayal Of Life In Rural New England

Open Document