The Epistle Of Deborah Dough Summary

“The Epistle of Deborah Dough,” by Mary Leapor has many hidden meanings and points that are meant to be expressed. In the very beginning we see a thank you for cheese that moves into the author stating there is no news at all, to an abundance of news. This news consists of gossip about the neighbors, Mary and a man, of Deborah Dough. A rather convoluted start to this poem, which is sent to the implied authors cousin, that seems to take the reader in circles. However, with a deeper analysis this poem reflects upon the author and the times in which it was written. Furthermore, it shows the divide between sexes using simplicity to relate the implied female reader. The author accomplishes this task by comparing aspects of people to food and cooking.

Mary, as discussed in the poem, writes poem all the time and they are not as good as she thinks they are. For instance, in line 11 through 13 the author states, “Our neighbor Mary-who, they say, Sits scribble-scribble all the day, And making – what – I can’t remember,” which is stating the works of Mary are not memorable. This is the first piece of gossip we come across in this epistle. Next, the implied author discusses her daughter Cicely and her talents. These talents include Knitting, cooking pudding, bacon, and pancakes, which seem like womanly roles. The roles will be discussed later, however, the fact that she brings this topic up while gossiping is hinting at her daughter being better than the neighbor Mary. Another character in this poem is a man who, in the public’s eye, is a good and outgoing character. He also writes good poetry and keeps up with his duties around the farm. Yet, he is someone who the implied reader, the cousin, should believe is not all he is cracked up to be. Deborah Dough is stating that his public self is a lie. In lines 43 through 47 the author suggests this by

Within the first few lines of this poem the implied author displays an indecisiveness that suggests she is all over the place in regard to thought. The following hint at this theory is when Deborah Dough asks about her cousin’s children and the “calf [she] take[s] delight in” (line 5). Here the we see the author suggesting that the cousin is the caregiver to children and baby animals around the farm. A task that is seen as womanly, therefore is the primary duty of woman of that time. As a caregiver woman are often tasked with the duty of cooking and preparing food for the household, which is the reason why things in this poem are compared to food. As it makes the discussion easy to follow and relate to as a woman. For example, in line 34 the author says, “rhymes as thick as plums in cake,” which is a perfect display of this comparison. Additionally, this keeps going in lines 35 through