Ellis' thoughts that a woman's existence should revolve around making the men in her life "happier and better men" (Ellis 558) should be the duty of those men. Her thoughts are also an insult to men. Men are perfectly capable of bringing about their own happiness themselves. In the end, no one can make you happy except for yourself and working for things that you want. Your life especially should not center around trying to become someone you are not so you can please others because your individuality and uniqueness is lost.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Sarah Stickney Ellis
Sarah Sticckney Ellis' ideas about a woman's duty are terribly outdated, even for many women of her time period. The idea that it should always be a woman's goal to have a "conversation which is best adapted to [her husband's] tastes and habits, yet at the same tome capable of observation, and subjects he may never have derived amusement from before" (Ellis 559) is absolutely ridiculous. It is not a woman's purpose to make a man a better person. Just because she will not be called upon to use her Latin skills daily does not mean that she should not learn Latin, especially if she wants to. It is also not a woman's duty to mold and constrict herself to be what only one man wants her to be, she should be able to be herself and be around people who love and appreciate her for who she is.
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2 comments:
Rachel,
I agree that Ellis's ideas can seem outlandish to us today. I think it might have been more interesting in your post to try to see why she would think this, rather than disputing her views. I don't think many people hold Ellis's views today, but it would be worthwhile to think about why so many men and women held them then.
I agree that Ellis's views are outdated and at times they were almost unbearable to read, as a woman. I do not think, however, you can fault her for this. I think she was a product of her surroundings. These are the views that many people held during her life and this is how she was raised. It is easy to criticize her, but I think it would have been difficult for her to feel differently.
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