Culture and Region in the Revolt of Mother by Mary E Wilkins Freeman - Essay Example

English Literature 19 April Culture and Region in “The Revolt of Mother” by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman Introduction The Revolt of Mother is a fascinating tale about the life of a family living on a farm in New England. The story begins with a very stereotypical portrayal of the roles of females and males that was there in the nineteenth century. However, the story focuses on depicting the shift of power and a silent revolution against the norms of the society according to which men dominate while the women submit. The story presents the readers with a new interpretation of the culture and the trends that were practiced in the nineteenth century. 2. Culture and Region Freeman makes use of many stylistic tools to depict the culture and region and the approaching change, which includes the setting and title, characterization of her characters and their respective roles. 2.1. Role of men and women The story commences with the portrayal of a farm life where men and women have their designated roles i.e. women perform their domestic chores while men deal with the problems of the outside world. As it is observed that it is stated in the text as well, “I wish youd go into the house, mother, an tend to your own affairs,” (13) while the father was tightening the buckles on his harness. This behavior shows that in the nineteenth century it was the norm for women to take care of the home and hearth and men did not expect them neither did they want them to meddle in their outside affairs. This designation of roles is also apparent in the upbringing of Sammy and Nanny i.e. Sammy goes to school and he is being educated since it is going to help him later when he grows up and takes the reins of his father’s farm. On contrary Nanny goes to learn embroidery and stitching because she should be efficient in such domestic chores. The writer also talks about a form of an understood alliance amongst the people of the same gender that is women were confidants of women while men stood by with men. This is also apparent from the reaction of Sarah and Nanny towards the building of a new barn i.e. they believed it was not required. While on the other hand when Sammy is asked about it he mentions it in a very casual way that he had known this for, “Bout three months” (16) as if to say that since it is his father’s decision so it is right. A similar grouping or divide is also observed later in the story when Sarah had shifted her home into the new barn and the Minister pays her a visit with the intention of pointing out her misdemeanor regarding Sarah’s actions of going against her husbands will. This alliance is also seen in the mindset of the two species as well. For example both Sarah and Nanny desire for a new spacious and respectable place filled with various luxuries such as carpets, a parlor and nice wall papers. While Adoniram and the rest of the men folks of the village as well as Hiram appear to be supporting his decision of building a new barn. The men show their agreement by helping him to build it and Hiram shows it by contacting him about a new horse. Another regional as well as cultural trend that the writer talks about is the lack of communication between men and women. The father in the beginning and even till the middle of the story pays no attention to the mother’s concerns as it is stated in the text that he either refuses to reply or keeps on saying, “I tell ye I cant, nohow, mother.” (25). However, he finally gives in with a resigned sigh, once the mother is done with her litany and complaining he just says, “Ive got to go off after that load of gravel. I cant stan here talkin all day…I aint got nothin to say” (25). It seems as if there is a wide gulf separating them and there is a lack of understanding between the two parties. Besides according to this trend men and women shared a life, home and children yet they were not close. this distance also reflects in the manner the two character that is Mr. and Mrs. Penn refer to each other. Rather than using their given names they call each other “mother” and “father” which seems very odd yet it further emphasizes on the presence of the gulf that is there. 2.2. Rebellion/Revolution Regardless of the communication gap that is there amongst men and women, the mother is observed to be finally asserting her authority. Her first assertion is apparent from the manner in which she takes charge of the farm once her husband leaves and she decides that, “I aint goin to get a regular dinner to-day, as long as fathers gone,’ (27). This is the first action of her revolt where she refuses to perform her monotonous daily chores of making and serving food. Then she starts ordering men around regarding the placement of “hay in the old barn” as well as the shifting of furniture and their belongings from the old barn to the new one. All her actions are interpreted as a rebellion because she believes that she has lived up to her role of a submissive wife for forty years and now God has provided her with a chance to bring about a change. As she justifies her actions by saying, “Unsolicited opportunities are the guideposts of the Lord to the new roads of life…It looks like a Providence” (26). It is a cliché that when a person rebels against authority society is always there to ridicule or mock the individual. A similar situation is also observed in the story where the whole town is abuzz with the news of Sarah’s actions and both men and women are calling her, “insane” or possessed of a “lawless and rebellious spirit” (29). However her revolt brings about a positive change i.e. her husband realizes his folly and also accepts the fact that his wife is not a property or an ornament in the house but a human being with needs, desires and rights. Hence, he finally gives in and says, “Ill -- put up the -- partitions, an -- everything you -- want, mother” (31). It is mentioned in the text, “Adoniram was like a fortress whose walls had no active resistance, and went down the instant the right besieging tools were used. "Why, mother," he said, hoarsely, "I hadnt no idee you was so set ont as all this comes to” (31). Although the readers feel sympathy for Adoniram at this point, yet the tears he shed can be interpreted in two contexts. It can be inferred that either he cries because he realizes that he has been miss treating his wife for past forty years or else his male pride is severely injured since his wife went against his wishes. 2.3. Setting and Title The story is set on a farm in New England in the Season of Spring and summer. Under this context, it can be understood that the setting of the story also adheres to the eminent revolt of Sarah. Since Spring and Summer are associated with a new beginning, and all the colors of Spring can be perceived as a symbol of hope so the setting also foreshadows the fruit that Sarah’s revolt is going to reap i.e. recognition for women. The title of the story also hints upon the change Sarah Penn brings about in the village. 2.4. Role of the Society Freeman portrays a very typical village society in which people are not only gossip mongers but they also consider it their right to intervene in other individuals’ personal matters as it is also apparent from the characters such as the anonymous society women and men, the Minister and the Labor entourage. Freeman writes, “ Men assembled in the store and talked it over, women with shawls over their heads scuttled into each others houses before their work was done. Any deviation from the ordinary course of life in this quiet town was enough to stop all progress in it. Everybody paused to look at the staid, independent figure on the sidetrack (29). This provides the readers with a very interesting yet insightful description of the village or the region of the nineteenth century, which the writer uses as a backdrop. Then again, the Minister of the town also appears to be very nosey by nature, as he believes that it is his responsibility to bring people back on the right path. Although he fails miserably when it comes to Sarah Penn as he says, “But Sarah Penn was beyond him. He could deal with primal cases, but parallel ones worsted him” (30). Moreover, the Minister here not only represents the male dominated society but also the Church and Sarah Penn defies the norms set by the two authorities so it is a very big thing. The writer also enlightens the readers about another aspect of this society i.e. the people of this region enjoyed spectacles. Since it is seen that, “when Adoniram was expected home, there was a knot of men in the road near the new barn. The hired man had milked, but he still hung around the premises” (30). 3. Conclusion Hence, Freeman in her own unique style deals with the theme of women emancipation. Along with this she also presents the readers with her personal interpretation of the society of the late nineteenth century, human behaviors and she also talks about the change of perspective that she believed was necessary for a better and a bright future. Works Cites Wilkins, Mary E. The Revolt of Mother and Other Short Stories. Montana: Kessinger Publishing, 2004. Print. Read More