Revolutionary Mothers Summary

While this book could be considered very academic, I considered it to be a leisurely read because it was so well written by Kerber. The passion behind the authors want to reveal this unknown historical event of what Kerber refers to as, “ The Womens’ War”, makes the book inspirational. The true meaning of the term “Republican Motherhood”, made the word radicalism come to live in this historical setting. In result of these women changing and breaking the wall of a traditional role, they are finally accepted not just as domestic creatures, but as capable partners to create virtuous citizens. It is an empowering book that opens the reader’s eyes to the one – sided history that previous to this book had been the only text by historians

From the social viewpoint the war changed the lives and rights of women all across the United States. Many of the husbands left to fight in the Revolutionary war leaving countless women in charge of farms and businesses, roles which they were not accustomed to. Although the war did little to change women’s rights, in some states it did become possible for women to divorce and in new jersey women even obtained the right to vote which was way out of the ordinary in that time. Before the war both men and women viewed the wife as an obedient and serving spouse that raised the children and took care of the house. But the revolution encouraged people of both genders to reconsider the contribution of women to the family and society.

The book Revolutionary Mothers, by Carol Berkin is a truth telling and eye opening experience for the reader that shows how the fight for America’s independence affected the role of women. The book reveals the unknown side of women during young America’s first major war, the Revolutionary War. It portrays the very important role women played during war despite the fact that war brought scarcity, bloodshed, and danger into their lives. Women’s lives changed drastically during this time period.

A critical analysis entails the review of the book Revolutionary Mothers: Women in the struggle for America’s independence by Carol Berkin. This comprised of details on women who had been involved in struggling to fulfill the independence of America. Women played their role at facing or creating impact towards the war. This outlines on myriad of women,s lives as well as getting to know the obstacles that they encountered during the war. This aids in bringing out the idea that not only men who played vital roles during the war, but also women as being key characters, inclusive of colonial women as well as Native American women and the consequences they faced. Women brought about a generation of having the initial tale of history avoiding rise of different stories thus the book,s intention was to reveal the truth of the history as well as women importance during the revolutionary war.

Carol Berkin clearly states her thesis in the introduction of Revolutionary Mothers. “Despite the absence of radical changes in gender ideology and gender roles for most women, the Revolution did lend legitimacy to new ideas about women’s capacities and their proper roles”. (Berkin 2005) In two thousand and fourteen it is questionable about how clearly women’s roles have changed especially in the areas of economics and politics at least it is obvious that the revolution did not bring equality.

When considering the American Revolution most histories fail to recognize both sides of the fight for liberty. Men were certainly the central figures; however could they have succeeded without the periphery support of women? In her book, Women of the Republic: Intellect and Ideology in Revolutionary America, Linda K. Kerber explores the contribution of women to the war and demonstrates the rising of “Republican Motherhood” during and following the war. Through this ideology, women merged their traditional roles with their new sense of civic duty. In the beginning chapters, Kerber examines women’s engagement in the war effort, explores the emerging idea of female patriotism and states the proper loyalties of married women during the time.

“Revolutionary Mothers Women in the Struggle for America’s Independence,” is a book written by Carol Berkin. In this writing, Berkin goes into detail on the important role women of the 1600s-1700s took place during the Home Front War. Berkin argues that it wasn’t just the men who fought for independence, but women fought for freedom as well. The book describes the roles that different women faced, the challenges women faced, and women’s capabilities during the war.

The story “Revolt of Mother,” by Mary E. Wilkins depicts a woman (Sarah Penn) who is constantly exempt by her husband (Adonriam Penn) in taking part in important decisions until her frustration reached a breaking point, which ultimately leads to drastic changes in their family. In contrast a similar conflict arises in the movie Sleeping With the Enemy (1991), which was directed by Joseph Ruben. In the movie the main character, Laura Burney, had everything her heart desired. On the surface she had a beautiful house, a successful husband, and any material item she could ever want. However below the surface she was really married to a possessive as well as a physically abusive husband who made all the impressive luxuries she had seem

As the saying goes, “a woman’s work is never done,” but today’s women live a far different life than their predecessors. The women of the revolution were courageous and brave-hearted. The obstacles of their time were far more difficult to overcome than those faced by women in this day and age. Whether it was slavery, war, or racial prejudice, these women kept their heads held high and worked to break down these barriers and create change for the future. On top of having to deal with these hardships, the women of the revolution had families to take care of, mouths to feed, houses to clean, and wounds to heal. For many women of the revolution it was all about taking a stand for their rights and being

If women did not start movements for their rights, they would not be accepted into society today. Women were not the only individuals that were affected by these inequalities. Their families were affected as well. Society was impacted heavily by these changes but has slowly adapted to

There are a few women in this book. They all play an important role in the book. Back then, women weren’t allowed to fight in the war and they had many restriction. They were treated as below men. In this book, we can see that men needed women as much as women needed men. And we can see how a war can change both women and men. O’Brien has included them in the story to show the importance of women in a society and especially during a war time.

As men battle against men on the field, their breath heavy, their bodies torn, their love for their country strong, they face the many grim and grotesque features of war. Watching their fellow companions, some friends, others family, expire before their eyes, realizing that they, too, could meet the same fate, wishing to return home to their wives and kids where they would be safe, men change in war. Young soldiers, naively entering battle yearning for exhilarating action and hoping to become the next epic hero, soon realize that war is vastly different from their fantasies. Battle hardens soldiers. Boys mature into men.

A mother. A daughter. An aunt. A niece. A day-to-day worker. A non-stop caregiver. A synonym for all of this? Hero. My mom is a vibrant woman. A fiery countenance always found upon Clara Cisneros’ face as she walks into a room. Loud and boisterous, everyone knows her. Everyone adores her.

Lastly, the readability of this book is amazing. The information is presented well that is laid out in an organized manner. Due to the many different aspects and sides to the women discussed in the book there are sections laid out devoted to specific loyalties people and race. The tone of the book is pleasantly understood, so that many people of many different education levels are able to appreciate the information presented by Carol Berkin. The reader is immediately drawn in to the general overview located in the preface. Further on in the book Berkin is able to personalize the information so that the

In the late nineteenth century, America was considered as a patriarchal society. Where males had all control and women worked as their slave. Women were to support all decisions, cook, clean, conceive children, teach, and remain silent. Women has continuously remained a lower standard than men. Still today, womankind is assumed of as unintelligent, inadequate, weak-minded, and unimportant than males. Mary E. Wilkins Freeman, the author of “The Revolt of ‘Mother’”, and Susan Glaspell the author of Trifles, share the true meaning of women’s empowerment. The focus of the stories revolves around the