Gender Roles 1600sWomen and men of America had distinct roles in the 1600s, dictated by religion as well as the recent colonization of America. They were presented with the challenge of finding the balance between separating from their English roots and integrating their Puritan beliefs. Due to tradition as well as religious ideals, women rarely did anything except raise their children, host company, cook for the family, and educate their children on the arts. The few women of the 1600s who rose above the stereotypes and created a lasting identity for themselves are still regarded as pioneers of feminism to this day. Women such a as Mary Rowlandson and Margaret Brent paved the way for American women in the working world. Men, on the other hand, were expected to be the providers of the the family. They were expected to work to earn enough money to support their family. Fathers expected to come home to a pleasant family environment with food being prepared for them. The concept of gender roles in America was created based on this period.
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Anne Bradstreet
Anne Bradstreet was a poet of the mid-late 1600s. She moved from England to the Massachusetts Bay Colony, where she practiced Puritanism. She married her husband at age 16, which was not uncommon of the time. Bradstreet wrote poems while raising her eight children and tending to the domestic duties of women of her time ( hosting, making clothes, educating children). Her poems were published back in England, without her knowledge, but her work soon grew. (The Editors) Bradstreet's poems such as, "In Reference to Her Children," depict the tension between her domestic life and her career. She was a revolutionary of her time, proving that women could attend to their domestic duties, and take on the role of being one of the most prominent poets of her time. Although Bradstreet adhered to the Puritan law, she rejected the role of being the submissive wife of her time. (Bradstreet) |
"I nursed them up with pain and care, |
Mary Rowlandson |
"Yet the Lord still shewed mercy to me, and helped me; and as he wounded me with one hand, so he healed me with the other." |
Rowlandson was a British-American author, who wrote a captivity narrative in the 17th century. Her single account of her captivity transformed rapidly to become an entire genre of captivity narratives. Her narrative allowed her to become more than merely a minister's wife, but instead a cutting-edge author of her time. (Rowlandson) Mary Rowlandson was captured by Native Americans in 1676 along with 24 other captives. Rowlandson spent three months in captivity, but because of her sewing skills and favor among the Natives, had a better experience than other captives. She was purchased out of captivity by her husband, and began writing her experiences during captivity, for her children. However, this printing was soon published 4 times in 1682 in Boston, Cambridge, and London. ("Mary Rowlandson.") |
Margaret Brent
Defying stereotypes of her time, Margaret Brent became one of the largest landowners in America of the 1600s. She engaged in business ventures, including indentured servants and the tobacco trade. She provided an example of a strong, independently-successful woman to the American colonies, and is often regarded as the first American feminist. (Carr)
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This video portrays a brief history of the Salem witch trials with animation. It describes how the witch trials started, the reasoning behind the paranoia, and the impact it had on the American society at the time. ("The Salem Witch Trials (1692) Cartoon.")
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Witch Trials
Beliefs of witchcraft played a prominent role in the 1600s; it left a gash on American history. The combination of strict religious beliefs of the Puritans and the trials being common in Europe. The accusations primarily revolved around women, and the most famous series of trials in America are known as the Salem witch trials, which took place between 1692-1693. During the course of these trials, over 200 people were accused, and 20 of them executed. Due to these traumatic times, many pieces of literature came out of this time, including the book, "The Wonders of the Invisible World," by Cotton Mather. In his book, he recounts 5 trials that took place as well as giving insight to his observations on the Devil's behavior. He provides his belief as to why there are witches, which correlates to how many would have felt at the time. (Mather) "That there is a Devil, is a thing doubted by none but such as are under the influences of the Devil." |
The Scarlet Letter
While the Scarlet Letter was written and published in the 1800's, some of its themes highlighted religion and gender roles in the 1600's. The main character, Hester Prynne is shunned by her society for falling pregnant out of wedlock. This reflects the strict values during the 1600's. New England believed women belong to their husband, not unlike the centuries past. This book also references the Cult of Domesticity which was a huge trend during the 1800's. (Hawthorne)
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The Scarlet Letter book cover
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Puritan Times |
Puritan society was, without a doubt, a mans world. The Puritans believed that women had an inherent moral weakness. This, was due to the role that Eve played in original sin. As a result of this Puritans feared that women were prone to sin. Women were expected to dress modestly, covering their hair and arms. Women who did not do so could and more often than not would be stripped to the waist and whipped until their backs bled.
Married women, in addition to being subordinate to men, were not allowed to possess property, sign contracts, or conduct business. Only widows who did not remarry were allowed to run their own businesses. The husbands owned everything, including the couple’s children. The role of a woman was strictly to love, obey, and further the interests and will of her husband. Only if she was a good mate would she have fulfilled her God-given duty. |
Header Image: (Massachusetts Bay Colony.)