Margaret Fuller's Concept of “Gender” in the context of her time

Thesis (M.A.) , 2007 , 110 Pages , Grade: 2,00

American Studies - Literature

"Let them be sea-captains, if you will", Margaret Fuller stated in her main work
Woman in the Nineteenth Century (Woman 346). Although even nowadays there may
be only few female sea-captains, the quoted statement would hardly provoke anyone, at least not someone in our contemporary western culture. However, when regarded in its historical context, two questions arise: Firstly, what underlying gender concept encouraged Fuller to make such a statement, in "a time of excessive gender polarization" (Bomarito (vol2) 1), a time in which the ideal of domesticity and Republican Motherhood (Freedman 25) determined the role of woman? And secondly, how did antebellum American society react to such statements? The first question will be the main issue of part III, the main part of my work. I will begin with Fuller's general gender concept that involves ideas of androgynity and the "degendering" (Davis 182) of language. Next, the major influences on her concept, namely those of transcendentalism (with special consideration of Emerson), Goethe, Fourier and Swedenborg will be dealt with. Lastly, I will consider how Fuller applied her concept to the specific fields outlined in chapter II, that is, marriage, education and
economy. I will concentrate on her main work Woman in the Nineteenth Century
because Fuller describes her gender concept there in most detail, whereas her other works such as Summer on the Lakes do not contribute much additional information that is of special significance for the understanding of her gender concept. This is especially true in the case of her Memoirs, which was heavily edited and censored by Emerson and others. It rather distorted Fuller's reputation, as Urbanski states (5). Therefore I will only occasionally refer to them, whenever they provide further information that is relevant to my topic.
Regarding the second question, I will illustrate the historical and cultural
background first against which Fuller placed her gender concept, in order to clarify why her "idea of woman" (W 305) was considered provoking and unconventional in antebellum America. I will deal with the traditional gender concept, along with its ideals such as femininity, Republican Motherhood and domesticity. Then, I will describe the effect this concept had on marriage, evangelical movements, education and economy, and also with what is considered the initiation of the first women's rights movement in America, the Seneca Falls Convention of 1848.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• I. Introduction
• II. Overview of the Traditional Gender Concept in Antebellum America, Its Consequences for Women and Women's Resistance
  • 1. Emergence of the Separate Spheres Ideology
    • 1.1 Beginning of Gender Polarization
    • 1.2 Motherhood and Domesticity
    • 1.3 Marriage
  • 2. The Role of Women in Religious Movements During the First and Second Great Awakening
    • 2.1 First and Second Great Awakening
    • 2.2 Women's Role in the Abolitionist Movement
    • 2.3 Women's Role in the Temperance Movement
  • 3. Women, Education and Economy
    • 3.1 Education
    • 3.2 Economy
  • 4. The Women's Rights Movement
• III. Fuller's Gender Concept
  • 1. Criticism of the Prevailing Gender Concept
  • 2. Femininity, Masculinity and the "De-Gendering" of Language
  • 3. The Concept of the Multidimensional and Androgynous Soul
  • 4. Major Influences
    • 4.1 Transcendentalism, Emerson and Religion
    • 4.2 Goethe, Fourier and Swedenborg
  • 5. Application of the Gender Concept
    • 5.1 Fuller's Marriage Ideal
    • 5.2 Education
    • 5.3 Economy
• IV. Conclusion
• Works Cited
  • 1. Primary Sources
  • 2. Secondary Sources

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte

This master's thesis examines Margaret Fuller's concept of "gender" in the context of her time, focusing on the antebellum period in America. The thesis aims to analyze Fuller's critique of the prevailing gender concept and her alternative vision of gender roles and individual potential. It explores the influences on Fuller's thinking, including Transcendentalism, Emerson, and European thinkers like Goethe and Fourier. The thesis also examines Fuller's application of her gender concept to various aspects of life, including marriage, education, and the economy.

• The traditional gender concept in antebellum America and its consequences for women
• Margaret Fuller's critique of the prevailing gender concept
• Fuller's concept of the multidimensional and androgynous soul
• The influence of Transcendentalism, Emerson, and European thinkers on Fuller's thought
• Fuller's application of her gender concept to marriage, education, and the economy

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel

The introduction provides an overview of the historical context and the significance of Margaret Fuller's work. It establishes the framework for analyzing Fuller's concept of "gender" in relation to the prevailing gender norms of her time.

Chapter II explores the traditional gender concept in antebellum America, focusing on the emergence of the separate spheres ideology, the role of women in religious movements, and the limitations placed on women's education and economic opportunities. It examines the consequences of this ideology for women and the forms of resistance that emerged.

Chapter III delves into Fuller's own concept of "gender," analyzing her critique of the prevailing gender concept, her ideas about femininity, masculinity, and the "de-gendering" of language, and her concept of the multidimensional and androgynous soul. It also explores the major influences on Fuller's thinking, including Transcendentalism, Emerson, and European thinkers like Goethe and Fourier.

Chapter IV examines Fuller's application of her gender concept to various aspects of life, including her ideal of marriage, her views on education, and her ideas about women's role in the economy. It explores how Fuller's vision of gender equality challenged the prevailing social norms and paved the way for future feminist movements.

Schlüsselwörter

The keywords and focus themes of the text include gender, gender roles, antebellum America, Margaret Fuller, Transcendentalism, Emerson, Goethe, Fourier, women's rights, education, marriage, economy, and the multidimensional and androgynous soul. The text examines Fuller's critique of the traditional gender concept and her alternative vision of gender equality, exploring the influences on her thought and the application of her ideas to various aspects of life.

• College: University of Göttingen
• Grade: 2,00
• Author: M. A. Oliver Steinert-Lieschied (Author)
• Publication Year: 2007
• Pages: 110
• Catalog Number: V113451
• ISBN (eBook): 9783640137176
• ISBN (Book): 9783640534111
• Language: English
• Tags: Margaret, Fuller, Concept, Gender, Gender Studies, Romanticism, Emerson, Transcendentalism, American Renaissance, Women Studies, Feminism, American Literature