Short fiction & selections of the 18th Century
Compare Samuel Richardson's Pamela, at least the selection that we're reading, with Behn's Oronooko. Both texts are talked about in relation to the rise of the English novel as a generic form. Prior to the 18th century, the novel did not exist. Think about all we've read. The other two pieces offer a glimpse into different aspects of social life. The first, Henry Fielding's "The Female Husband," offers an account of a woman who lived as a man married to another woman for most of her life. Think about gender and class issues as they relate. The second, Francis Burney's "A Mastectomy," is a personal account of major surgery before the age of technology. As you read, consider what it suggests about medical practice and health during the period. Her account is nonfiction prose, one of the few that we'll be reading.
OTHER NOTES:
“The Female Husband”, by Henry Fielding addresses several interesting values that surface during the eighteenth century. One of these is the popularity of pornography in literature. During the time period, pornography was viewed as being okay as long as it did not conflict with the marriage values. This introduces the idea of sapphism in literature, which brings us to the “female husband” aspect of Fielding’s piece. An interesting fact to consider in this piece is that women were still considered chaste even if they had slept with another woman. In terms of religion, how do you think Fielding critiques the values of Methodism? Her punishment is to be publicly whipped, but is she sorry for her crime? Or is she simply made an example to the rest of the people who dare to go against the law, “But it is to be hoped that this example will be Sufficient to deter all others from the Commission of any such Foul and Unnatural Crimes: for which, if they should escape the Shame and Ruin which they so well Deserve in this World, they will be most certain of meeting with their full Punishment in the next,” (“The Female Husband”, Paragraph 58). Consider the overall theme on what it means to be chaste, both as a man and woman. On another note, it is written as “newes”, or journalism, much like Aphra Behn’s, Oronooko. How do the two differ? Would we perceive this differently if it were written from a woman’s point of view?
Pamela, Or Virtue Rewarded by Samuel Richardson is interesting in that it was written for a female populous. Consider how gender contributes to this narrative. A writing technique that we can address here is “epistolary”, or a series of letters. Though just one letter would be known as an “epistle”. Additionally, as one can assume from the title, Richardson brings about a theme of virtue. A woman’s virtue, or virginity is valued more than the woman herself, “Arm yourself, my dear child, for the worst; and resolve to lose your life sooner than your virtue,” (Pamela, 8:4). It is expressed that even to be raped is more shameful than death itself. Are women really only desirable if they are virtuous? Is this a tragic virtue that society has developed? What significance does this hold, when we consider Richardson wrote it for a female populous? How would they interpret it? Continuously think about what his claim may be. Lastly, how do temptations and pride affect what it means to be virtues, especially with Pamela?
“A Mastectomy” by Fanny Burney becomes one of the very first accounts of a breast cancer surgery. Much like Pamela, “A Mastectomy” is written for women. As readers become witness to in her second paragraph she is primarily concerned about the generations of women that breast cancer may affect and she wants to inform these women, “I relate this false confidence, now, as a warning to my dear Esther—my Sisters and Nieces, should any similar sensations excite similar alarm,” (“A Mastectomy”). The entire narrative enhances womanhood. Contemplate why Burney would write about such a graphic surgery when it could have been anything else? What significance does vulnerability of the woman do for the readers and especially her targeted audience? Consider the reoccurring gender theme while reading, how would this be different if written from a man’s perspective, or from the doctor’s perspective?
Lastly, “Journal from Easter Island Visit in 1774” by James Cook is one of the well-known travel narratives that readers get from this time period. A good suggestion would be to compare this narrative with “Gulliver’s Travels” as well as how they may differ. Furthermore, it becomes very similar to Behn’s novel, Oronooko because of the values of colonialism. Note that in Oronooko, Christians are travelling to evangelize other colonies, which are already in a content state of being. As westerners come across Easter Island, they venture out to discover new people, whom seem to be harmless by his account, “Not one of them had so much as a stick or weapon of any sort in their hands,” (Journal, Paragraph 4). What might this suggest about the English populous? Are Englishmen perceived to be ignorant? In the end, does Cook place a critique against religion, especially in his descriptions of the statues, “Nor are we better acquainted with their religion. The gigantic statues, so often mentioned, are not, in my opinion, looked upon as idols by the present inhabitants, whatever they might have been in the days of the Dutch; at least I saw nothing that could induce me to think so,” (Journal, Paragraph 17)? Consider the overall critique of colonialism. Why make such elaborated descriptions of a place that holds no value?
OTHER NOTES:
“The Female Husband”, by Henry Fielding addresses several interesting values that surface during the eighteenth century. One of these is the popularity of pornography in literature. During the time period, pornography was viewed as being okay as long as it did not conflict with the marriage values. This introduces the idea of sapphism in literature, which brings us to the “female husband” aspect of Fielding’s piece. An interesting fact to consider in this piece is that women were still considered chaste even if they had slept with another woman. In terms of religion, how do you think Fielding critiques the values of Methodism? Her punishment is to be publicly whipped, but is she sorry for her crime? Or is she simply made an example to the rest of the people who dare to go against the law, “But it is to be hoped that this example will be Sufficient to deter all others from the Commission of any such Foul and Unnatural Crimes: for which, if they should escape the Shame and Ruin which they so well Deserve in this World, they will be most certain of meeting with their full Punishment in the next,” (“The Female Husband”, Paragraph 58). Consider the overall theme on what it means to be chaste, both as a man and woman. On another note, it is written as “newes”, or journalism, much like Aphra Behn’s, Oronooko. How do the two differ? Would we perceive this differently if it were written from a woman’s point of view?
Pamela, Or Virtue Rewarded by Samuel Richardson is interesting in that it was written for a female populous. Consider how gender contributes to this narrative. A writing technique that we can address here is “epistolary”, or a series of letters. Though just one letter would be known as an “epistle”. Additionally, as one can assume from the title, Richardson brings about a theme of virtue. A woman’s virtue, or virginity is valued more than the woman herself, “Arm yourself, my dear child, for the worst; and resolve to lose your life sooner than your virtue,” (Pamela, 8:4). It is expressed that even to be raped is more shameful than death itself. Are women really only desirable if they are virtuous? Is this a tragic virtue that society has developed? What significance does this hold, when we consider Richardson wrote it for a female populous? How would they interpret it? Continuously think about what his claim may be. Lastly, how do temptations and pride affect what it means to be virtues, especially with Pamela?
“A Mastectomy” by Fanny Burney becomes one of the very first accounts of a breast cancer surgery. Much like Pamela, “A Mastectomy” is written for women. As readers become witness to in her second paragraph she is primarily concerned about the generations of women that breast cancer may affect and she wants to inform these women, “I relate this false confidence, now, as a warning to my dear Esther—my Sisters and Nieces, should any similar sensations excite similar alarm,” (“A Mastectomy”). The entire narrative enhances womanhood. Contemplate why Burney would write about such a graphic surgery when it could have been anything else? What significance does vulnerability of the woman do for the readers and especially her targeted audience? Consider the reoccurring gender theme while reading, how would this be different if written from a man’s perspective, or from the doctor’s perspective?
Lastly, “Journal from Easter Island Visit in 1774” by James Cook is one of the well-known travel narratives that readers get from this time period. A good suggestion would be to compare this narrative with “Gulliver’s Travels” as well as how they may differ. Furthermore, it becomes very similar to Behn’s novel, Oronooko because of the values of colonialism. Note that in Oronooko, Christians are travelling to evangelize other colonies, which are already in a content state of being. As westerners come across Easter Island, they venture out to discover new people, whom seem to be harmless by his account, “Not one of them had so much as a stick or weapon of any sort in their hands,” (Journal, Paragraph 4). What might this suggest about the English populous? Are Englishmen perceived to be ignorant? In the end, does Cook place a critique against religion, especially in his descriptions of the statues, “Nor are we better acquainted with their religion. The gigantic statues, so often mentioned, are not, in my opinion, looked upon as idols by the present inhabitants, whatever they might have been in the days of the Dutch; at least I saw nothing that could induce me to think so,” (Journal, Paragraph 17)? Consider the overall critique of colonialism. Why make such elaborated descriptions of a place that holds no value?
Last Study Guide
There's a study guide for 18th-Century Prose and Fiction due. See CSC Online to access it.
What We're Reading
From PamelaSamuel Richardson's epistolary novel Pamela is considered by many critics to be the first of its kind; others contest this pointing to Aphra Behn's Oronooko. While Richardson's novel is must longer, it's the psychology of the characters that gets the most notice. Think about what distinguishes the novel from other types of literature, especially early literature, that we've read thus far.
The Female HusbandHenry Fielding's short fictional account of Charles (nee Mary) Hamilton, "The Female Husband," sensationalizes an actual historical event. Mary Hamilton lived as a married man for many years of her life until she was discovered and tried for vagrancy. As you read, think about what political concerns this story might reflect. Also, consider that fact that accounts of lesbianism and transvestism (two words not yet part of the English language) were in the cultural consciousness. Aside from gender and sexuality, you might also consider class consciousness.
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A MASTECTOMYFanny Burney's account of her mastectomy is one of the first recorded in English history. It comes from her journal and then turned letter. She was diagnosed with breast cancer, and thus had a mastectomy for survival. However, these were the days before hospitals as we now know them and before anesthesia. Her account is powerful partially because of the intense physical pain that she experiences and is able to narrate.
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