Portrait: Mary Gibson Tilghman and Sons

1. Describe the setting.

The setting seems to be one of the modest but privileged residence. You can see this by the edge of the couch and the way the boys and the women dress. 

2. Who serves at the center of the portrait and why? How does the woman look? How is she "republican" rather than aristocratic?

Mary Gibson Tilghman is in the center of the portrait. It seems to be positioned this was to represent the power that she, and women during the time period, has in her own household. She has a slight smile on her face, looking seemingly content. Her dress is modest but not dressed as if she was dirt poor or a working slave. It is the way she dresses and presents her face that shows she is not aristocracy but instead "republican". Her dress is modest, not so expensive and does not show off her wealth. Also, her hair is simple and has a connection with her sons.

3. What values do her sons exhibit?

Through the picture you can see what values her sons exhibit. They are both attuned to what is going on, showing that they are already on their way to be able to comprehend social and political jar gin. They also have happy expressions on their faces, showing that they still act as though they are kids. But you can see by the clothes they wear that they are polite and well mannered due to the training they have gotten in the home.

4. Is there a significance to the position of Mrs. Tilgham's arm?

It seems as though the position of Mrs. Tilgham's arm was deliberate. It seems to symbolizes the power which she has over her sons at the time. It could also show the her power over the household overall. The arm shows that she has complete control over what she teaches the boys and how they act as long as they live in her domain, her house. 

Republican Motherhood Questions

What role did the Revolutionary War play in the transformation of housewifery to Republican Motherhood?

The Revolutionary War was a significant part in changing the meaning of housewifery. As mentioned in Document C, the role of women in the house played an important part in maintaining the newly founded liberty. This liberty did not occur until after the Revolutionary War. In Document C Mary Morris writes to Cathrine Livingston about the role of women. In it she discusses how it is the women's job to teach their children. If they want to keep their freedom and liberty than they will teach how and why those values matter to their children. By being in charge of the children and their learning, women had the fate of the nation in their hands. This would not have happened without the Revolutionary War because there would be nothing of great significance to want to teach children.

What were the consequences of Republican Motherhood on women?

The problem with this theory of Republican Motherhood was that it restricted women into one domain of society. In Document A it describes how women are in a way boxed into one job and how they are not allowed out. It says that for women the house was their sphere of influence and the area in which they could control. But outside of that they were not accepted and their ideas, outside of the house, were not listened to like the adult white males of the time period. Also in Document D seems at first to contradict this theory, saying that "woman is not limited to the domestic circle". But when they discuss how women control society Stearns does not mean directly. Their thoughts and beliefs have to be conveyed by their children, mostly the boys. 

What is the significance of the ideology of Republican Motherhood as a stage in the process of women's socialization?

The ideology of the Republican Motherhood was the basis for women's rights. This was the first stage in many parts of the society which women were expected to take part by using their brains. Though they were expected as adults to teacher their children what stance to take in society and stay in the house, they began to need further education. This was clearly listed in Document B listing out that girls need " a knowledge of the English language, the writing of a fair and legible hand, some knowledge of figures and bookkeeping..., acquaintance with geography and some instruction in chronology". This was the first time girls were required to have a certain amount of education. Although women and girls were still severely restricted in society, this was a monumental step towards equality.

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