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.