Location: [Reed College] [Department of English] [Laura Arnold][Nation and Narration]Daily Readings
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GODEY'S LADY'S BOOK (Philadelphia, February 1850)
1. In order to continue our discussion of how one can "milk a cow" (i.e. do labor) and be a free spirit at the same time, I would like you to read Emerson's "Self-Reliance" (1840; in the course reader) for Thursday. Where do you see Emerson borrowing from the British Romantics? How might Emerson justify these borrowings? As you read "Self-Reliance" you might also want to pay attention to Emerson's use of rhetoric. Do you find this to be "blood-warm" writing? If so, what rhetorical strategies does he use to enliven his prose? How would you characterize the narrator? Who seems to be his ideal audience? What disposition does seek to instill in him/her? You might want to think back to the earlier handout on rhetoric. For example, does the speaker
A. lay claim to qualities that the audience will respectB. stress disadvantages of speaker's situation as a claim to pity
C. arouse hostility against opponent (who is his opponent?)
D. generate prejudice against the opponent through tangential or irrelevant information.
E. incite fear (of what?)
F. plea for pity (on what grounds?)
Similarly in his attempt to gain the trust of his reader does he do any of the following?
A. appeal to age & experienceB. reverence for civic virtue (what are the civic virtues?)
C. patriotism and public-spiritedness
D. displays of piety
E. follow rules of decorum (e.g. avoid delicate subjects)
F. model restraint
Write a brief informal summary and analysis of Emerson's argument paying attention to either Emerson's strategies in appealing to his audience or in constructing a speaker (or you may substitute the assignment below in #2).
2. In order to test Emerson's theories as they might relate to everyday life, please also read Byrde, "The Romantic Spirit: Women's Dress 1825-1850" (Nineteenth Century Fashion: 38-52) and look at least one issue of Godey's Lady's Book. Please pay particular attention to the article(s) or illustrations on fashion in the issue you choose. For example, if you look at the Feb. 1850 issue, make sure you look at "Fashions for February," but also feel free to browse. Class discussion will be livelier if you print out and bring to class one thing from Godey's (or Byrde) that tickles your fancy and have prepared a (brief) analysis of it ahead of time. (I will collect these at the end of class.) To what extent are the women in Godey's encouraged to be "Self-Reliant"? To what extent do you think that Emerson might think that they should be? Is fashion relevant to Emerson's argument?
Laura.Arnold@Reed.edu