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

"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.

Table of Contents

• 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

Objectives and Key Themes

This work aims to explore Margaret Fuller's concept of "gender" within the context of her time, analyzing her critiques of traditional gender roles and her vision for a more equitable society. The text delves into Fuller's philosophical and social thought, examining her influences and applying her ideas to specific areas like marriage, education, and the economy.

• The evolution of the traditional gender concept in Antebellum America, with a particular focus on the "separate spheres" ideology
• The resistance of women to these traditional roles through their involvement in religious movements, particularly the abolitionist and temperance movements
• Margaret Fuller's critique of the prevailing gender concept and her proposed alternative, encompassing concepts like "de-gendering" of language and the multidimensional, androgynous soul
• Fuller's major influences, including transcendentalism, Emerson, Goethe, Fourier, and Swedenborg
• Fuller's application of her gender concept to specific areas like marriage, education, and the economy

Chapter Summaries

The introduction establishes the context for the study by providing a brief overview of Margaret Fuller's life and work. It also outlines the primary sources and secondary literature used in the research.

Chapter II delves into the traditional gender concept prevalent in Antebellum America, exploring the emergence of the "separate spheres" ideology and its consequences for women. It examines the limitations placed on women in various spheres of life, including education, employment, and social participation. This chapter also explores women's resistance to these limitations through their involvement in religious movements like the First and Second Great Awakening, particularly in the abolitionist and temperance movements.

Chapter III focuses on Margaret Fuller's own concept of "gender." It analyzes her criticism of the prevailing gender concept and explores her vision of a more equitable and inclusive society. Fuller's concepts of "de-gendering" of language and the multidimensional, androgynous soul are discussed, along with the influences of transcendentalism, Emerson, Goethe, Fourier, and Swedenborg.

Chapter IV examines how Fuller applied her gender concept to specific areas of life, including marriage, education, and the economy. It explores her ideas about a more egalitarian and fulfilling marriage ideal and her vision for accessible and transformative education. The chapter also examines Fuller's perspectives on women's participation in the economy and her views on the need for economic independence.

Keywords

The primary focus of this work is on the concept of "gender" as articulated by Margaret Fuller, examining her critiques of traditional gender roles in Antebellum America. The study examines the "separate spheres" ideology, women's resistance, and Fuller's alternative vision for a more equitable and inclusive society. Key themes include transcendentalism, the "de-gendering" of language, the multidimensional and androgynous soul, and Fuller's applications of her gender concept to areas like marriage, education, and the economy.

Details

• 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