Republican Motherhood Blog

1. What role did the Revolutionary War play in the transformation of house wifery to Republican Motherhood?

The  Revolutionary War shaped women to transform out of their known roles of being in charge of the house to gaining new rights and roles. The men respect the women to gain knowledge and raise the household too. Yet, raising the children to become a patriot is a job, she can gain knowledge to teach the children (Document A). With the duties of being with their husband, education is still important. Knowing English, how to write, bookkeeping, and history is important to pass down to the children (Document B). Home is the comfort zone for women at this time period. It is the boundary for them which many never crossed or conquered. Now, the other side leads to the society that can be changed forever (Document D). It is a barrier never broken before this time period, but little pieces of this wall will fall over time.

2. What were the consequences of Republican Motherhood on women?

This was something that had not been thought of before. Women breaking out of their social home and gaining progress to lead forward. Although, this society has not seen women break out of their normal lifestyle in which chaos will control society (Document D). Yet, having a little freedom for women is acceptable, it is their right place to remain restricted to create a well-ordered family (Document A). The women were given few freedoms, but this society is not ready for the change in lifestyle for women.

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

Republican Motherhood is the first step in gaining rights for women. Even though it is a tiny step, it is still a step forward. "Religion, fairest off spring of the skies, smiles auspicious on her endeavors; the Genius of Liberty hovers triumphant over the glorious scene," (Document C). The women are gaining ground and should be proud of it. They felt it was not their place to be so they stepped up.

 Mary Gibson Tilghman and her sons by Charles Wilson Peale (1789)

 

 1. Describe the setting.

It shows the woman, Mary Gibson Tilgham, and her sons. The two sons sit on the lap of the mother who is sitting on the couch.

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

The center of the portrait seems to be Mary Gibson Tilgham as she is portraying a modest look as she has more light to her than anything else in the portrait. The woman wears just a plain dress with nothing too fancy on herself. She looks republican and not aristocratic because she wears no make up and has just a regular dress.

3. What values do her sons exhibit?

The son on the left with the blue outfit seems to be wearing a soldiers uniform. This shows he is learning to about the army and maybe the father is not present because he is in battle. The other son in the white outfit wears just plain clothes to show that he resembles the modesty of his mother.

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

The position of the arm holding back the younger child to the other one shows that she tries to make the children behave and teaches them and guides them to be calm and responsible, the role of the Republican Motherhood.