Margaret Mitchell's Choices

“Real courage is when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.” Atticus Finch. This quote is proved to be true in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee as it demonstrates the true definition of courage. The book takes you along the journey of young girl, Scout Finch, during a time where colored people are thought less of. She experiences this first hand as her father, Atticus Finch, has been assigned to defend a colored man who has been accused of raping a white female. Scout along with her elder brother Jem, learn the definition of courage through some of the characters and how they act to the events that occur before and after the trial. In Harper Lee’s, To Kill a Mockingbird, many characters are great examples of trusting yourself when all odds are stacked against you. Throughout the novel the characters that display courage are Atticus Finch, Tom Robinson and Boo Radley.

The name Billy Mitchell brings many images to mind. To most, he is an American hero and considered to be one of the most influential figures regarding the creation of the modern Air Force. He was a successful aviator in his own right. What many do not know is that his ideas for the future of air power for the United States military were considered insane. Mitchell was a staunch proponent for an investment in air power as he deemed it was the future of warfare, a vision he would eventually be praised for. During his time, however, his views were considered preposterous as the focus was on battle ships and other naval vessels deemed necessary for war. He was seen as egotistical as he dismantled the opinions of anyone who opposed him. His statements and arguments against his superior officers eventually led to his court martial and resignation from the military. Mitchell was recognized posthumously for his contributions to aerial warfare.

Weir Mitchell was a “doctor, writer, and a poet,” the man also thought, according to The Rest Cure: Repetition or Resolution of Victorian Women’s Conflicts? that men were the better gender and that women’s nervous systems were “more irritable”(8). Weir Mitchell was also a very rude man, he had said at some point to or about one of his patients that “She was a pallid, feeble creature… and has no more bosom than the average chicken of a boardinghouse table. Nature had wisely prohibited this being from increasing her breed” (The Rest Cure Revisited). Why would a doctor say that about one of his patients? Well, women weren’t equal to men back then, hence they were considered frail and weak. Weir Mitchell also had a skewed view on women and didn’t know a women’s body works. Weir Mitchell thought that normal things to a woman at some point in her life with go through menstruation, menopause, and lactation (8). Weir also thought that the organs of a woman were not equal, as apparently male’s organs are equal, and the only organ of value was a woman’s reproductive system specifically the ovaries because they could make babies, they were the dominate organs (8). His per say “bedside manner” wasn’t all that good either; according to the article (The Rest Cure Revisited), he threatened to climb into bed with one of his patients to get her out of bed for whatever reason. His “nice and encouraging” side of being a doctor wasn’t there either; for example, from the article (The Rest Cure

Harper Lee uses Atticus and Mrs. Dubose to communicate her theme that in order to be truly courageous people must follow what they genuinely believe is right.

Comparing Hope Leslie or Early Times in Massachusetts and The Scarlett Letter is interesting because at first glance both novels don’t appear to have much in common aside from having a female protagonist and taking place within Puritan society of early America. (keep but not as first sentence). However, despite obvious differences between both novels such as the character presentation of the female protagonists in Hope Leslie who range from the free-spirited Hope Leslie, obedient Puritan Esther, and character of Magawisca as a noble but proud Native American contrasts with the Hester Prynne’s presentation as a shamed but deeply contemplative woman in The Scarlett Letter. The different purposes all these characters each serve in their respective stories begins to show commonality in that Hope Leslie’s Hope, Esther, and Magawisca and The Scarlett Letter’s Hester Prynne all have to overcome the adversity and social expectations with Puritan society so they can follow their hearts and do what they feel is right by relying on their wit, intelligence, and inner strength. By examining how both Hope Leslie and Hester Prynne overcome the challenges they face in their respective Puritain socities it will be easier to observe how these novels presentation of their female protagonist illustrates the gender politics of each text.

The cannonade of the century began as Aunt Pittypat abandoned Scarlett and a very pregnant Melanie to flee to Macon. As Sherman got closer, Melanie got worse, Scarlett stayed with her out of her love for Ashley. Rhett challenged her love for Ashley and eventually asked Scarlett to be his mistress which she outright refused as he was amused by her. This is the first time where Scarlett thinks about loving him and he is only affirmed in his love for her because he knew she would refuse. Weeks passed and Atlanta was deserted all but Scarlett, Melanie, and hundreds of wounded soldiers and refugees. And of course, the day that Sherman decided to press forward would be the day that Melanie went into labor. Scarlett and Prissy delivered the baby as the last of the army retreated from the city. Scarlett had Prissy get Rhett and his horse and carriage. When he did, he asked Scarlett where she wanted to go and she said Tara. Regardless of logic or fear she wanted to go home, like a child wanting their mother. Scarlett is a selfish person never lifting a finger to help anyone unless it’s in her own interests. But she loves Tara selflessly because Tara will always be home. I love and relate to this part so much, because for Southerners home is more than where you live, it is your identity. And the importance of Tara to Scarlett continues on into the book because Tara is where Scarlett’s heart

The Progressive Era was a period of rapid urbanization and industrialization. During this time, there was a huge inflow of immigrants from Europe into the United States, and a sudden rise of population in urban areas. Because of this, many city dwellers were forced to live in slums, and living conditions deteriorated. Poverty, disease, and infant mortality were increasing.

The Roaring Twenties also know as a new era which was a great time for a revolution.We think of this “New Era” as a freedom for women. Now women were “breaking down the spheres of Victorian values (Zeitz). ” In 1920, the powerful women's rights movement gave the women right to vote after so many years. Now they started to become more independent and had less restriction put into them.This time period gave rise to the flapper girls who smoke, drank, and had sex as they pleased.Many women became rebels, where they started to wear short dresses and tight bathing suits which exposed their skin, and put makeup on. All these actions taken were considered immoral and disrespectful. The early 20th century was a battle between modernism and

“Woman will always be dependent until she holds a purse of her own.” This a quote by the well renowned Elizabeth Cady Stanton. In this research you will learn about her childhood, education and the Declaration of Sentiments and much more about the women’s rights movement. In my research you will learn how impactful Elizabeth Cady Stanton was in history.

Elizabeth Cady was the third surviving child, and the second of the five daughters of Margaret and Daniel Cady. She was born November 12th, 1815 in Johnstown, New York. Her mother was from a family with ties to the American Revolution. Her father was a prominent lawyer. Elizabeth was always aware of the gender-based power imbalances. After her older brother died her dad said she should’ve been born a boy every time she succeeded. She learned to play chess, learned to ride a horse, and studied greek with her families minister. She went to Johnstown academy, she won prizes and awards from there. Her dad was still not impressed or satisfied with her. Elizabeth didn’t complete a degree at Troy. She continued to study in her

Maria strongly supported female education. Maria believed that men and women are equal, and should be treated that way. Maria Mitchell grew up in a Quaker family, and they believe in education for both genders. So, Maria’s parents also strongly supported equal education. Maria’s father worked at a school, and then founded his own school. Maria Mitchell wanted to prove to women that their gender doesn’t stop them. She never used the excuse that she was a woman, and never assumed that she was not capable of doing something. The Nantucket Scrap Basket, a book about people from Nantucket by William Macy, said that once “A gentleman who still cherished the theory of woman’s incapacity for any attainment not purely domestic, once asked Prof. Mitchell if she did not think that the delicate organization of woman unfitted her for the irregular hours which the night work in astronomy necessitated. “Sir,” Miss Mitchell replied, in her deep masculine voice, “my mother had more night work than astronomy will ever demand of any woman. She brought up eight children” (Macey). Maria was recognized as being hard-working and determined, and therefore went on to be the first women elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Philosophical Society, and the first professor hired at Vassar College. This proved to women that females have the capability and capacity to do the same as men. “Do let us have equal rights for

Although it seems that Ashley is nice, I don’t think she is, she could have been hanging out with isabelle because she has a plan to hurt her. I think that Ashley is going to be like that in the next book and backfire on her to go and hangout with her other friends. Even thought they have that in common ashley could get hurt and lose her friends because of that

Scarlett travels to Atlanta with her servant, Prissy after the death of Charles to stay with Melanie, her pregnant sister-in-law. While in Atlanta a battle breaks out and the town is in shambles. Melanie goes into labor.. Scarlett sends Prissy to go and get the Doctor who is caring for the wounded soldiers. Prissy tells Scarlett she can’t go out with all of the canons and shooting, but that she can “birth that baby; I birth babies all the time.” Scarlett goes out and returns without the doctor who is unable to come. In the book, Scarlett despises Melanie and wishes she and the baby would both die; while in the movie Scarlett is portrayed as being somewhat concerned for Melanie.

The end of the era of Reconstruction in America brought forth the greatest rise in American Power. This era was known as the "Guilded Age." Big business grew all over the country producing a few tycoons such as John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, and J. Pierpont Morgan. These men had extreme wealth through huge monopolistic enterprises.

It is a warm spring afternoon in Atlanta, Georgia, and the Mitchell family is gathered around a small lake towards the end of their land. Margaret is heard rustling the leaves of the tree she climbs overhead as her uncles tell stories of the war just below with fishing poles in hands. Off in the distance, her parents are bickering, but singing birds and splashing fish muffle the noise. Even as a child Margaret Mitchell loved to write, and this passion soon became the key to her success. From family, personal love and loss, and viewing with the everchanging world around her, Mitchell was able to create one of the best know novels, Gone with the Wind.