After reading this piece, and then discussing in class, I think it's really interesting to consider the points of view outsiders would have had in the situation between Abby and Sarah. Of course, we mentioned Boston marriages, and the nonexistence of Lesbianism, as well as reading this with Queer theory in mind. However, what if we were innocent by-standards watching Abby and Sarah's relationship grow and unfold; and how would our opinions be different if we saw them as they were in the nineteenth-century, as opposed to seeing them today? I want to leave this as a questions to everyone, but I'll begin with a small answer: I think people today are, sadly, much more judgmental and intrusive. I don't believe Abby and Sarah could have lived a peaceful life as they did if they lived in today's time. They would be in the constant eye of the public and rumors about two women living together would be spiraling. Even if the women were "just friends," I don't believe that would even be a considered, valid reason today like it would have been assumed in the nineteenth century.
What does everyone else think?
I'm not sure that in this time period people would have given two women living together too much thought. Men died younger than women, whether it was due to war, health issues or accidents. Women would have to either marry again or room up with another woman to afford to live and to split the amount of chores that needed to be done everyday.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree. Homoerotic content has been around since Shakespeare. It is only recently that a homophobic attitude has sprouted in American society. Abby and Sarah would have been under constant questioning, even if those questions were never spoken aloud.
Mrs. Dunbar, our only outside character, expresses no concern one way or another. I don't think that would be the case if Mrs. Dunbar was in 2015 America.
I think you're right. A lot of people today would probably look upon two adult women living together curiously, wondering if there is perhaps a romantic relationship. With that being said, I don't understand why people would jump to that conclusion. A lot of adults live alone, so what could be wrong with living with your best friend? Plenty of twenty-something's do this, but why not unmarried women in their thirties and forties? It makes sense for people who don't like to live alone, I think.
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