By reading more of this novel, I've realized what Rowson's intentions and motives were in writing it. She was writing for an intended young, female audience in hopes of acquainting them with American history. The book seems pretty similar to Charlotte Temple in that they both can be seen as guide books. Both include characters that are victims and villains. I've noticed a few lessons that Rowson expends and I'm sure more will come.
It's both confusing and interesting to connect the family ties in the novel. Rowson takes the reader on a history lesson of several generations of the family beginning with Christopher Columbus.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Key Issues
I’m up to chapter XV in the novel and here’s what I have found so far.
Vanity (specifically female vanity)
This is especially evident in the first chapter where Isabelle scolds Columbia for displaying vanity. Isabelle warns, “Sickness, misfortune, poverty, might deprive your eyes of their luster, your skin of its glossy hue, and steal the luxuriant tresses from your head” (Rowson 6).
Virtues
Faith and heresy
This seems to be an ongoing topic of discussion in the novel. Besides being not permitted to marry outside of the family’s faith, society had to be wary of challenging the faith of the queen. Isabelle and Columbia were seen as heretics in Queen Mary’s eyes and barely escaped severe punishment or death because of it.
Coquetry
Mina, Columbia’s companion, is labeled as a coquette. She is described as being “fond of admiration, and pleased with those who gave it” (Rowson 85). This quality later leads to her downfall.
Sensibility
One example I noted was the description of Isabelle’s eyes “glistening with the dew of sensibility” (Rowson 37).
Also, women were required to be sensible of the “insurmountable barrier” which marrying a man of a different faith would provide. (Rowson 65).
Seduction and villains
Howard seduces Mina into releasing confidential information. Later, he pursues Columbia. Talking about Howard’s trickery and deceitfulness, Isabelle tells her daughter that they are “in the power of a villain” (Rowson 112).
Compliance
Women were not allowed to marry outside of their faith as Isabelle did. Cora is telling her of the “fatal consequences that must result from such an indulgence” (Rowson 68).
Nobility
Beatina is advising Isabelle on choosing a proper husband. She warns Isabelle to be mindful of her fortune and to not “disgrace it by an ignoble alliance” (Rowson 39). She advises, “Seek courage, honour, good sense, and polished manners. These constitute true nobility” (Rowson 39).
Native Americans or Indians
So far, they are seen as docile creatures. When Columbus reached America, he says, “I found the inhabitants humane, social, and tractable; and left our little colony in a state of greater comfort than could have expected” (Rowson 19).
Vanity (specifically female vanity)
This is especially evident in the first chapter where Isabelle scolds Columbia for displaying vanity. Isabelle warns, “Sickness, misfortune, poverty, might deprive your eyes of their luster, your skin of its glossy hue, and steal the luxuriant tresses from your head” (Rowson 6).
Virtues
Faith and heresy
This seems to be an ongoing topic of discussion in the novel. Besides being not permitted to marry outside of the family’s faith, society had to be wary of challenging the faith of the queen. Isabelle and Columbia were seen as heretics in Queen Mary’s eyes and barely escaped severe punishment or death because of it.
Coquetry
Mina, Columbia’s companion, is labeled as a coquette. She is described as being “fond of admiration, and pleased with those who gave it” (Rowson 85). This quality later leads to her downfall.
Sensibility
One example I noted was the description of Isabelle’s eyes “glistening with the dew of sensibility” (Rowson 37).
Also, women were required to be sensible of the “insurmountable barrier” which marrying a man of a different faith would provide. (Rowson 65).
Seduction and villains
Howard seduces Mina into releasing confidential information. Later, he pursues Columbia. Talking about Howard’s trickery and deceitfulness, Isabelle tells her daughter that they are “in the power of a villain” (Rowson 112).
Compliance
Women were not allowed to marry outside of their faith as Isabelle did. Cora is telling her of the “fatal consequences that must result from such an indulgence” (Rowson 68).
Nobility
Beatina is advising Isabelle on choosing a proper husband. She warns Isabelle to be mindful of her fortune and to not “disgrace it by an ignoble alliance” (Rowson 39). She advises, “Seek courage, honour, good sense, and polished manners. These constitute true nobility” (Rowson 39).
Native Americans or Indians
So far, they are seen as docile creatures. When Columbus reached America, he says, “I found the inhabitants humane, social, and tractable; and left our little colony in a state of greater comfort than could have expected” (Rowson 19).
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