Catharine Maria Sedgwick (1789–1867)

"Scarce London edition of these twelve stories by Miss Sedgwick, dedicated to ‘Lucy, Lizzie, Martha, Eliza, Bessie, Louisa, Sarah, Alice, and Jenny, the girls of the L----- School.' Catharine Maria Sedgwick (1789-1867) 'was an American novelist of what is sometimes referred to as "domestic fiction". With her work much in demand, from the 1820s to the 1850s, Sedgwick made a good living writing short stories for a variety of periodicals. She became one of the most notable female novelists of her time. She wrote work in American settings, and combined patriotism with protests against historic Puritan oppressiveness. Her topics contributed to the creation of a national literature, enhanced by her detailed descriptions of nature. Sedgwick created spirited heroines who did not conform to the stereotypical conduct of women at the time. She promoted Republican motherhood.' (Wikipedia). In line with Sedgwick's popularity three other London editions appeared, all rare, printed by Tilt and Bogue, W. Smith and William Tegg. The present edition, however, appears unrecorded. Not in OCLC or COPAC." (Pickering & Chatto, cat. 799, lot 78).… (meer)

Charlotte Temple was the biggest best teller in American, basically until [b:Uncle Tom's Cabin|46787|Uncle Tom's Cabin|Harriet Beecher Stowe|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1414349231s/46787.jpg|2478635] came along. Considering the intensity with which female sexuality and expressions are strictly controlled throughout the entire book, I am somewhat surprised the book was so popular. But, I suppose, at the same time I'm not. Published in the 1790s, there was a dark cloud of female suppression hanging over America at this time. I supposed I just wanted to believe that women would have recognized their own abilities, talents, skills, understandings, and depths and not dismissed them so readily as is indicated by the vast popularity of this work. This work directly links the titular character's death to the fact she decided to have sex. If she had appropriately obeyed the male authority figures in her life she would be alive and perfectly happy and content.

Although I think this book is a sentimental, anti-woman work, there is something important to be said about the fame of this early work of American literature that was written by a woman. An article by Jane Tompkins elucidates the importance and unjust treatment received by Susanna Rowson in her lifetime and how that heritage of dismissal was carried on into our age. Charles Brockden Brown is considered the father of the American novel, but Rowson was writing at the same period and much more prolifically than Brown did. But because of the gender stereotyping and restrictions, considering her for the role of the mother of the American novel would've been impossible to consider. In many ways, Rowson would've agreed with this assessment of her work, at least considering the contents of this novel. She is not interested in exalting the place of women, but in reaffirming the status quo. In this way Brown should be considered the father of American literature because he challenged the status quo in many ways.… (meer)