WARNING!!

-Lydia Maria Child, 1841

(Yellin, 53)

Lydia Maria Child wrote controversial short fiction in the 1800’s. She was a spokeswoman on such issues as anti-slavery rights, Native American rights and women’s rights. Child was known to use conventional style of writing. She says things that are quite different than any other 19^th century American journalist (Yellin, wed-site). Reading her texts one finds that she does not say the expected, but instead says the unexpected. Child spoke about all the taboos of her time in her writing. This is what makes her such an interesting woman and writer in the early 19^th century.

Child was born Lydia Francis, in Medford, Massachusetts but spent most of her early life in Maine. In 1822 she returned to Massachusetts to be a schoolteacher. Soon after that, in 1824, she published her first novel Hobomok, which was a response to pro-slavery forces in Georgia that were taking over the farms of the Cherokees. Many were outraged by the writing of a young woman, and a single one at that (Crowell, 18).

The major themes of Child’s writings were slavery, white racism, woman’s rights, life in the cities, problems in America, social change and progress. Child was years ahead of her time in her writing. Also, she boldly published her writings in the political arena, which was restricted to men in the 1800’s.

In 1828 she married David Lee Child, an editor. Her husband also had the same strong feelings as his wife and supported her in them. In 1832 David became a founding member of the New England Anti-Slavery Society. In 1837 Child was invited to be a delegate at the Anti-Slavery Convention of American Women in New York but refused. She thought women were better off as equal members in the American Society than in a segregated organization (Meltzer & Holland, 64).

Child wrote about the most controversial issues of her time and built the stepping stone for the future of a woman’s role in American journalism. She wrote in a monthly magazine called The Juvenile Miscellany. In the magazine she wrote on issues from being a housewife, a mother and on counsel on how to train children. What began her career as an anti-slavery activist was the publication of An Appeal in Favor of That Class of Americans Called Africans in 1833. This is when the name Lydia Child was remembered.

She received reviews praising the book. Poe was among many editors that asked for articles. Emerson thought the Letters were "really a contribution to American literature, recording in generous spirit, and with lively truth…"(Osborne, 91). She got a generous review from Democratic Review, "…a refreshing book…coming so straight from her own heart…"(Osborne, 91). Of course there were others that complained about the anti-reformers comments.

The excerpt below is from her essay "Indians." It speaks about the better treatment of Indians. In this essay she contradicts the majority of society by discounting the notion of racial inferiority of the Indians. She turns the table and puts the responsibility on the white man to introduce them to civilization. Her reasoning was that because this introduction was ignored, the relationship between Indians, Negros and the white man was stunted. As an intelligent woman Child probably knew little about science. However, she did know there was no biological difference between the races because she compares them to different trees in the same forest.

It was a great joy to read and learn about Lydia Maria Child. She is a great example for women today encouraging them to step into careers mainly occupied by men.

After reading the letter it becomes apparent that Child feels that if the white man did try to stretch out their hands to the Indians and Africans that today we would not have the relationship we have with them and the racial barriers. It seems that Child still had racial undertones even though she was speaking for better treatment of the Indians and the African slaves.

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Excerpt from letter #36 "Indians",

Letters From New York

" But what have the African savage, and the wandering Indian for their Past? To fight for food, and grovel in the senses, has been the employment of their ancestors. The Past reproduced in them, mostly belongs to the animal part of our mixed nature. They have indeed come in contact with the race on which had dawned higher ideas; but how have they come in contact? As victims, not as pupils. Rum, gunpowder, the horrors of slavery, the unblushing knavery of trade, these have been their teachers! And because these have failed to produce a high degree of moral and intellectual cultivation, we coolly declare that the negroes are made for slaves, that the Indians cannot be civilized; and that when either of the races come in contact with us, they must either of the races come in contact with us, they must either consent to be our beasts of burden, or be driven the wall, and perish.

That the races of mankind are different, spiritually as well as physically, there is, of course, no doubt; but it is as the difference between trees of the same forest, not as between trees and minerals. The facial angle and shape of the head, is various in races and nations; but these are the effects of spiritual influences, long operating on character, and in their turn becoming causes; thus intertwining, as Past and Future ever do.

But it is urged that Indians who have been put to schools and colleges, still remained attached to a roving life; away from all these advantages, urge that this well-known fact proves the white race incapable of civilization"

Letters From New York, 1845 p.261-262

This is where I got the excerpt from p.261.

Biography

Biography

This site had information on your style of writing.

accessed June 21, 2000.