A recent biography I read had a line that stopped me and I had to think long about it: Among nineteenth-century American women poets, only Emily Dickinson continues to be read and studied. Damn. I started thinking of the women poets I know from the nineteenth century—and it was true, I couldn’t think of another American woman poet that I was taught in school. Emma Lazarus maybe, occasionally. But consistently read and studied?
Thank you Freya for introducing me to Howe’s work. I can see that what fuels her work is the her infuriated spirit under the domination of that wretched and distasteful husband of hers, what a prick seriously! Such deep and well researched homage this essay is to the poetess and the struggles of her inner life. I don’t think life has changed much for women still, the chore, the children, and the responsibilities are still at war with their angst for creativity and freedom, at least in the global East and south where feminism was slow to shape women’s liberation movements. However slowly we have learned to say no, learned to take time for ourselves, and shut the door every once in a while to retire with our quills and ink.
Thank you for giving me so much to think about. 💜🌼
I agree, life hasn't changed much for so so many women--and it's what kind of galls and fuels my interest, to see how women have been trying to refuse these patterns for so so long. But we will shut the doors with our quills and ink (love that), and say no. Thanks so much for reading, friend. 💜
This was such a stunning read, Freya. Thank you. To think of all the Julia Ward Howe’s ...their gorgeous talent snuffed out and stifled by their husbands/brothers/fathers. It’s heartbreaking and infuriating all at once.
This piece reminded me of the way I grew up in machismo culture. How we are taught to hide and not draw attention, to be a “lady”, that men know best. Excuse my language...F*ck all that.
Thanks so much--it is heartbreaking and infuriating at once, I so agree. And there is so much that women are still conditioned to do that are echoed in all of it--and yet--fuck all that! :)
And "What a strange propensity it is in these scribbling women, to make a show of their hearts"?? Never did like Nathaniel Hawthorne. Such a judgmental, misogynist asshole. I think I still have minor surface-level scars from being forced to read him in high school.
Wonderful essay. I knew nothing about her. Have been hearing a lot about the Montei book, which I probably won't get around to reading so I appreciate your insights and thoughts about it. Thank you so much for all you do to bring us these lesser-known stories, Freya! Would love to see Howe's real life and poetry taught in schools.
I know--what a guy, huh? Hawthorne was awful to women--total misogynist. One of my favorite episodes of Dickinson is when Louisa May Alcott shows up with friends for xmas and she takes Emily for a run to give her advice (because Alcott did go for runs) and says something about Hawthorne but then claims "But Hawthorne can eat a dick, amirite?" Hilarious. And spot on.
The Montei book was really good--and it was so interesting to see those threads woven throughout both stories. Thanks as always for reading friend! 💜
Haha. I'd love to know what she really thought about him! I bet not much. Alcott had quite a temper, they say. I really connected with her knowing that, when you tour the house and they show you that pillow she used to knock over to indicate to her family they'd better not bother her or else. Totally empathize!
I hadn't read that she had a temper but I believe it in the way she portrayed Jo and that bomb of a line from her mom saying she's angry every day. I agree--I love her more for it--and the pillow knocked over! So great. I love that. YES.
Thank you Freya for introducing me to Howe’s work. I can see that what fuels her work is the her infuriated spirit under the domination of that wretched and distasteful husband of hers, what a prick seriously! Such deep and well researched homage this essay is to the poetess and the struggles of her inner life. I don’t think life has changed much for women still, the chore, the children, and the responsibilities are still at war with their angst for creativity and freedom, at least in the global East and south where feminism was slow to shape women’s liberation movements. However slowly we have learned to say no, learned to take time for ourselves, and shut the door every once in a while to retire with our quills and ink.
Thank you for giving me so much to think about. 💜🌼
I agree, life hasn't changed much for so so many women--and it's what kind of galls and fuels my interest, to see how women have been trying to refuse these patterns for so so long. But we will shut the doors with our quills and ink (love that), and say no. Thanks so much for reading, friend. 💜
This was such a stunning read, Freya. Thank you. To think of all the Julia Ward Howe’s ...their gorgeous talent snuffed out and stifled by their husbands/brothers/fathers. It’s heartbreaking and infuriating all at once.
This piece reminded me of the way I grew up in machismo culture. How we are taught to hide and not draw attention, to be a “lady”, that men know best. Excuse my language...F*ck all that.
Thanks so much--it is heartbreaking and infuriating at once, I so agree. And there is so much that women are still conditioned to do that are echoed in all of it--and yet--fuck all that! :)
Thank you so much for this!
Thanks so much for reading!
Such a wonderful piece, Freya.
It’s a great thing to sing the praise of the less celebrated.
Thanks so much Michael--appreciate your comment and for reading. I agree--it's crazy really that we don't better know the realities of these writers.
That. HUSBAND. Holy crap.
And "What a strange propensity it is in these scribbling women, to make a show of their hearts"?? Never did like Nathaniel Hawthorne. Such a judgmental, misogynist asshole. I think I still have minor surface-level scars from being forced to read him in high school.
Wonderful essay. I knew nothing about her. Have been hearing a lot about the Montei book, which I probably won't get around to reading so I appreciate your insights and thoughts about it. Thank you so much for all you do to bring us these lesser-known stories, Freya! Would love to see Howe's real life and poetry taught in schools.
I know--what a guy, huh? Hawthorne was awful to women--total misogynist. One of my favorite episodes of Dickinson is when Louisa May Alcott shows up with friends for xmas and she takes Emily for a run to give her advice (because Alcott did go for runs) and says something about Hawthorne but then claims "But Hawthorne can eat a dick, amirite?" Hilarious. And spot on.
The Montei book was really good--and it was so interesting to see those threads woven throughout both stories. Thanks as always for reading friend! 💜
Haha. I'd love to know what she really thought about him! I bet not much. Alcott had quite a temper, they say. I really connected with her knowing that, when you tour the house and they show you that pillow she used to knock over to indicate to her family they'd better not bother her or else. Totally empathize!
I hadn't read that she had a temper but I believe it in the way she portrayed Jo and that bomb of a line from her mom saying she's angry every day. I agree--I love her more for it--and the pillow knocked over! So great. I love that. YES.