SWA #4

Through her excerpt “On The Preservation Of A Good Temper In A Housekeeper”, Catherine Beecher aims to define and put emphasis on the duties and importance of a good “housekeeper” in the American household. For Beecher, a housekeeper is a woman that plans, controls, and performs common household duties as well as tasks such as raising the children, as well as enforces obedience and good behavior. Although most women in the middle class were housekeepers, Beecher seeks to define and encourage proper behavior and mannerisms of such women. An “equable and cheerful temper” in such women is crucial because the feeling manifests itself in the children and husband, and duties are performed in a more thorough manner. Beecher claims that “a sorrowful, a discontented, or an angry, countenance, produces a silent, sympathetic influence, imparting a somber shade to the mind…” (249).

Beecher makes a list of considerations to prepare women to deal with daily “crosses.” The first consideration is that a woman should make her mind to “regard her duties as dignified, important, and difficult” (250). A woman must also prepare her arranged duties so that she will be ready to meet difficulty with “a cheerful and quiet spirit” (251). Next, a woman needs to formulate her plans in way that meets the needs and character of those around her; particularly her husband and children. Finally, a family needs to live by a mother’s example. More specifically, a woman must never lash out in temper; she must do resolve everything with a calm, cool sense so that the children live in a sense of calm and follow the mother’s example.

It is difficult to connect the themes and assumptions of this excerpt to all women in 19^th century society because this article is clearly aiming at the middle class, white woman. Beecher writes this article assuming that all women are “stay at home moms” and have the time to really rationalize the sciences and theories presented. To provide an example, a woman of the upper class might hire a “housekeeper” and “nanny” to resolve all the duties involved in taking care of the home and family. In contrast, a lower class woman may not have the time to care for her own children or make meals consistently. In addition, the author fails to explore more strict tactics in raising children where mothers are stern and demanding of their children. Beecher has a very specific outlook on the role of women in society, and seems to ignore alternate possibilities.