A Very Social Time : Crafting Community in Antebellum New England / Karen V. Hansen.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Hansen, Karen V., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Women.

New England--Social life and customs.

New England.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (304 p.) : 1 frontisp., 25 figs., 1 map, 2 tables

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Berkeley ; Los Angeles, California : University of California Press, [1994]

Language Note:

In English.

System Details:

Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Summary:

Karen Hansen's richly anecdotal narrative explores the textured community lives of New England's working women and men--both white and black--n the half century before the Civil War. Her use of diaries, letters, and autobiographies brings their voices to life, making this study an extraordinary combination of historical research and sociological interpretation. Hansen challenges conventional notions that women were largely relegated to a private realm and men to a public one. A third dimension--the social sphere--also existed and was a critical meeting ground for both genders. In the social worlds of love, livelihood, gossip, friendship, and mutual assistance, working people crossed ideological gender boundaries. The book's rare collection of original writings reinforces Hansen's arguments and also provides an intimate glimpse into antebellum New England life.

Contents:

Front matter

Contents

Illustrations and Tables

Acknowledgments

Author's Note

1. Making the Social Central: An Introduction

2. "I Never Forget What I Remember": Delving into Antebellum New England

3. "Unbosom Your Heart": Friendship and the Construction of Gender

4. "Social Work": Visiting and the Creation of Community

5. "True Opinion Clear of Polish": Gossip, Reputation, and the Community Jury

6. "Getting Religion": The Church as a Social Institution

Conclusion

Appendix A. Sources of Evidence

Appendix B. Diarist Information

Abbreviations

Notes

Selected Bibliography

Index

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9780520917958

0520917952

9780585249711

0585249717

OCLC:

1149453452