Reforming women : the rhetorical tactics of the American Female Moral Reform Society, 1834-1854 / Lisa J. Shaver.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Shaver, Lisa J., author.

Series:

Pittsburgh series in composition, literacy, and culture

Composition, literacy, and culture

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

American Female Moral Reform Society--History.

American Female Moral Reform Society.

Prostitution--Prevention--History.

Prostitution.

Women.

Prostitution--Prevention.

Genre:

History.

Physical Description:

x, 190 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Pittsburgh, Pa. : University of Pittsburgh Press, [2018]

Summary:

In Reforming Women, Lisa Shaver locates the emergence of a distinct women's rhetoric and feminist consciousness in the American Female Moral Reform Society. Established in 1834, the society took aim at the lascivious behavior increasingly visible in America's industrialized cities. In particular, reformers contested the double standard that overlooked promiscuous behavior in men while harshly condemning women for the same offense. There ardent rhetoric resonated with women across the country. With its widely read periodical and auxiliary societies representing more than fifty thousand women, the American Female Moral Reform Society became the first national Reform movement organized and led by, and consisting solely of, women. Drawing on an in-depth examination of the group's periodical, Reforming Women delineates essential rhetorical tactics, including women's strategic use of gender, the periodical press, anger, prescience, auxiliary societies, and institutional rhetoric. Almost two centuries later, female moral reformers rhetoric resonates today as our society continues to struggle with different moral expectations for men and women. -- from jacket.

Contents:

Chapter 1 Gendering Moral Reform p. 13

Chapter 2 Radiating Righteous Anger in the Advocate of Moral Reform p. 38

Chapter 3 Being Present p. 62

Chapter 4 Igniting Auxiliary Power p. 88

Chapter 5 Establishing an Institution p. 114.

Gendering moral reform

Radiating righteous anger in the advocate of moral reform

Being present

Igniting auxiliary power

Establishing an institution.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 177-184) and index.

Local Notes:

Athenaeum copy: Jones Fund bookplate.

ISBN:

9780822965480

0822965488

OCLC:

1032574320