Week of November 7, 2006

Chapter V Clean, Bright, and Comfortable: Dimensions of Housework pp. 104 -142

Chapter V reminds us of two related things. First, inefficient technologies are frequently dirty technologies, and second, nothing drives invention harder than necessity. Text and illustrations alike will provide evidence of both the desire for, and difficulty of attaining of, cleanliness. We’ll also see how innovations begin to make the lives of New Englanders more pleasant. Be careful to recognize the truth in the old saying that we don’t miss what we’ve never had.

Chapter VI: Clean and Decent: A Family’s Clothing pp.143 -162

This chapter is about more than mere clothing. Of course, clothing isn’t really “mere,” anyhow. All one needs to do is think about how much time and effort we spend choosing our garments. This chapter marks the transition from a period in which clothes were almost entirely home products (homespun becomes a metaphor for everything from moral sayings to humor) to products made at least partly by machine in the great mills of towns like Lawrence and Lowell and Fall River. (0r lesser enterprises like Slater Mill, to the right. We'll return to looking at Mill life when we spend some more time with Hansen. Women like the ones at the right provided the stuff for the fashions of women like those below. Be aware of who or what served as an “arbiter of taste”. Note, too which occasions called for “special regalia”. Finally, be aware that Nylander has chosen to consider personal cleanliness in this chapter, and not the preceding one.

from Godey's Lady's Book, February 1850

Figure 1st.– Evening dress of straw-colored silk, the skirt trimmed with four flounces of Brussels lace; the first one very deep, the other medium width, and caught up with small bouquets. The corsage is trimmed in a similar style, the lace arranged as a berthe cape, and the trimming of the sleeves falling a little below it. The bouquet de corsage, or bouquet for the waist, is of the same flowers as the wreath, as is usual in full evening costume. Wreaths of purple heath, or the mingled blossoms of aquatic plants, are the most fashionable this season. The heath is worn with ringlets, and made to droop at the side, while the others form small bouquets. Flowers are the most simple and natural ornaments a young lady can wear.

Figure 2d.– A walking-dress of claret-colored cashmere or merino. The form of the corsage is novel and striking. The sleeves are trimmed to correspond with the waist and skirt, being buttoned to the elbow. Delicate cuffs and collar of lace. The bonnet has a single plume, and is lined with a drawn blue ribbon.

FURS.– It will be noticed that the muff' in the fashion plate is of ermine, which is in favor this winter, although sables and stone martin are more generally worn – ermine being so successfully counterfeited that the real can scarce be told from the imitation. Muffs, tippets, and deep cuffs are the principal articles in which fur is used, although opera cloaks, and even hoods, have been trimmed with a narrow row of ermine or sable. Swansdown in cuffs, or a border for sacques, is very tasteful. The muffs are somewhat smaller than they have been worn – very much smaller than those now in vogue in the country. The tippets are small circular capes about the neck, descending in a kind of scarf from in front, very much as our grandmothers wore them

With Chapter VII we return to a consideration of the village and the family as economic units. We’ve had a chance to think about this before through work in Wood, but here, we’ll be able to concentrate on the artifacts that New Englanders’ accumulated for their use... the hard goods, the textiles, the pottery, and the way that they accumulated these. If you’ve ever had a favorite mug or plate you will understand something of the importance of objects in defining who you are.

Chapter IX introduces is to the social side of life in New England...something we’ll pursue when we return to Hansen the week following this. Recognize at least two distinct types of social activities...those which have a relationship to labor and those which seem to have been conducted for the sheer joy of getting together. Be aware of the kinds of amusements which New England Citizens practiced, and also be aware of the various rituals associated with these. The illustrations are going to be very important here... I wish they were better reproduced. Look at who gets involved with whom, and over what. Always bring the books with you. I’ve been a little lax in reminding you of this, but then, maybe I shouldn’t have to remind you of this any longer.

Regarding a possible Field Trip to Old Sturbridge.

Is there any interest in this? It would be voluntary. I can get the trip subsidized to the extent of providing transportation and admissions, but students would be responsible for providing their own lunches. Looking at my calendar, the most feasible date seems to be Saturday November 18. I’ll pass around a sign-up sheet on Tuesday. I’d need about ½ the class to make this worthwhile.