Review what you've read in Hansen. And share your trick or treat candy with me.
Read, in Hansen, A Very Social Time
Acknowledgments, Author's Note, pp. xi-xv
Chapter I. Making the Social Central, an Introduction pp. 1-28
Take some time to look at the illustrations, gathered together following p. 112.
APPENDIX A: Sources of Evidence pp. 171 - 182
The Acknowledgments and Author's Note will explain the author's interests and methodology, including the editorial process (remember we considered this in the case of William Wood's book as edited by Alden Vaughn).
Chapter One suggests that while we normally divide human activity in to private and public spheres, there are actually three spheres, rather than just two. We need to consider the social sphere apart from the public and private. Make sure that you understand how Ms. Hansen defines these. The key section begins on p. 7.
When you look at the illustrations, try to develop both empathy with and curiosity about the subjects posing for them.
The Appendix is especially usful for its discussion of the practical usefulness of diaries, letters, and the like. Hansen does a special service for discussing the difference between the kinds of diaries and letters the intelligentsia write and the kinds of diaries and letters (and autobiorgraphies) ordinary people write. I think you'll see how she came to love the persons about which she wrote.
If you have some time, and I hope you do, take a look at some of the pictures of ordinary people in the 1930s and 1940s...like the children picking potatoes I've posed in the corner.
Here's another example. The caption reads "Mrs. Frank Robbins and her children, who live in trailer near United Aircraft where her husband works nights. East Hartford, Connecticut ."
The picture links to the Library of Congress Collection. The index to New England pictures
With all the Hullabaloo surrounding Halloween, and the opportunities on campus to be "terrified", it might be a good idea to reflect a little on Witches and Witchcraft in Colonial New England. The Postcard above dates to 1882--the Bicentennial of the Witchcraft Hysteria in Massachusetts Bay Colony. Today, Salem makes a tidy sum of money from witchcraft tourism, and even has an "official" town witch. So it might be a worthy act to meditate a little on the names below during "trick or treat" season. But I guess it is better to joke about witches than to hang persons accused of being the same. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Authorities
Thomas Danforth | John Hale | Increase Mather | Samuel Parris | William Phips | William Stoughton
Accusers
Elizabeth Hubbard | Mercy Lewis | Betty Parris | Ann Putnam, Jr. | Susannah Sheldon | Mary Walcott | Abigail Williams
Accused
John Alden | Edward Bishop | Sarah Bishop | Mary Black | Mary Bradbury | Sarah Cloyce | Rebecca Eames | Mary English | Phillip English | Abigail Faulkner | Dorcas Good | William Hobbs | Mary Lacy | Sarah Morey | Benjamin Proctor | Elizabeth Proctor | Sarah Proctor | William Proctor
Confessed and Accused Others
Dorcas Hoar | Abigail Hobbs | Deliverance Hobbs | Margaret Jacobs | Tituba | Mary Warren
Executed
Bridget Bishop | George Burroughs | Martha Carrier | Martha Corey | Mary Eastey | Sarah Good | Elizabeth Howe | George Jacobs, Sr. | Susannah Martin | Rebecca Nurse | Alice Parker | Mary Parker | John Proctor | Ann Pudeator | Wilmot Redd | Margaret Scott | Samuel Wardwell | Sarah Wildes | John Willard
Died in Prison
Lydia Dustin | Ann Foster | Sarah Osborn | Roger Toothaker
Died During Interrogation
Giles Corey
For Wednesday, November 2
Read, in Hansen, A Very Social Time
Chapter II. "I Never Forget What I Remember" pp. 29 - 51
Chapter Two continues the methodological concerns which began in Chapter I. The first two pages present the questions Hansen wishes to raise and the reasons why she wishes to raise them. The chapter also presents the groups upon which Hansen will focus. The last section of the chapter is interesting both for the introduction it gives to a number of persons whose stories are at the core of this study and for the way Hansen shares her initial reaction to the persons she encounters as she reads through the diaries and autobiographies which form her principal sources. This is another of the rare scholarly books in which the author does not adopt a position of anonymity throughout the investigation. I think you may enjoy watching Hansen's mind at work.
For Friday, November 4
There will be no class today. A group of American Studies and History Students are visiting Plimoth Plantation to attend a conference.
Read, in Hansen, A Very Social Time
