Week of November 28

Read. in Nylander

Chapter IV Frosty Mornings and Stinging Fingers: The Effects of Winter pp. 74 - 103

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

Evidence suggests that New England was a colder place in the mid 19th century than it is today. There were some especially cold winters in the 19th century--a result of the explosion of a very large volcano tossing lots of dust into the atmosphere. Nowadays, we're tossing carbon up ourselves, and global warming may be bringing more permantnt climate change.

Perhaps the effect of this chapter could best be realized by reading it in front of an open window! Firewood provided both a problem and an opportunity. Imagine the amount of wood necessary to heat the residences of a city the size of Boston. Recognize, too, the dangers of fire and the tragedies which resulted from causes as simple as a random spark. Some quaint New England customs arose as a response to incredibly frigid temperatures... indoors. Among these, bundling is perhaps the most famous.

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. This should remind you of the images of clotheswashing in The Midwife's Tale. Did you bring dirty laundry home for Thanksgiving?

For Wednesday, November 6

Read, in Nylander,

Chapter VII, "Toward our Mutual Support" pp. 163 - 182

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've already studied in Hanson. It wasn't just the middle and working classes who loved getting toghether. We'll see that it made a significant contribution to the life satisfactions of the upper classes, as well. 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.

Welcome Back! I hope you had a great Thanksgiving Break, and are ready to charge into the home stretch . I am still sorting out the Legends and Folk Lore. Expect an e-mail soon. We'll have to sort out who does what when, among other things.