"Feminizing the voice of literary authority: Sarah J. Hale's editorship of the ""Ladies' Magazine"" and ""Godey's Lady's Book"""

"This study focuses on Sarah Josepha Hale, editor of the Ladies' Magazine (1828-1836) and then Godey's Lady's Book (1837-1877). Contesting the perception of these popular women's magazines as anti-literary and as anti-feminist, I identify the importance of these magazines in the development of American literature and their relationship with American feminism. I argue that Hale redefined literary culture so as to encourage women's participation in that world and to establish her own authority. She did so by manipulating the domestic ideology pervasive in nineteenth-century America, specifically the notion of separate spheres for women and men and the belief in women's ""natural"" moral superiority. Rather than equate such domestic and separatist ideology with women's confinement in the home, Hale used it to increase women's intellectual and literary opportunities."

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

English

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• Okker, Patricia Ann

Contributors dc:contributor

• Baym, Nina

• American Studies
• Women's Studies
• Literature, American

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 1990 Okker, Patricia Ann

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

AAI9026286
(UMI)AAI9026286

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/22698