Republican Motherhood Blog

1. What role did the Revolutionary War play in the transformation of housewifery to Republican Motherhood?

With the advent of the Revolution, women began to be seen as more vital in the home, dubbed "her appropriate sphere of action" and described as where a woman can best perform her patriotic duties by training and traching her children to be good American citizens (Document A). It was stated often that a mother's duty was to enlighten her sons in the principles of government (Document B).

2. What were the consequences of Republican Motherhood on women?

Women gained some respect through their roles as educators, though confining them to the home was still an elaborate means of oppression. However, women at least became more educated through the concept of Republican Motherhood. It was deemed necessary that "ladies should be qualified to a certain degree" in order to properly teach their children, and as such they became more educated in the English language, penmanship, figures and bookkeeping, geography, and chronology to read history and the like (Document B).

3. What is the significance of the ideology of Republican Motherhood as a stage in the process of women’s socialization?

Women were meant to be confined to the home, but nonetheless influencing society through making the home environment a pleasant one-- the destiny of America was said to rely on their influence within society and the home (Document D). Republican Motherhood did allot some semblance of power to women through the respect they earned as educators, but it cannot be forgotten that given the continued oppression and condescension towards women, this was a rather meager gain; there should be no delusions that this denoted equality between the sexes.

 1. Describe the setting.

The painting appears to be set upon a couch within the parlor of a well-decorated home. There is a glimpse of a painting or mirror in the background.

2. Who serves at the center of the portrait and why? How does the woman look? How is she “republican” rather than aristocratic?

The woman serves as the center of the portrait, given that she is the largest and most well-lit figure. She is dressed well and conservatively, though not extravagantly, as one would expect of a well-to-do aristocrat. Her posture is dignified and similarly not extravagant, appearing gentle.

3. What values do her sons exhibit?

The woman's sons are similarly well-dressed and also possess good posture, signifying that they are being raised into polite and educated American citizens by their mother.

4. Is there a significance to the position of Mrs. Tilgham’s arm?

 Her arm gently separates the two children, presumably the younger from the older, while also cradling slightly the child who appears to be younger. Her position is very matronly and has slight connotations of motherly affection, while still having a slightly poised, disciplinary air that would be expected of one whose duty it is to educate children.