Women s Proper Sphere, And The Godey s Lady Book...

Within the 19th century American atmosphere, is a realm of cultural tropes that distinguishes themselves among the common literature that people read. Among these people, are different demographics as each publication caters to a specific audience on the basis of race, gender, and residing region. While the readers of these publications come from varying backgrounds and belief systems, there are unique similarities that provide insight as to how people were reading in the 19th century. These similarities contextualize what these readers were looking for in these publications as well as their interests and habits in respect to the demographics represented in the periodical archive. The two publications that best contextualize gender are the Lowell Offering and the Godey’s Lady Book periodicals as the articles found in both magazines depict traditional gender roles for males and females. For the Lowell Offering, this is best seen in the article entitled, â€Å"Woman’s Proper Sphere†, which focuses on the thoughts associated with oppression like, â€Å"Is it ambitious wish to shine as man’s equal, in the same scenes in which he mingles† or â€Å"Does she wish for a more extensive influence, than that which emanates from a woman’s home?† Yet these progressive questions are met with answers like â€Å"How necessary, then, that she should understand these pursuits (of men), that she may truly sympathize with and encourage those, with whom she may be associated. In this way†¦her influence must and