Boston Marriage Women Living Together, 1800s-1900s

With the advent of the David Mamet production, Boston Marriage, a term once obscure surfaced again to the public consciousness.  Its come back into public consciousness since, as a term for women living in a marriage-like relationship, though with the legalization of marriage for same sex couples, the term is being used less frequently for current relationships, and mostly applied historically. In the 19th century, this term was used for households where two women lived together, independent of any male support. Whether these were lesbian relationships -- in the sexual sense -- is debatable and debated. The likelihood is that some were, some werent. Today, the term Boston marriage is sometimes used for lesbian relationships -- two women living together -- which are not sexual, but usually romantic and sometimes erotic.  We might call them domestic partnerships today. The term Boston marriage is not derived from the Massachusetts legalization of same-sex marriages in 2004.  Nor was it invented for David Mamets writing. The term is much older.  It came to be used, apparently, after Henry Jamess 1886 book, The Bostonians, detailed a marriage-like relationship between two women. They were New Women in the language of the time: women who were independent, not married, self-supporting (which sometimes meant living off of inherited wealth or making a living as writers or other professional, educated careers). Perhaps the best-known example of a Boston marriage, and one which may have been a model for Jamess characters, is the relationship between the writer Sarah Orne Jewett and Annie Adams Fields. Several books in recent years have discussed possible or actual Boston marriage relationships. This new frankness is one result of the greater acceptance today of gay and lesbian relationships in general. A recent biography of Jane Addams by Gioia Diliberto examines her marriage-like relationships with two women at two different periods of her life: Ellen Gates Starr  and Mary Rozet Smith. Less known is the long, live-in relationship of Frances Willard (of the Womens Christian Temperance Union) with her companion, Anna Adams Gordon. Josephine Goldmark (key writer of the Brandeis brief) and Florence Kelley  (National Consumers League)  lived in what might be termed a Boston marriage. Charity Bryant (aunt of William Cullen Bryant, an abolitionist and poet) and Sylvia Drake, in the early 19th century in a town in western Vermont, lived in what the nephew described as a marriage, even when marriage between two women was still legally unthinkable.  The community apparently accepted their partnership, with some exceptions including members of their family.  The partnership included living together, sharing a business, and owning joint property. Their joint gravesite is marked with a single gravestone. Rose (Libby) Cleveland, sister of President Grover Cleveland -- who also served as First Lady until the bachelor president married Frances Folsom -- carried out a long-term romantic and erotic relationship with Evangeline Marrs Simpson, living together in their later years and being buried together. Relevant Books Henry James, The Bostonians. Esther D. Rothblum and Kathleen A. Brehony, editors, Boston Marriages: Romantic But Asexual Relationships Among Contemporary Lesbians. David Mamet, Boston Marriage: A Play. Gioia Diliberto, A Useful Woman: The Early Life of Jane Addams. Lillian Faderman, Surpassing the Love of Men: Romantic Friendship and Love Between Women From the Renaissance to the Present. I Blanche Wiesen Cook, Eleanor Roosevelt: 1884-1933. Blanche Wiesen Cook, Eleanor Roosevelt: 1933-1938. Rachel Hope Cleves, Charity Sylvia: A Same-Sex Marriage in Early America.

The American Dream - 1948 Words

Following the Reconstruction Era, from 1877 to 1920, the United States of America was undergoing industrial, political and social change. The United States industrialized, with sweeping technological developments bringing the country into the â€Å"modern era†. During this time, the country faced many challenges due to its â€Å"Open Door Policy† that led to the largest influx of immigration the country had ever seen. Also, African-Americans struggled to attain the freedoms brought about by the passage of new laws and amendments and Native Americans faced relocation to reservations. Ultimately during this Gilded Age, the poor grew poorer and faced a life of hardship and drudgery while the rich grew richer and seemingly lived an easier life. As a result, the â€Å"American Dream† was unattainable for most. At the heart of the American Dream is the idea that all citizens are born with equal rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and that all citi zens can feel secure in knowing the government, of the people, will work together to protect these rights and secure justice. None of these values were upheld for the citizens of the United States from 1877-1920. African-American citizens were deprived of their human and democratic rights. Furthermore, justice for African Americans was non existent as southern states devised loopholes to keep them serving a life of servitude. Native Americans were deprived of their human rights and security because the government prioritizedShow MoreRelatedImmigrants And The American Dream1362 Words   |  6 PagesImmigrants and the American Dream In the article â€Å"The American Dream†, by James Truslow Adams in The Sundance Reader book, he stated that the American dream is that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. It is a difficult dream for the European upper classes to interpret adequately, and too many of us ourselves have grown weary and mistrustful of it. It is not a dream of motor cars and highRead MoreThe American Dream By Kimberly Amadeo1637 Words   |  7 PagesNowadays, a large number of people migrate to the United States to work and achieve the American Dream. According to the Article â€Å"What is the American Dream?† by Kimberly Amadeo, â€Å"The American Dream was first publicly defined in 1931 by James Truslow Adams in Epic of America. Adam’s often-repeated quote is, ‘The American Dream is that dream of land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyon e, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.’† There are many peopleRead MoreAnalysis Of The Movie The American Dream 754 Words   |  4 Pages Nyreel Powell Ms. Jones American Literature 1 June 2015 The American dream in A Raisin in the Sun Have you ever had a dream and it didn’t come how you wanted it to be? Have you ever had accomplishments that you wanted to achieve but people were getting in the way of them? The four main characters in this book all have good dreams but there are people in the way of getting to those dreams or their dream is too high to accomplish. 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Many great films and works of literature were created to show case all the different ideas people have for their American Dream. The film â€Å"Grapes of Wrath† directed by John Ford and the poem â€Å"I Will Fight No More Forever† by Chief Joseph, both depictRead More Destruction of the American Dream Essay2145 Words   |  9 PagesDestruction of the American Dream I’ve talked about it in the past, the destruction of the American Dream. Always, there have been papers, writings, and thoughts that quantify a particular section of its ultimate demise, be it due to money, education, or sexuality. Maybe the destruction cannot be viewed as a singular event or cause. Perhaps instead it must be examined as a whole process, the decay and ultimate elimination of a dream. Self destruction, if you will†¦ Mr. Self Destruct Read MoreSuccess As One Of The American Dream1137 Words   |  5 PagesApril 2015 Success as One of The American Dream When we hear the word â€Å"success†, we often think of wealth and money. To some people, the embodiment of being success is earning a lot of money. In fact, the concept of success is primarily based on how much money a person earns. However, each person views the definition of success differently. One way to define success is something that has more to do with flash than it does with substance. John Wooden, an American basketball player and coach viewRead MoreJim Cullen And The American Dream2081 Words   |  9 Pages The American Dream, as defined by Cullen, is starting your goal off with a little and ending with more; it s like a business, you invest in it in order to gain more money. Usually, people will define the American Dream as being able to achieve your goal because everyone is offered opportunities. Cullen does acknowledge that people are born with different opportunities, so he talks about the good life. The good life describes different factors that determine your opportunities. Throughout the otherRead MoreFactors Influencing The American Dream1834 Words   |  8 Pagesindividual to succumb or to not succumb to the seductions of crime. These three factors are brilliantly portrayed in the television show, Breaking Bad and the novel, The Stick Up Kids. The American Dream is what many American citizens strive for. However, not all of those citizens are able to achieve the American Dream through a legal pathway. The reason an indivudal may not being able to do so is because of his or her background factors. It is important to note that background factors are a fractionRead MoreShark Tank And The American Dream1755 Words   |  8 PagesShark Tank and The American Dream The TV show Shark tank embodies everything the American dream represents. The show obtains successful Entrepreneurs ready to invest their own money into other Americans wanting to be just like them, reaching the American dream and become a successful entrepreneur. The show presents entrepreneurs working towards the goal of creating a business to not only gain wealth but also change the way we live today. The show is to keep the American dream alive and well while

Should Euthanasia Be Legalized - 1039 Words

Imagine: A terminally ill patient with an inoperable brain tumor named Jon, who live in agonizing pain through everyday. Jon and the doctors knew he was going to die a painful death soon, but why not now, and why is he not offered the option of euthanasia? Because of these reasons: it is illegal in 49 of the states of the United States, except Oregon, since 1828, when the first known anti-euthanasia law was passed in the state of New York. In Oregon, the law states that once a terminally ill adult requests euthanasia, two physicians must agree that the patient is sane and has less than six months to live. Euthanasia is illegal because the United States is based on puritan beliefs that dictate that you cannot take your own life, that death is in the hands of God. Therefore, euthanasia and assisted suicide are illegal because they do not follow the religious law. In 1828, when euthanasia first became illegal, it was considered normal to base states laws off of religion. In some medica l cases Euthanasia should be considered an option, because it is the adult’s right to choose death, the right to end suffering, and the separation of church from state. The word ‘Euthanasia’ comes from the greek word meaning â€Å"good death†. It also means that a doctor can inject a lethal overdose of pain killing medicine into a patient, with their consent, to purposely end their life. Euthanasia differs from assisted suicide because in a situation of assisted suicide, the doctor mixes a lethalShow MoreRelatedShould Euthanasia Be Legalized?1360 Words   |  6 PagesAbout 55% of terminally ill patients die in atrocious pain. Euthanasia is a practice that hasn’t been legalized in many places, and is usually performed by lethal injection. In the United States euthanasia is only legalized in Oregon, Washington, Montana, and certain areas of Texas. Some citizens feel that euthanasia should be legalized because they should have the sole right to their life. Others feel that God is the one that has the authority over a person’s life. There have been many cases whereRead MoreShould Euthanasia Be Legalized?864 Words   |  4 Pagescontroversy over euthanasia. Because there is a sharp conflict on the issue, some countries accept mercy killing lawful while others do not. The main arguments about the issue are whether the deliberate intervention on one’s life to the end is morally right or wrong. Some say euthanasia should be legalized because it is the only way to relieve harsh pain and meet ‘real happiness’ for the patients who are not expected to maintain their lives more. They also argue that people should respect the patients’Read MoreShould Euthanasia Be Legalized?971 Words   |  4 Pages Legalization of euthanasia in China Youyou Zhuang English Language Center, University of Victoria Youyou Zhuang, a student in English language center of University of Victoria. zhuangyoyo@gmail.com Legalization of euthanasia in China The hospital is a place where to cure the sickness and to save the patients. Have you ever thought a kind of â€Å"killing† could happen in the hospital? It is the â€Å"mercy killing†, also called euthanasia. Till now, euthanasia is legal in Netherlands, BelgiumRead MoreShould Euthanasia Be Legalized?1413 Words   |  6 Pagesstatement: euthanasia should be legalized. There exist numerous topics that are controversial within the criminal justice system. Euthanasia, the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relive pain and suffering, is one that has been around for a long time. Many people believe that it should continue being illegal due to certain moral values. However, some people argue that euthanasia should be decriminalized because people should have the right to die when they want to. Euthanasia hasRead MoreShould Euthanasia Be Legalized?907 Words   |  4 Pagesactive euthanasia, which is a highly contentious issue in the United States. Voluntary active euthanasia is currently illegal in the United States. However, I believe that patients with terminal illnesses experiencing a lot of pain and misery should have the right to die the way they choose, with dignity, instead of being subjected to agony. People should be able to choose voluntary active euthanasia, if ever need be, which is why I believe that despite current policy, voluntary active euthanasia shouldRead MoreShould Euthanasia Be Legalized?1050 Words   |  5 Pagesend quickly, but knew it was not going to happen. If euthanasia and/or assisted suicide was legalized, perhaps his wish could have been true. Unfortunately, euthanasia is only legal in the states of Oregon and Washington at the current time. Euthanasia is considered immoral and wrong for contradicting a doctor’s job. However, it save s families the horrible sight of their loved ones dying, safeguards being up to protect any abuse towards euthanasia, and ultimate choice of being euthanized is upon theRead MoreShould Euthanasia Be Legalized?1272 Words   |  6 Pagesthe natural body is able to heal itself and grow. Not only is it human nature to survive and prosper, it is also instinct to be frightened of death and suffering. Euthanasia has been a topic of debate ever since the Roman and Greek physicians have started to poison terminally ill patients with their consent. Today’s definition of euthanasia is â€Å"the act or practice of killing or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured individuals (as persons or domestic animals) in a relatively painless wayRead MoreShould Euthanasia Be Legalized?1220 Words   |  5 Pagesincurable patients, it is rarely known that Euthanasia, a termination of one’s life with his/her self-willingness, is a release of permanent pain. On the other hand, it is committed by the doctors. Among Voluntary, non-voluntary and involuntary Euthanasia, only is Voluntary Euthanasia being universally concerned by human beings. Various fascinating facts, Australia has already approved this act and many people from other countries have also committed Euthanasia. Regarding this topic, people have beenRead MoreShould Euthanasia Be Legalized?1210 Words   |  5 Pagesconcerns is dying with dignity and not left to suffer a long and drawn out death. Euthanasia, also known as mercy killing, is a sensitive and very controversial subject. Several people believe, doctors should not participate in any action that ends a person’s life due to the Hippocratic Oath stating that doctors are obligated to save lives. Although, euthanasia is considered to be immoral and even murder, it should be legalized when a person’s quality of life, due to an incurable illness, is gradually goingRead MoreShould Euthanasia Be Legalized?1490 Words   |  6 Pagesj ust like you are in pain. What would you do? Euthanasia is and act where a person assist the death of other person and relieves him/her from pain. It is also called as mercy killing. It is controversial because, some may thing it is immoral and some may think it is against their religious values. But, the fact is, the person who suffers with pain knows the pain better than anybody. It is the person’s decision to make. Euthanasia should be legalized with the involvements of legal documents based

War Pigs free essay sample

A big way that these anta-feelings were expressed were through the sound of music, from notable artists and bands such as The Battles, Bob Dylan, ND Pete Stagger. The Vietnam War era of the mid and late uses to the early to mid asss is filled with songs that speak of Just how much people wanted the troops to come back home and how much they were against it. One song that really caught my eye was War Pigs by Black Sabbath.It Is a hard metal song that is widely considered one of the greatest heavy metal songs of all time and features one of the greatest guitar solos of all time. Its not a genre of music of which I linked to anti-war, or one hat I really enjoyed before, but It was a nice change of pace where I found very meaningful lyrics to go along with some skillful guitar, and the fact that Oozy Osborne was singing was the icing on the cake. We will write a custom essay sample on War Pigs or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Going back to the music at the time period; people loved and agreed with all the anti-war media that was going on, after finally being able to see and hear the truth of the war right In their own living rooms watching the news, as reporters were actually being shipped off into the war and getting their video and news feed straight from he source, the people back home could no longer be lied to by the government of how they were winning when in reality they really werent. The can most notably be seen by the gathering at Woodstock In 1969.Woodstock was a music festival that took place over the three day period of August 15 to August 18, and It was built around the idea of peace and music, where many anti-war artists and bands played their songs that expressed their feelings toward the war. It was headlined by guitarist Jim Hendrix and featured 31 other acts that include The Who, Country Joe and the Fish, and Santa to name a few, but was declined by other notorious acts such as The Batt les, Led Zeppelin, and Bob Dylan.Woodstock was the place of about half-a-million people that gathered to hear their favorite artists and bands have their songs be played, and turned out to be one of the most pivotal moments in rock history, as it was much more successful than as originally thought out to be As far as War Pigs, the asss song is built around the idea that the rich politicians and rich people start wars for their benefit and have the poorer people go out into the battlefields and have them die for their behalf, that war is merely a tool for the richer people so that they may be able to get more wealth and power and that the soldiers are pawns In the process.This can be confirmed by a statement made by their bass guitarist Geezer Butler, how the song was directly intended at the Vietnamese War for that act reason, although vocalist Oozy Osborne says that the song was Just an anti- war song In general. By looking over the lyrics you can see how theyre feeling, for exampl e politicians hide themselves away, they only start the war, why should they fight? They leave that role for the poor directly relates to the main idea of the song, 1 OFF death and hatred to mankind which talks about how in the battlefields people are dying left and right as the war continues, and these are friends and family members to people back home, so obviously they would want them back.