Blog #6
Fanny Fern
I have to say, the first time reading through Fern's sketches, I initially thought that this was a woman scorned and one who had it out for the male race. Maybe it was her second marriage to Samuel Farrington that did her in, but she really has a way of sticking it to men. The more I think about it though, I think she just might have our number fellas!
Times were much different then and women were viewed completely different, as far as their roles in society and the home go. Granted, Fanny was writing in a totally different world than ours today, but I believe many of her examples of men hold true to this day. Such examples can be found in Aunt Hetty on Matrimony. After reading this piece, one thing in particular that caught my attention was her note about the husband leaving the house and apologizing at the same time for not doing some errand he was supposed to do the day before. I had a good laugh with my wife after sharing this with her, because I have to admit that I am guilty of doing the exact same thing. One of my favorite sayings to the wife when it comes to doing things around the house is, "in just a minute." Of course a minute turns in to hours and even days in some cases, but hey, we eventually get the job done right guys? Something else in her story that is similar to my case, and many other couples I'm sure, is her example of the wife having to deal with the children at home all day and feeling crazy for it. While this is one thing that is less and less common these days, there are still plenty of stay-at-home mothers who take care of the house and children. As a father of two children, one and four years old, I can tell you right now that this is every bit, and more in some cases, of a full time job. There have been several times when the kids are fussy or running wild through the house and I welcome the opportunity to go to work! Fern might be just a little cynical though in her assessment about love being a farce and marriage not being all it's cracked up to be. There is no doubt that marriage is hard work, but there is also no doubt in my mind that two people who truly love each other can live their entire lives happy together.
One final thing that I believe Fern does well in pegging men, is her depiction of them in Hungry Husbands. I don't know about the rest of the men out there, but I sure do love food! Not only to I love to eat it, but I love to talk about it with other people as well. Fern makes mention of this in telling about how men are more pleasant when they are discussing food. Unfortunately, I believe she is right again when she talks about how savage men can be when they are indeed hungry. I can tell you from personal experience, that if I go too long without eating, I become very grumpy. So much so in some cases, I don't want to even talk to anyone until I get some food in me. Hunger can be a very powerful thing, as it has driven, not only men, but people in general to do some crazy things. Using hunger to subdue your men though ladies, that's just flat out cruel. Of course, you do have to cook on a regular basis for this to work, so for all you ladies out there who prefer to order out, better luck next time!
I have to say, the first time reading through Fern's sketches, I initially thought that this was a woman scorned and one who had it out for the male race. Maybe it was her second marriage to Samuel Farrington that did her in, but she really has a way of sticking it to men. The more I think about it though, I think she just might have our number fellas!
Times were much different then and women were viewed completely different, as far as their roles in society and the home go. Granted, Fanny was writing in a totally different world than ours today, but I believe many of her examples of men hold true to this day. Such examples can be found in Aunt Hetty on Matrimony. After reading this piece, one thing in particular that caught my attention was her note about the husband leaving the house and apologizing at the same time for not doing some errand he was supposed to do the day before. I had a good laugh with my wife after sharing this with her, because I have to admit that I am guilty of doing the exact same thing. One of my favorite sayings to the wife when it comes to doing things around the house is, "in just a minute." Of course a minute turns in to hours and even days in some cases, but hey, we eventually get the job done right guys? Something else in her story that is similar to my case, and many other couples I'm sure, is her example of the wife having to deal with the children at home all day and feeling crazy for it. While this is one thing that is less and less common these days, there are still plenty of stay-at-home mothers who take care of the house and children. As a father of two children, one and four years old, I can tell you right now that this is every bit, and more in some cases, of a full time job. There have been several times when the kids are fussy or running wild through the house and I welcome the opportunity to go to work! Fern might be just a little cynical though in her assessment about love being a farce and marriage not being all it's cracked up to be. There is no doubt that marriage is hard work, but there is also no doubt in my mind that two people who truly love each other can live their entire lives happy together. 
One final thing that I believe Fern does well in pegging men, is her depiction of them in Hungry Husbands. I don't know about the rest of the men out there, but I sure do love food! Not only to I love to eat it, but I love to talk about it with other people as well. Fern makes mention of this in telling about how men are more pleasant when they are discussing food. Unfortunately, I believe she is right again when she talks about how savage men can be when they are indeed hungry. I can tell you from personal experience, that if I go too long without eating, I become very grumpy. So much so in some cases, I don't want to even talk to anyone until I get some food in me. Hunger can be a very powerful thing, as it has driven, not only men, but people in general to do some crazy things. Using hunger to subdue your men though ladies, that's just flat out cruel. Of course, you do have to cook on a regular basis for this to work, so for all you ladies out there who prefer to order out, better luck next time!
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