8A Vlog - Emily, Kylie, Annapoorna, Serafina

Background Information

Marriage in the 19th and 20th centuries was more about money and power than anything else. People switched wives and husbands in order to gain a higher rank or position. Royal only wanted to marry Mattie for her father’s land-to gain position and become richer. Chester Gillette and Grace Brown worked together in Cortland skirt factory in New York that was owned by Chester’s Uncle. That’s how they met. In this case, Chester Gillette killed for power and position. After Grace Brown got pregnant, he was worried that people would find out the astonishing truth about him having a child before he got married. He was concerned that pregnant Grace would ruin his reputation and social status. Grace begged him to elope with her so that she wouldn’t ruin her family’s reputation and forever taint her good family’s name. But Chester was a total player. He had lots of other girlfriends, and he wanted to marry someone who would be profitable and make him rich and popular. If he didn’t marry Grace, she would have the baby, and he would be announced as the father, which would ruin his social status. But if he married Grace, he would not have the money and power that he wanted to gain through marriage. The only choice in his greedy twisted mind was to kill Grace so that she couldn’t have the baby. Killing his problem seemed like a fine and dandy answer to his issue. Unfortunately, that’s not the only issue he had. He hatched a master plan; he would hit her in the head with a tennis racket-and then he would push her in the lake!!!

Unfortunately for him, the foolproof plan didn’t really work out… When the media found out about the murder- the were really surprised-Who in their right mind would kill a pregnant women??? Chester Gillette, that’s who.

Headlines read “Organization formed to lynch Gillette.” There are various books, movies, plays and songs written about this story. There is a very popular book called “An American Tragedy” and “Entreating” and “The Ballad of Big Moose Lake” are some of the songs written about this.

Images

Blog Highlights

Chester Gillette and Grace Brown Love Letters:

The so-called "love letters" that were exchanged by Chester and Grace in 1905 and 1906 were used at the trial by both the prosecution and the defense. Grace wrote most of them during the time she was home in South Otselic, when she was pregnant and waiting for Chester to come and take her on their trip together. Chester’s letters back were short and less dramatic.

After Chester was found, they had a infamous trial of the century. During the trial, the Ward read the letters in such a dramatic way during the trial that reporters claimed that every eye in the room was wet and they did much to paint exactly the picture of her that he wanted: the pleading pregnant girlfriend who wants to get married. However, the letters never mention pregnancy or even marriage. They do mention suicide and were used by the defense to back up Chester’s story that she committed suicide.

Mattie and Royal

Mattie seems to not believe that Royal and her are "sparking" or at least she doesn't seem like it is reality. She thinks that kisses from boys like Royal are for girls like Martha Miller.

She knows that he doesn't really love her, but many marriages were based on anything but love. People used to marry for power or wealth (and probably still do in many places). Mr. Loomis, Royal, and Chester are all similar in a way because they all seem to be taking advantage of the women they are romantically involved with. Maybe the author was trying to illustrate the nature of relationships between men and women in this time period...

Connections between Grace Brown and Mattie

They both had fiancés that they knew did not really love them. Also, they both kept trying to convince themselves that their fiancés really did love them, when they didn’t love them at all for who they really were. The difference between the two was that Mattie never let go of her dream of attending college and she lived to go. Grace Brown on the other hand gave up hope after she knew Chester was cheating on her

Discussion Anecdotes

What were the big differences between gender in the 1900’s and now?

We think that in present day women are free to get an education instead of marrying young, and they can also have a career and a family.  Women have more freedom overall.

Is there a similarity between Chester and Royal, and Grace and Mattie?

Chester and Royal are self-centered and alike because they are both using women to get what they want even though they don’t truly love them. Grace and Mattie are alike because they love their boyfriends even though Royal and Chester don’t love them. Both girls expect commitment and love from their boyfriends.

What do you think about royal’s proposal and his reasons?

In this time, love wasn't always the main reason for marriage, so in some ways, Royal's reasons could have been expected. Royal didn’t really get to know Mattie or her interests.  He just saw the things that were on the surface, therefore they didn’t really connect as people.

What’s your opinion on promises and what is the basis they should be made on?

We think people should make promises that they can be certain that they can keep, and that people should not commit to making promises in the un-foreseeable future because the course of events that take place could possibly change the basis on which the promise was made. Promises are important things that people will hold you to and you should think about it before you agree to the promise.

What is your definition of (your) voice?

I think your voice is what is “inside” and outside you. Your voice makes up your opinions/ what you believe. I think your voice is like your view on things/opinion.  It’s what defines you overall as a person or what makes you unique.  

Quotes

(p. 37) “’Look around at yourself Mathilda,’ she said.  ‘At the trees and the lakes and the mountains.  At the magnificence of nature.  It should inspire joy and awe.  Reverence.  Respect.  Beautiful thoughts a fine words’”

·      Mattie is expected to write about happy things even though she doesn’t always see the happiness in them

·      She wants to write about the truth, she wants to write about her view on things

·      Her teacher believes that thinking happy thoughts will make things seem more delightful

(p. 109) “’ There goes Emily Wilcox,’ she said, watching my teacher walk by.  ‘Thinks quite a lot of herself, that one.  She’ll never find herself a husband.  No one likes a too-smart woman’”

·      Highlights female expectations

·      Highlights gender stereotypes

-Finding a husband was seemed to be expected to be a priority

-Women weren’t expected to be confident and intelligent

(p. 208) “Jeezum…What if God was a woman?  Would the pope be out of the job?  Would the president be a woman, too?  And the governor?  And the sheriff?  And when people got married, would the man have to honor and obey?  Would only women be allowed to vote?”

·      What if gender roles were reversed?

·      Gender stereotypes are so enforced that certain roles in society are mainly fulfilled by men

(p. 221) “It’s not illegal for a husband to destroy his wife’s home…”

·      Example of married woman who pursues a career

·      Women who try to get married and have careers are sometimes pressured to quit their careers in order to tend to their families

(p. 274) “I knew then why they didn’t marry.  Emily and Jane and Louisa.  I knew and it scared me.  I also knew what being lonely was and I didn’t want to be lonely my whole life.  I didn’t want to give up my words.  I didn’t want to choose one over the other”

·      Men could have kids AND pursue careers

·      Married women are expected to fulfill their domestic responsibilities

·      Mattie struggles deciding if she should marry or choose to pursue a career

(p. 298) “’Royal, do you…do you love me?’  ‘Aw, Matt.  I bought you a ring didn’t I?’”

·      Royal didn’t propose because of love; he proposed for convenience

·      Mattie feels she must take what is offered, which is Royal