Today in class it was suggested that perhaps Joe Christmas declined Mrs. McEachern's offering, because he was resentful. Throughout his entire stay with the McEacherns, not once did Mrs. McEachern stop her husband from beating him or comfort him after he was beaten. Did we ever take into consideration as to why she never did anything about this crisis? Maybe we should take things into Mrs. McEachern's perspective. Light in August takes place during the 1920's. A quick history lesson, “After women got the vote in 1920, interest in politics and reform generally declined among women. The 'new women' of the pre-WW1 era, who had been interested in education, careers, and social reform, were seen as somewhat old-fashioned by the new generation of young women, who were more interested in enjoying themselves.” The new generation of young woman only had one thing on their minds... TO HAVE FUN! About 10 percent of women were in the workforce.
Although most single women worked for a living, work was generally seen as something that would be given up on marriage. “I pay our women well so they can dress attractively and get married” said Henry Ford. Staying single to follow a career was no longer seen as an appealing prospect.”
My point is what if the reason Mrs. McEachern never stopped her husband from hurting a child was because she didn't want to upset Mr. McEachern. What if she did disagreed with her husband, was she afraid he'll kick her out into the streets? How would she support herself if Mr. McEachern did? Her main priority was to keep her man satisfied, even if it does go her own beliefs.
I sense she did have sympathy for Joe from this quote,
“I know what you think. It ain’t that. He never told me to bring it to you. It was me that thought to do it. He don’t know. It ain’t any food he sent you.” (Faulkner, p. 65).
...But this is just my opinion? Do you think Mrs. McEachern never did anything because she was afraid of what her husband would do to her if she spoke up (could their marriage have involved some sort of domestic violence) ? Or do you think it might have something to do with their religious/ and or parental beliefs?
It is possibly that Mrs. McEachern did not do anything because she was afraid of him. I also think that he may have also been abusing her as well. If he did it to Christmas, I don't see a reason why he wouldn't do it to her if he did it to their adopted son. There is also the possibility that setting may have played a role. Since at the time women did not have a voice, she may have felt as if she was helpless and could not speak her mind.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking the same thing! If Mr. McEachern was capable of hurting a young boy, what makes you think he won't hold back when it's a woman.
DeleteI agree that Mrs. McEachern probably felt fear and hopelessness when faced with her husband. Women were faced with insurmountable subjugation and restriction as a result of the time period. I'm sure Mrs. McEachern understood the futility in any resistance, especially since her husband was a devoutly religious man, which consequently means that he held no progressive views regarding women, since after all "men are the head of the household" in most religious people's minds at that time. I would have to commend Mrs. McEachern for still trying to save Joe by lying for him, even knowing that she would suffer. However, I'm sure she still fears for her well being as a result of her justified defiance.
DeleteI definitely think Mrs. McEachern is scared of her husband. She knows a single woman is not ranked high in society, so keeping her husband pleased is her future.
ReplyDeleteWow. I never thought about this before. And thanks for your brief history lesson about the women in 1920. I think it's because of the social standings of women being low and having to submit to their men after marriage. Mrs.McEachern does not want to disobey her husband for she will be probably be abused and be thrown into the streets. She is probably heartbroken upon seeing Joe being beaten up, but not speaking out for him. There is probably guilt in her and she shows kindness towards Joe, which he does't accept.
ReplyDeleteThere may be some correlation as to why Mrs. McEachern did nothing when her husband was beating their son. The setting of the novel was when women stood very low and it was all about work and being a housewife, miding their own business. Mrs. McEachern does not do anything because she is most definetly afraid of her husband. Also in a sense, is heart-stricken for the way that Joe is being treated.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all of you, Mrs. McEachern was definitely scared of her husband because if she wasn't, she would have done something to prevent the beating. Women in this time didn't have the right to disobey their husbands because it was not only seen as immoral, but also seen as something that is punishable. All in all, I really think that she was scared and she just wanted to prevent a dispute with her husband which would bring horrible consequences upon her. Nice history lesson.
ReplyDeleteI feel that Mrs. Eachern was afraid of her husband because she didn't want to upset him by going against what he believes is right. I'd be afraid if i were in her position but is it okay to keep quiet about an issue you feel strongly about?
ReplyDeleteI agree with the comments above that state that Mrs.McEachern was most likely afraid of her husband. If he beat Joe, what was to stop him from beating his wife? Although, I think there were times in chapter 7 that showed Mrs.McEachern attempted to comfort Joe even though it was not explicitly conveyed. (ie: Bringing Joe food.)
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ReplyDeleteI do not think she was scared but more of a habit she has come accustomed to. Knowing anything she says or does won't be even considered because of the single fact that she is a lady. Ladies at this time were looked at as baby carriers or cooks.
ReplyDeleteWoah! I never thought of it as a habit for her as opposed to her being afraid. This is a good thought.
DeleteI completely agree, I had not thought about it that way, and it makes perfect sense!
DeleteYou have a good point there. I never saw it that way, until you pointed it out.
DeleteThis actually makes everything a lot clear. She did seem to have no voice throughout most of the chapter but when she did it was still quiet. I do believe she was afraid of her husband and that's the reason why she never stood up to him. The short history lesson shown even backs up this theory. Her husband could have beaten her and thrown her out of her own home. She instead of doing anything that would led to these consequences she'd stayed quiet.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Gisselle on the fact that she became accustomed to the violence between her husband and Joe. Maybe in the beginning when it first started she was scared to stand up for Joe because of how women were viewed in that time period. But, i believe that she just got used to seeing that happen that she did not even bother to try and help Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's fair to say that Mrs. McEachern never tried to help. She lied for Joe and in turn got beat. "She had always tried to be kind to him, from that first December evening twelve years ago" (p. 165). Perhaps in the beginning she never directly tried to prevent the beatings but she did try to comfort Joe and give him affection. He pushed her away or ignored her every time. I think that at some point people stop trying. They get tired of being pushed away and ultimately just stop. But this isn't the case with Mrs. McEachern. Despite the way Joe treated her she still tried in some way to defend him.
ReplyDeleteI believe that she was afraid of her husband and that that fear was the reason she never got the courage to speak up because maybe she was worried that she would be next.
ReplyDeleteI think may be she didn't stop her husband because she is afraid of him. She knows that he is the head of the house and what he does goes.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this completely because of the war women were looked down upon compared to men the man was the provider of the family and the women had to do everything in their power to please them so this makes sense to why mrs mceachern didn't stand up for joe she had the good intentions and she wanted to try and protect joe but she could never do anything to displease her husband.
ReplyDelete-Alexandra Perez
Right but...didn't she try to stop Mr.McEachern? Isn't that the whole argument Joe overheard at the end of the chapter?
ReplyDeleteI wrote this before reading the ending of chapter 7.
DeleteI really like how you were able to incorporate that passage into your statement because it did help me change my view on her. Maybe she was scared that if she somehow humilated or went against her husband, he would take it as a threat against him.
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