Introduction to Literature

The Changing Roles of Men and Women in the United States from 1894 until now ttp://cdn.buzznet.com/media-cdn/jj1/headlines/2009/01/brad-pitt-sag-awards-2009.jpg

What happened in the US(South) in the 19 th century? the Civil War Reconstruction Era The 1890’s The Gilded Age

The postbellum era was a time of development and expansion. Completion of a Transcontinental Railroad (1869) Alexander Graham Bell’s invention of telephone (AT&T) Thomas Edison’s invention of light bulb (GE) Inventions and developments Between 1870 and 1910, some 16 million immigrants flooded into the US. Many of these “new” Americans helped to shape the new America—“melting pot” Immigration John D. Rockefeller—the world’s richest man Andrew Carnegie—the world’s second wealthiest man Cornelius Vanderbilt—the world’s third wealthiest man; became wealthy through shipping and railroads. Side effects—monopoly, widening of the rich-poor gap Successful businessmen More about the Postbellum Era

There were opulent homes...

And modest or poor homes and living conditions Shotgun Style Home Tenement Home( 다세대주택 )

Women’s Status during the 19 th century  African American men received the right to vote with the passage of the 15 th Amendment in  Women received the right to vote with the passage of the 19 th Amendment in  Women’s social status was defined by the men they lived with. (father  husband  son)

Women’s Place during the 19 th century  Property rights laws for married women had not been passed in all states in the United States as of  Ownership of women’s property was transferred to their husbands upon marriage.  Divorce carried social stigma and property reverted to the husband.

Kate Chopin February 8, 1850 – August 22, 1904

Brief Biography of Kate Chopin  Born Catherine O’ Flaherty in St. Louis, Missouri to a wealthy family in  Married cotton trader, Oscar Chopin, a successful businessman, in  Gave birth to five sons and a daughter between 1871 and  Oscar died of malaria in  She started to write after her husband’s death—published a number of short stories in various magazines.

More about Kate Chopin  She was an independent, intelligent, and unconventional woman, all of which her husband, Oscar, adored.  She used her literature to bring women’s issues, racial disparity, and social inequalities to light.  In her famous novel, The Awakening(1899), she dealt with such topics as passion, infidelity, and was sexually open, which created a controversy.  The book was denied publication by the publishers, and she was shunned by her colleague writers.