female literacy

Female literacy was mentioned as a major historical event on the Chronology of American Literary History handout under the dates for 1820-1850. It was significant because it gave rise to the participation of women in education and the establishment of women’s colleges. The rise of literacy integrated women into the literary field because, literate women were able to write and be educated. It caused them to write educational manuals, housewife manuals, and novels. It also caused women to become teachers and spread their wisdom to the future generation of women. Literacy also meant that women were able to sign their names; this gave them a voice and an identity. The main idea of increasing female literacy was that it established a female audience among readers. The upper class was likely to be consumers of literature; so they would buy and read books.

Alene Tchekmedyian