bluestockings

Fanny Fern provides for a new insight into the idea of women as "blue stockings." Essentially, a blue stocking is a woman writer. Yet, as women writers are often not deemed as being established, they are given forth the label and title of blue stocking. Thus, this idea to many consists of the notion of a household unable to hold together and function properly, as the woman, who should in every essence be performing the domestic duties, is frantically engaging herself in such an activity as writing, which is deemed unproductive, in a society that places high values on women being maternal, nurturing, etc. Yet, as exemplified within the text, Fern provides such an example in which the ideal of a blue stocking woman prevails over such pessimistic and down cast opinions of others. Indeed, the blue stocking woman is able to establish herself as a creative, artistic and intellectual woman, as well as a domestic character, who too can perform household chores, but also make a life/living for herself and her family outside that of the home roles.
Susan Tran