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Running head:ROLE OF WOMEN IN THE SOCIETY
Roleof Women in the Society
RolesWomen should Play in the Society
Twowomen, Matilda Stone, and Marie William, of the 18th century anddifferent races (black and white) are engaged in a conversation. Oneof the women is a slave, and the other is her master. Despite thedisparity in their social classes, they have grown to appreciate eachothers company. It is for certain that they have developed afriendship bond. In their daily engagements they share a lot ofopinions and on this particular day, they are frenziedly submerged ina discourse concerning the role of women in their era (Staves, Fritz,& Morton, 1981).
Thelife of Matilda Stone
MatildaStone was born in 1832 in the region of Virginia, USA. She was raisedby slave parents who worked at a farm that belonged to George Foy.Her father was a respectable man among the slaves that worked inGeorge Foy’s farm and beyond. He was a Christian preacher whoexpressed his faith actively regardless of the constant intimidationand criticism he faced. Unfortunately, this was to cause his death,leaving his family so young and vulnerable.
Uponhis sudden demise, his eldest daughter Matilda was sold off to SirWilliam’s family in Georgia. Matilda’s childhood was cut short ather parents` side, for she spent her entire life in Georgia. She wasto learn everything about life in Georgia. As a little girl, sheworked as a maid in the main house serving, cooking, and cleaning.
Matildaattained no formal education because it was at that time when a slavewas murdered for knowing how to read and write. However, back in thedays while at her parents` house, her father taught her the twoessentials of education, reading and writing. She knew so well thatif it was discovered that a slave girl read and wrote then it wascertainly capital punishment. So she kept it to herself.
AtGeorgia, she met young Marie, the beautiful daughter of Sir William,who would become her confidant. Matilda was the servant who wasprotected by her owners not to allow any harm to befall her. Matildaand Marie grew fond of each other and were inseparable. In the adulthood, Matilda continued to serve the William’s family. It is inthis life that she bred her courage and boldness, which was to beinstrumental to a revolutionary group, fighting to set the slavesfree.
Thelife of Marie William
MarieWilliam was born in 1834 in an Irish town in Europe. At the age offive, her parents relocated to the USA. Sir William, her father, wasa renowned farmer. His only interest in slaves was to have them workhis large tracts of land. Marie’s mother is said to have been theone who had a huge influence on what she would become in heradulthood. Her mother was a generous woman who ran a clinic to treatthe sick, and persons who had different ailments found life at herhands.
Mariewas sent to Oxford University to study law. After completion of herstudies, she came back to join the fight against slavery in theAmericas. It is this course that further intensified her bond withMatilda. She had acceded to a fight that would eventually grantfreedom to her dear friend.
Eventhough against her father’s will and threat for banishment, shestill married Jeff Clint the half cast son of Miss Johnson. Sheemerged of strong repute in the region of Georgia, due to her strongwill for fair treatment among the blacks and whites. The blacksespecially could not hide their love for Mrs. Marie Clint.
Shewas elected the first female mayor of Georgia at the age of 67. Herachievements are recorded in the books of history and her declarationfor fairness and equality still hold the town of Georgia in theposition to date.
(Matildaapproaches the shade to serve Marie and her parents breakfast. Thefamily is involved in a heated talk over what will happen when theslaves gain their freedom. Marie’s Uncle John, who is anillustrious sadist, proclaims he won`t allow the death of slavery.Immediately, Marie excuses herself and invites Matilda to join her.)
MATILDA:Your uncle is one of a kind.
MARIE:Don’t mind him. Who doesn’t know about his ways? Yesterday, Mr.Raph was found seriously beaten and wounded in his farm. If it werenot for my mother’s intervention, Mr. Raph would be long gone bynow.
MATILDA:Gone where Marie?
MARIE:Of course, I mean he would be dead.
MATILDA:God forbid!! Mr. Raph is the most peaceful person I have ever known.And that is not to say I haven’t met another.
MARIE:And who’s the other one?
MATILDA:My mother and you of course.
MARIE:By the way Mat, I asked my father for permission to marry Jeff, andas soon as he heard my solemn request, I tell you, I thought I wasdead meat. I could see he wanted to hit me, but remembered am hislittle girl. I am worried he might do something sinister to Jeff. AndI love him so much.
MATILDA:I told you not to get involved with that handsome man. He ishandsome, right?
MARIE:What can I say? I love him and him.….?
MATILDA:Please Marie, let me go and finish my morning chores. I am theservant here. You know I suspect your father knows that I have beenvisiting Jeff on your behalf. You do not want to imagine what willhappen to me, your friend. Yesterday he called me to his study roomand just looked at me fiercely then commanded me to vacate hispresence.
MARIE:One-day things will change my friend, your position will not just bein the kitchen. You will demand and command as them men. You willalso choose for yourself who to marry.
MATILDA:Your reassurance is comforting. But a woman’s place is always inthe kitchen and bringing forth children. If I could see through youreyes for once, I believe that is the day I’d see my end. See youlater Marie Clint, hahaha a.
MARIE:My social status may be different from yours now, but I perceive abright future. I foresee the world where women will be equal to menand all races equal. Where none shall be a master of the other. And Iwill make my contribution Mat. I hope together we shall pursue thatcourse.
(theyseparately go their ways to attend to their roles)
References
Staves,S., Fritz, P., & Morton, R. (1981). Women in the 18th Century andOther Essays. TheModern Language Review,76(4),933. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/3727210