Dinners In Antebellum Society

Along with “visits,” came other types of social gathering that obligated extra hospitable deeds and etiquette from the hosts and guests, such as dinner parties, balls, and even funerals. Men and women, host or guest, were to act “polite without importunity, gallant without being offensive, attentive to the comfort of all; employing a well-regulated kindness, witty at the proper times, discreet, indulgent, generous, he exercises, in his sphere, a high degree of moral authority; he it is, and he alone that one should imitate.” Dinners are a vital aspect of Antebellum society. The Laws of Etiquette refers its readers to a famous quote by Samuel Johnson, commonly called Dr. Johnson, a known poet, essayist, moralist, literary critic, biographer, editor and lexicographer in the 17th century: “The hour of dinner [is said to be] the most important hour of civilized life.” Dinners allowed plantations owners to bring friends, acquaintances and newly-met men and women together to network for various reasons- networking, celebration, and providing …show more content…
Although it would be uncivilized to introduce yourself first to a man or ask a man to dance, it would be obscene to refute an introduction or dance with a gentleman whom the guest has just met. The young female guest’s role is important in order to protect her credibly as a lady and/or debutante. She is to be escorted by another lady, her father or brother, or a gentleman in certain scenarios. In particular, Florence Hartley’s book of etiquette recommends not to be escorted to the supper room without an escort, if she has a male escort, it will be determinative to have more than one man accompany her- or for her to enter more than once into the supper room in general. Consuming more than one serving at a ball can make a lady look like a glutton and lack propriety. In different light, in “The Appetite as a Voice,” Joan Jacobs Brumberg