In Catharine Maria Sedgwick’s Hope Leslie, the use of gender, race, and religion play a significant role in addressing the oppression faced by women and Native Americans throughout Seventeenth century New England. Sedgwick was one of the first authors to publish a fictional novel supporting the idea of gender equality and religious tolerance. Her characters Hope Leslie, a young woman from the Massachusetts Bay Colonies, and Magawisca, a member of the neighboring Pequod tribe, embody these ideals through their various acts of bravery. Using these characters, Sedgwick challenges a women's place in society by looking beyond the physical. Within the context of Puritan New England in the early part of the Seventeenth century, we see religion
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Throughout the duration of the novel, Hope and Magawisca share many fond memories that assist in their maturing as individuals. In many ways, Hope and Magawisca emulate Sedgwick’s own desire to create a place for independent women in society. In Anglo-American culture, most women were confined to very strict gender rules and restrictions. They were seen as physical objects, rather than human beings. In the beginning of the novel, the narrater describes Hope: "She was delicately formed, the high health and uniform habits of a country life had endowed her with the beauty in which poetry has invested in Hebe; while her love for exploring hill and dale, ravine and precipice, had given her that elastic step and ductile grace which belongs to all agile animals" …show more content…
They break away from traditional gender roles, and move beyond the physical through their brave and selfless acts. However, the plot looks beyond surface level beauty and focuses on the various acts of bravery carried out by these women. This ties back to Hope’s attitude that people are more complex than their base attributes or beliefs. As noted earlier, the relationship Magawisca shares with both Hope and Everell is remarkable. After being captured by the Pequod tribe in retaliation for the killing of their people, Magawisca saves Everell’s life: "Magawisca, springing from the precipitous side of the rock, screamed--'Forbear!' and interposed her arm. The blow was leveled the stroke aimed at Everell's neck, severed his defender's arm and left him unharmed" (93). This act is significant to the plot because it portrays Magawisca acting selflessly, risking her own life to save Everell despite her father’s orders. She felt morally compelled to do something and in turn earned a greater sense of respect in the eyes of Everell. The loss of her arm becomes a physical embodiment of the violence between the English and Native
Throughout the duration of the novel, Hope and Magawisca share many fond memories that assist in their maturing as individuals. In many ways, Hope and Magawisca emulate Sedgwick’s own desire to create a place for independent women in society. In Anglo-American culture, most women were confined to very strict gender rules and restrictions. They were seen as physical objects, rather than human beings. In the beginning of the novel, the narrater describes Hope: "She was delicately formed, the high health and uniform habits of a country life had endowed her with the beauty in which poetry has invested in Hebe; while her love for exploring hill and dale, ravine and precipice, had given her that elastic step and ductile grace which belongs to all agile animals" …show more content…
They break away from traditional gender roles, and move beyond the physical through their brave and selfless acts. However, the plot looks beyond surface level beauty and focuses on the various acts of bravery carried out by these women. This ties back to Hope’s attitude that people are more complex than their base attributes or beliefs. As noted earlier, the relationship Magawisca shares with both Hope and Everell is remarkable. After being captured by the Pequod tribe in retaliation for the killing of their people, Magawisca saves Everell’s life: "Magawisca, springing from the precipitous side of the rock, screamed--'Forbear!' and interposed her arm. The blow was leveled the stroke aimed at Everell's neck, severed his defender's arm and left him unharmed" (93). This act is significant to the plot because it portrays Magawisca acting selflessly, risking her own life to save Everell despite her father’s orders. She felt morally compelled to do something and in turn earned a greater sense of respect in the eyes of Everell. The loss of her arm becomes a physical embodiment of the violence between the English and Native