Throughout the 17th century, Puritans left England to discover a sense of independence and self-governance in North America. However, this new freedom was built under a patriarchal authority that expected obedience from society and, particularly, women. Catherine Maria Sedgwick, in Hope Leslie, explores this feeling of American independence through Hope Leslie, a free spirited girl who often rejects the characteristics of her upbringings, by putting her in tension with her Puritan community and, especially, Esther Downing, her obedient friend who would not dare go beyond authority. Hope is, at one point, compared to a bird and willing to help Magawisca and Nelema, while Esther is set in the submissive role she plays in society. Although Hope
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She writes, “and like the bird that spreads his wings and soars above the limits by which each man fences in his narrow domain, she enjoyed the capacities of her nature, and permitted her mind to expand beyond the contracted boundaries of secretarian faith” (123). Besides acting with obedience, an aspect of Puritan life for women seemed to be even thinking within the strict boundaries. Hope breaks out of the “narrow domain” set in both actions and thoughts. Comparing her to a bird that, “soars above the limits” expresses the American ideal of independence because like a bird, Hope is not held captive by herself or her community. A bird is able to go wherever in the world because it is not held down and Hope’s sense of freedom is as inherent as flying is for a bird. Also, an eagle is a nationally recognized sign of freedom within America, so for Hope to be compared to something in the same class says that her independence is already looking forward into the future rather than living in the present ideal of women’s obedience. In every sense of her lifestyle, Hope is considered rebellious in terms of the Puritan expectations, which meant that she was not in line with the standards upheld by women like Mrs. Winthrop and especially, Esther
She writes, “and like the bird that spreads his wings and soars above the limits by which each man fences in his narrow domain, she enjoyed the capacities of her nature, and permitted her mind to expand beyond the contracted boundaries of secretarian faith” (123). Besides acting with obedience, an aspect of Puritan life for women seemed to be even thinking within the strict boundaries. Hope breaks out of the “narrow domain” set in both actions and thoughts. Comparing her to a bird that, “soars above the limits” expresses the American ideal of independence because like a bird, Hope is not held captive by herself or her community. A bird is able to go wherever in the world because it is not held down and Hope’s sense of freedom is as inherent as flying is for a bird. Also, an eagle is a nationally recognized sign of freedom within America, so for Hope to be compared to something in the same class says that her independence is already looking forward into the future rather than living in the present ideal of women’s obedience. In every sense of her lifestyle, Hope is considered rebellious in terms of the Puritan expectations, which meant that she was not in line with the standards upheld by women like Mrs. Winthrop and especially, Esther