Week 5, Column 5
Anna Quindlen: Mary Todd Lincoln's Tragic Story
Anna Quindlen presents an article focusing on Mary Lincoln's life in relation to Catholicism and women's societal roles since the 19th century. Her article initially relates to Catholic schoolgirls and/or Catholic school alumni when she reminisces having to read "Lives of the Saints" but preferring famous women's biographies (paragraph 1). This implies that like in many other school settings they learned more about males within society, specifically religion in this case, than females. She continues, expressing her search of "a possibility of a future that did not include an apron" (1). These two ideas continue throughout the column as she gives more examples using Mary Lincoln's life as a template. Her target audience appears to call out not only to women but anyone that disagrees with societal customs and laws that presided over the 18th century, (some continue to apply today). Quindlen, inexplicably points out this woman's life as tragic because her potential soared higher than her actual accomplishments, due to society's boundaries during the time. This lesson speaks to today's "smart, educated , and politically engaged" women (3). It serves as a call to action that these women will appreciate. More specifically, Catholic women that are unhappy with the current system refusing to ordain women into the Church and wish for greater equality especially relate due to the anecdotes Quindlen loves to include. This particular piece calls out to a specific audience, but relates to many different type of women who wish to utilize their unique abilities and talents.