Abigail's Views on Separate Spheres
This diagram shows how separate spheres work.
Abigail Adams had extreme views on the ideas of separate spheres, the role of gender throughout society, and power which she shows throughout her actions and words.
Separate Spheres
Role of Gender Throughout Society
Power
- The ideas frustrated Abigail because men had such a large role in politics leaving women with little to no role in politics.
- Abigail found her own way into politics by telling John what she thought about many different issues such as women's role in politics.
Role of Gender Throughout Society
- Abigail wanted John to make the new Code of Laws that he was going to make be more "generous and favorable"(Bober, 71) to the ladies than previous laws had been.
- This shows that Abigail thought that women should be more involved in society.
Power
- Abigail feared power and believed that it could be abused no matter the person who was taking charge of it.
- She stated that "the great fish swallowed up the small,"(Women's Letters, 29)
- She meant that people who had more power overlooked people who had less power and made impulsive decisions based on what they wanted.
- Abigail feared that John may gain too much power and use it impulsively.