The Plantation Mistress

A detailed Summary of The Plantation Mistress

The Plantation Mistress is written by Catherine Clinton. Her purpose of writing is to inform readers the chaotic lives of the white female gender in the slave society before the Civil War. Clinton goes into specific detail describing the situations that southern women endured every day. She collected memoirs and diaries of actual planter wives and daughters. These confessions magnify the reality of trials and tribulations during a dark time in American History.

Furthermore, there are many specifics that are explicated in The Plantation Mistress. One aspect discussed in detail is the issue of cousin marriage. From an early age, and even when separated geographically, cousins developed close and warm relationships that continued throughout a lifetime. Children were isolated on the plantations and rarely met people of their own age outside their kinship network as they were growing up. Also, the older ladies could only associate themselves with men who were related to them. This confinement of only associating with your blood ties caused an easy escape for intimacy. Cousin marriage also kept the money within the family. The wealth and property remained inside the family alliance.

In addition, this event is important to American History because it shows that proper schooling can make anyone a successful person. Even in today's society, a good education is needed to get ahead in life. Regardless of social status level, a person with a vast knowledge can achieve their goals and expectations. Women are now achieving better jobs than men. It just goes to show that female education has come a long way through history.

Moving on, a person in The Plantation Mistress that is worthy of being an American Hero is Jeroboam Beauchamp. He was a son of a local planter and was married to Ann Cooke. Cooke was the daughter of a Virginia planter and received an excellent and liberal education. Before she was married to Beauchamp, Cooke was in love with Colonel Soloman Sharp, and he had promised to marry Cooke. Instead, she was deserted by him and was left in abandonment. This scorned Cooke for life. Beauchamp was fired both with passion for Ann Cooke and with a desire for revenge upon her seducer. Beauchamp was determined to murder Sharp for the hurt he caused to his wife. He plotted his vengeance and stabbed Sharp to death. Beauchamp tried to explain his actions claiming that upper class men should not take advantage of unfortunate orphan females. It is a great iniquity to shatter the hopes and dreams of a woman. Beauchamp's sincerity to do whatever it takes to avenge a loved one's pain makes him an American Hero.

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Approximate Word count = 1130
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English