The Gender Construction Of Women In Revolutionary By Alex Meyers
Revolutionary by Alex Meyers is a historical fiction story about a brave and powerful woman named Deborah Sampson. Throughout history women have been pushed aside by men who believe women are enable of fighting in wars. Even though this is the case women throughout history have proved to men that they are stronger and more able than most to do the job men are supposed to do. In the revolutionary war, there are maybe a dozen known women including Deborah Sampson who are given glory to their part in the war. Even though there are only about a dozen women that are recognized for what they did, there were probably way more who had a part in America’s victory. This gender construction women have been faced with is something that has been hard for women to overcome even in society today. In Revolutionary, Alex Meyers depicts how women had to hide their identity just to have part in a war that determined their future. He shows throughout his book the gender construction that women faced back then, and it is still a problem in society today.
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Margaret Corbin, Agent 355, Patience Wright are just a few of the women who served in the revolutionary war. These women just like Deborah Sampson were not treated like the heroes they were after the war. Alex Meyers highlights why gender construction is an incorrect philosophy as women throughout history have proven to be as strong and willful as men, have made positive impacts despite being forced to hide their identity, and persevered though they would never be thanked or glorified by those they helped. Margaret Corbin, better known as Molly Pitcher is a famous woman known from the Revolutionary war. Margaret Corbin was a wife of a soldier who traveled with the army and would cook, clean, sew, and do laundry in exchange for food and shelter. While stationed at Fort Washington, New York, the fort was attacked by the British troops. The man operating the cannon was shot and killed, so Corbin’s husband filled in, while Corbin took her husband’s job doing ammunition duties. Then Corbin’s husband was shot and killed, once Corbin noticed her husband she quickly took over cannon duties until she herself was shot in the chest and left arm. She was awarded a stipend of $30, in exchange for her service. Even though this woman was rewarded and praised, she was only awarded and praised because she had to step in to help, because the men were injured (Cathey). This example brings up the problem of gender construction, the issue of gender roles that each gender must stick to the roles they are given. In this case Margaret Corbin was a woman involved with the war to aid her husband by cooking, sewing, and doing jobs women are supposed to do. When the fort was attached and Corbin saw that the men needed help, she jumped in to save the day. If Corbin had tried to help as a woman any other time, she would have been chastised, but because there was not a man around to do the job it was ok that she stepped in that one time. The gender role stereotypes are ridiculous and make it hard for women, because men are supposed to do the hard jobs, while women should stay at home and do the easy things such as cook and clean. Deborah Sampson like many women during the revolutionary war were not able to help because of their gender, but like many women during that time Deborah took matters in her own hands. Deborah wanted so badly to have a part in defeating the red coats that she disguised herself as a man to do her part. In the book, Deborah had to run away from her hometown the only place she knew because she was found out by her people that she had disguised herself as a male to try to fight in the war. Because of the gender construction women have, as weak and delicate she was looked down upon because she wanted to do a man’s job. The people she had known for most of her life were chastising her for wanting to help do a man’s job. Even though this was the case Deborah Sampson persevered and made a long journey as a man, even cutting her hair because she was determined to do her part for America. “Each step dragged as though thick mire clutched at her foot. Still she pressed on, stopping at times to catch her breath and listen, but the night remained silent.” (Meyers 21) This is an excerpt from Revolutionary showing Deborah’s dedication to becoming a soldier. This is after she had to run away from her hometown because she was out casted. Then Deborah changed her name to Robert Shurtleff, reported a British spy, killed many British soldiers during attacks, was injured severely two times, fell in love with a soldier who later was shot to death, becomes the right-hand man for a general, to then be found out as a girl after falling sick. Deborah Sampson was almost not paid her soldier salary because she was a woman, even though she was the best soldier her army had (Meyers). Alex Meyers writes about Deborah Sampson and her struggles, but there are actually other women in the American revolutionary war that fought the same hardships as she did such as Agent 355. Agent 355 was a woman who disguised herself using the name Samuel Culper Sr. so she could fight in the war just as Deborah did. She was a soldier who help uncover American General Benedict Arnold’s plans to betray the Revolution. His plan was to turn over fort West Point over to the British, but Agent 355 saved the day and uncovered his mastermind plans. She was an amazing soldier and continued to do great thing until she was captured by the British, gave birth to a son, Robert Townsend Jr., to then dying on a prisoner ship. To this day no one knows who this brave and intelligent woman was, therefore she goes down in history as Agent 355. McCarthy states in her biography of Agent 355
“Many intelligence historians consider her one of this country’s first female undercover operations officers. Still others refer to her as the “hidden daughter of the American Revolution.” While defending against British transgressions in and around New York, George Washington came to rely heavily on the information she supplied him. But even today, she is known only by the designation “355,” the code-number for “lady” in an encryption system used by the famous Culper Ring.”
This woman, just like Deborah Sampson had to disguise herself as a man to fight in the war. If Agent 355 had not helped during the war, General Benedict Arnold’s plan to help the British could have happened and the war could have been lost from this one British victory. These women did the jobs of men, probably even better than men would have done themselves. If women like Deborah Sampson and Agent 355 had not helped in the war, things could have turned out differently for the Americans. Meyers therefore, has depicted just one of the many problems that women faced during the revolutionary war. In Revolutionary, Deborah Sampson is shown as powerful, brave, independent, strong, willing and adventurous. She does many things a man could not do and she does all of it while trying to portray being a male. After all she does, her identity is found out and even though she was an amazing soldier, her courage is down played and she does not get the recognition she deserves. At the end of her soldier career she is given no salary and is promised to be paid. She then has to go to court because she is not paid the money she was promised because of her gender. She eventually received her money after years of fighting for her rights while Congress tries to take away her advances because she was a girl. Deborah Sampson did have many people on her side, but those that refused to see her as a heroine made her a strong and wiser person. There was another woman by the name of Patience Wright that endured a lot of hatred after she helped soldiers during the Revolutionary war.
Patience was a sculptor and a spy for the American side. She was a born American who traveled to London and became a favorite of many British including the king and queen. After swooning the British she started gathering sensitive information for the Americans and would send it back to American leaders in her wax sculptures. Patience also took the Colonies’ case directly to the king and queen, but after showing too much support for the colonist, the higher ups in London started distancing themselves from her. Then the American leaders started distancing themselves from Patience because they felt like she was stalking them and had a creepy obsession for the men. Whether Patience really wanted to help these men or not she sent a letter to Washington and Thomas Jefferson before she died
stating;
“I most sincerely wish not only to make the likeness of Washington, but of those five gentlemen, who assisted at the signing the treaty of peace, that put an end to so bloody and dreadful a war. The more public the honours bestowed on such men by their country, the better. To shame the English king, I would go to any trouble and expense to add my mite in the stock of honour due to Adams, Jefferson, and others, to send to America.” (Serratore)
She says she wants to use her art of service once more in any way she can. These letters unfortunately did not favor to the men and they never responded to her begging. She died never returning to America or receiving the recognition she deserved for helping give the leaders of America intel on the British. Like Deborah, Patience tried to serve her country and did such amazing things, but because of her persistency the idea that she might be some type of stalker, men such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson just pushed her to the side. Women like Deborah Sampson, Patience Wright, Agent 355, and Margaret Corbin are still struggling in society today. So many women throughout history have had to deal with the gender constructions, hidden identities, and not getting the recognition they deserve. These women from the revolutionary war help give women today the fight they need to push past discrimination and fight for their rights. Alex Meyers in his book shows a woman with great intentions who never gives up no matter what was thrown her way. He shows that women are cable like any man to go above and beyond what is asked. Deborah Sampson was not given enough glory during her time in the war, but all over America today she and all the women stated are given the recognition they deserve. In conclusion Alex Meyers Depicts the hardships women endured during the Revolutionary war with just one woman. Imagine the women that went unnoticed. How did they feel and what was life like for them after the war?
Margaret Corbin, Agent 355, Patience Wright are just a few of the women who served in the revolutionary war. These women just like Deborah Sampson were not treated like the heroes they were after the war. Alex Meyers highlights why gender construction is an incorrect philosophy as women throughout history have proven to be as strong and willful as men, have made positive impacts despite being forced to hide their identity, and persevered though they would never be thanked or glorified by those they helped. Margaret Corbin, better known as Molly Pitcher is a famous woman known from the Revolutionary war. Margaret Corbin was a wife of a soldier who traveled with the army and would cook, clean, sew, and do laundry in exchange for food and shelter. While stationed at Fort Washington, New York, the fort was attacked by the British troops. The man operating the cannon was shot and killed, so Corbin’s husband filled in, while Corbin took her husband’s job doing ammunition duties. Then Corbin’s husband was shot and killed, once Corbin noticed her husband she quickly took over cannon duties until she herself was shot in the chest and left arm. She was awarded a stipend of $30, in exchange for her service. Even though this woman was rewarded and praised, she was only awarded and praised because she had to step in to help, because the men were injured (Cathey). This example brings up the problem of gender construction, the issue of gender roles that each gender must stick to the roles they are given. In this case Margaret Corbin was a woman involved with the war to aid her husband by cooking, sewing, and doing jobs women are supposed to do. When the fort was attached and Corbin saw that the men needed help, she jumped in to save the day. If Corbin had tried to help as a woman any other time, she would have been chastised, but because there was not a man around to do the job it was ok that she stepped in that one time. The gender role stereotypes are ridiculous and make it hard for women, because men are supposed to do the hard jobs, while women should stay at home and do the easy things such as cook and clean. Deborah Sampson like many women during the revolutionary war were not able to help because of their gender, but like many women during that time Deborah took matters in her own hands. Deborah wanted so badly to have a part in defeating the red coats that she disguised herself as a man to do her part. In the book, Deborah had to run away from her hometown the only place she knew because she was found out by her people that she had disguised herself as a male to try to fight in the war. Because of the gender construction women have, as weak and delicate she was looked down upon because she wanted to do a man’s job. The people she had known for most of her life were chastising her for wanting to help do a man’s job. Even though this was the case Deborah Sampson persevered and made a long journey as a man, even cutting her hair because she was determined to do her part for America. “Each step dragged as though thick mire clutched at her foot. Still she pressed on, stopping at times to catch her breath and listen, but the night remained silent.” (Meyers 21) This is an excerpt from Revolutionary showing Deborah’s dedication to becoming a soldier. This is after she had to run away from her hometown because she was out casted. Then Deborah changed her name to Robert Shurtleff, reported a British spy, killed many British soldiers during attacks, was injured severely two times, fell in love with a soldier who later was shot to death, becomes the right-hand man for a general, to then be found out as a girl after falling sick. Deborah Sampson was almost not paid her soldier salary because she was a woman, even though she was the best soldier her army had (Meyers). Alex Meyers writes about Deborah Sampson and her struggles, but there are actually other women in the American revolutionary war that fought the same hardships as she did such as Agent 355. Agent 355 was a woman who disguised herself using the name Samuel Culper Sr. so she could fight in the war just as Deborah did. She was a soldier who help uncover American General Benedict Arnold’s plans to betray the Revolution. His plan was to turn over fort West Point over to the British, but Agent 355 saved the day and uncovered his mastermind plans. She was an amazing soldier and continued to do great thing until she was captured by the British, gave birth to a son, Robert Townsend Jr., to then dying on a prisoner ship. To this day no one knows who this brave and intelligent woman was, therefore she goes down in history as Agent 355. McCarthy states in her biography of Agent 355
“Many intelligence historians consider her one of this country’s first female undercover operations officers. Still others refer to her as the “hidden daughter of the American Revolution.” While defending against British transgressions in and around New York, George Washington came to rely heavily on the information she supplied him. But even today, she is known only by the designation “355,” the code-number for “lady” in an encryption system used by the famous Culper Ring.”
This woman, just like Deborah Sampson had to disguise herself as a man to fight in the war. If Agent 355 had not helped during the war, General Benedict Arnold’s plan to help the British could have happened and the war could have been lost from this one British victory. These women did the jobs of men, probably even better than men would have done themselves. If women like Deborah Sampson and Agent 355 had not helped in the war, things could have turned out differently for the Americans. Meyers therefore, has depicted just one of the many problems that women faced during the revolutionary war. In Revolutionary, Deborah Sampson is shown as powerful, brave, independent, strong, willing and adventurous. She does many things a man could not do and she does all of it while trying to portray being a male. After all she does, her identity is found out and even though she was an amazing soldier, her courage is down played and she does not get the recognition she deserves. At the end of her soldier career she is given no salary and is promised to be paid. She then has to go to court because she is not paid the money she was promised because of her gender. She eventually received her money after years of fighting for her rights while Congress tries to take away her advances because she was a girl. Deborah Sampson did have many people on her side, but those that refused to see her as a heroine made her a strong and wiser person. There was another woman by the name of Patience Wright that endured a lot of hatred after she helped soldiers during the Revolutionary war.
Patience was a sculptor and a spy for the American side. She was a born American who traveled to London and became a favorite of many British including the king and queen. After swooning the British she started gathering sensitive information for the Americans and would send it back to American leaders in her wax sculptures. Patience also took the Colonies’ case directly to the king and queen, but after showing too much support for the colonist, the higher ups in London started distancing themselves from her. Then the American leaders started distancing themselves from Patience because they felt like she was stalking them and had a creepy obsession for the men. Whether Patience really wanted to help these men or not she sent a letter to Washington and Thomas Jefferson before she died
stating;
“I most sincerely wish not only to make the likeness of Washington, but of those five gentlemen, who assisted at the signing the treaty of peace, that put an end to so bloody and dreadful a war. The more public the honours bestowed on such men by their country, the better. To shame the English king, I would go to any trouble and expense to add my mite in the stock of honour due to Adams, Jefferson, and others, to send to America.” (Serratore)
She says she wants to use her art of service once more in any way she can. These letters unfortunately did not favor to the men and they never responded to her begging. She died never returning to America or receiving the recognition she deserved for helping give the leaders of America intel on the British. Like Deborah, Patience tried to serve her country and did such amazing things, but because of her persistency the idea that she might be some type of stalker, men such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson just pushed her to the side. Women like Deborah Sampson, Patience Wright, Agent 355, and Margaret Corbin are still struggling in society today. So many women throughout history have had to deal with the gender constructions, hidden identities, and not getting the recognition they deserve. These women from the revolutionary war help give women today the fight they need to push past discrimination and fight for their rights. Alex Meyers in his book shows a woman with great intentions who never gives up no matter what was thrown her way. He shows that women are cable like any man to go above and beyond what is asked. Deborah Sampson was not given enough glory during her time in the war, but all over America today she and all the women stated are given the recognition they deserve. In conclusion Alex Meyers Depicts the hardships women endured during the Revolutionary war with just one woman. Imagine the women that went unnoticed. How did they feel and what was life like for them after the war?