The World's Own Analysis
Despite her husband’s disapproval of her pursuing a writing career, Julia Ward Howe published her first book of poetry in 1853. Although it was initially published anonymously, it was successful and she began earning royalties. Dr. Howe voiced his displeasure with her for publishing her work and letting her name be known, but that did not stop her. Her second book of poems was published in 1856 and the next year her play, “The World’s Own,” was produced in New York and Boston (Meltzer, 1964). Dr. Howe was coming around in terms of accepting her secondary career as a writer, but he thought that her place was in the home showing devotion to her children and husband. Although this was not mentioned in Julia Ward Howe’s biography of her husband,
apparently their quarrels over her writing let to heated conversations about them separating (Ruane, 2011). But neither could likely accept being separated from the children and within a few years they had come to reconcile themselves to the realities of their marriage and each other’s pursuits (Meltzer, 1964). Howe was undoubtedly less than thrilled about her writing “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” which she penned in November, 1861, after watching a review of Union troops in Washington (Ruane, 2011).
apparently their quarrels over her writing let to heated conversations about them separating (Ruane, 2011). But neither could likely accept being separated from the children and within a few years they had come to reconcile themselves to the realities of their marriage and each other’s pursuits (Meltzer, 1964). Howe was undoubtedly less than thrilled about her writing “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” which she penned in November, 1861, after watching a review of Union troops in Washington (Ruane, 2011).