I can’t believe that last cartoon is real! I’d say that is definitely mocking - it’s suggesting with all that she is carrying (the buckets on her shoulders) she won’t make it very far so might as well stay at the bottom.
There is so much irony in how so many of those rungs still aren’t true to this day 🫠 I’m sure whoever drew it would be thrilled! Thanks for another interesting post!
I was assuming she could shed the shoulder harness and climb up? But maybe not. The cartoon appeared in the nyt and an Ohio newspaper. I’m hoping it was published in support of women’s suffrage.
Always tricky to understand historical context. By today’s standards, that ladder looks dangerous. Maybe back then, the ladder signified a “way up” after she set down the buckets?
So interesting how we’ve both interpreted it differently! I thought the harness looked pretty locked in around her neck but whose to know! I agree with Peter the ladder does look precarious haha.
Maybe It gave a positive message of ‘the only way is up!’ for women’s rights!
Danielle, thanks for the kind words. Comments like yours keep me going! Here's another idea for your "new look." https://forgottenfiles.substack.com/p/her-choice-1897
Those cartoons are infuriating. Isn’t it nice to have someone to do your chores until death do you part.
It depends on where the original cartoon appeared. I want to believe that it was encouraging and not mocking.
Thanks for these windows into the past (and present) I really enjoy them.
“Windows on the Past’. I like that
The 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote in 1920, and look where it's got us!
Just a couple more steps up to fame and then she can afford an au pair for the kids and a vacation to Hawaii with the hubby. I'd vote for that.
I can’t believe that last cartoon is real! I’d say that is definitely mocking - it’s suggesting with all that she is carrying (the buckets on her shoulders) she won’t make it very far so might as well stay at the bottom.
There is so much irony in how so many of those rungs still aren’t true to this day 🫠 I’m sure whoever drew it would be thrilled! Thanks for another interesting post!
I was assuming she could shed the shoulder harness and climb up? But maybe not. The cartoon appeared in the nyt and an Ohio newspaper. I’m hoping it was published in support of women’s suffrage.
Always tricky to understand historical context. By today’s standards, that ladder looks dangerous. Maybe back then, the ladder signified a “way up” after she set down the buckets?
So interesting how we’ve both interpreted it differently! I thought the harness looked pretty locked in around her neck but whose to know! I agree with Peter the ladder does look precarious haha.
Maybe It gave a positive message of ‘the only way is up!’ for women’s rights!
I thought that was interesting too!