No, this is not a manual for creating the perfect helpmeet.
Abstractly it is about an experiment of sorts conducted by an 18th
century philosopher, Thomas Day.
Thomas Day had a problem. He had exceptionally ridiculous
level of expectations of his future wife, and no woman could meet them or if
they came perilously close they would recoil at said expectations that and bolt
to the next gentleman caller.
This is the second book that I have read by Wendy Moore who
again through her tenacity for research provides a nuanced view of Thomas Day
and his experiment. She presents him as neither villain nor hero. But as a
human man who rather surreptitiously adopted two young girls in hopes of
moulding them into his human companion.
It was of course a huge folly. Thomas Day was influenced by
Rosseau’s educational instruction manual, Emile,
but so much like the rest of the elite of 18th century Europe. Rosseau
called for harsh integration of children into society, meaning that by
immersing children into extremes of weather or play that you could create an
adult that could adapt well into society. “Harden their bodies about the
intemperance of season, the climates, the elements. Inure them to hunger,
thirst and fatigue. Dip them in the waters of Styx”. In modernity, practicing
such parenting techniques would result in the loss of your children. Most
parents would be shocked at such practices. However, this was done widely by
the elites, who believed Rosseau to be incredibly intelligent and above all
correct in his teachings. Many parents today subscribe to parenting tomes that
can strain credulity to forefathers, “spare the rod, spoil the child” would
raise many a brow.
This is the world in which Day lived in, and he practiced
Rosseau’s decrees with ferocity, as did his friends and colleagues with their
own children. However, none used it to create their wives or companions, but
they all watched Day’s experiment with baited breath.
Day used some care when selecting two young women who he
would mould into his helpmeet. He went to a foundling hospital and offered an
apprenticeship to two beautiful young women. This guise was soon discarded,
however, the girls never did find out what the point of his education. Even
after he had decided that both girls had failed to meet his expectations.
Ideally, Day wanted to live a very isolated pastoral life with his love. A
woman who was fleshy and buxom and intelligent, but not more so than him, one
who would acquiesce to all of his demands and be happy with meagre food and
living. (I know I am for one SHOCKED that he couldn't find the "right" woman).
Set against the rich tapestry of Georgian England. This is a profound adventure of one man searching for love.
Did Day find his perfect wife? Well. You'll have to read to find out.
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