Fanny Fern (Sarah Willis Parton)

Discussion Questions (NAAL)

1.) For the essay, “Male Criticism on Ladies’ Books,” evaluate Fanny Fern’s response to this critic.  What argumentative strategies does she use?  Are these strategies effective?  Why or why not?

2.) For the essay, “’Fresh Leaves, by Fanny Fern,’” analyze why Fanny Fern would write this kind of parody of her own book.  Why is she presenting herself in this way?  What purpose(s) does this essay serve?

3.) For the essay, “A Law More Nice Than Just,” analyze why Fanny Fern includes “Mr. Fern” in her essay, and why she has him say and do the things he does.

4.) For each of the three parts of Fanny Fern’s series on Blackwell’s Island, begin by identifying the specific groups of people Fern is writing about:

Number 1: ________________________________________________________________

Number 2: ________________________________________________________________

Number 3: ________________________________________________________________

5.) Then, for each of the three parts of Fanny Fern’s series on Blackwell’s Island, ascertain Fern’s “thesis” (message, conclusion, theme) concerning each group of people:

Number 1: ________________________________________________________________

Number 2: ________________________________________________________________

Number 3: ________________________________________________________________

6.) How can we benefit today -- or how can our society benefit today -- from being familiar with the Fanny Fern selections?

7.) How does Fanny Fern most clearly exhibit the tensions of gender and class in 19th century America?

8.) For all six of the above essays, consider and respond to the following ideas from two literary critics:

• “Noticing Fanny Fern’s Fabian [cautious or dilatory, as in taking action], sometimes self-deprecating, highly mobile mode of attack, we may want to ask ourselves how this strategy played both with and against controversial male stereotypes of female temperament and intellectual reach.  Is this an effective strategy or an accommodation?”
   
• “When reading Fern, we might consider how the individual talent interacts with prevailing, and sometimes prejudicial and oppressive, cultural and intellectual habits.”