TAKING A VIEW OF THE SITUATION.
Our problem is this: How may woman enjoy the
delights of culture, and at the same time fulfil her
duties to family and household? Perhaps it is
not assuming too much to say, that, in making known
the existence of such a problem, we have already taken
the first step toward its solution, just as a ship’s
crew in distress take the first step toward relief
by making a signal which calls attention to their needs.
The next step—after having, as we may say,
set our flag at half-mast—is one which,
if all we hear be true, should come easily to women
in council, namely, talking. And talking we must
have, even if, as in the social game called “Throwing
Light,” much of it is done at a venture.
In that interesting little game, after a few hints
have been given concerning “the word,”
different members of the company begin at once to
talk about it, and think about it, and suggest and
hazard descriptive remarks, according to the idea
each has formed of it; that is, they try, though in
the dark, to “throw light.” As the
interest increases, the excitement becomes intense.
Many of the ideas expressed are absurdly wide of the
mark, yet even these help to show what the answer
is not; and often, by their coming in contact, a light
is struck which helps amazingly. And so, in regard
to our problem, we have the hints; then why not begin
at once to think about it, and talk about it, and
suggest, and guess, and throw light with all our might?
No matter if we even get excited, say absurd things,
say utterly preposterous things, make blunders.
Blunders are to be expected. Let them fly right
and left; by hitting together right smartly they may
strike out sparks which shall help us find our way.
We all have heard of the frank country girl who said
to her bashful lover, “Do say something, if
it isn’t quite so bright!” This, doubtless,
is what every thoughtful woman, if she expressed the
sincere desire of her heart regarding our perplexing
question, would say to all other women; and it is
to comply with that wish, partly expressed to me,
that I have gathered up from chance observation, chance
reading, and hearsay, some ideas bearing on the subject.
Suppose we begin by looking about us, and making clear
to our minds just what this state of things is, which,
because it hinders culture, many deem so unsatisfactory.
After that, we will consider its causes, reasons for
changing it, and the way or ways out of it.
A few, a very few, of our women are able to live and
move and have their being literally regardless of
expense. These can buy of skilled assistants
and competent supervisors, whole lifetimes of leisure;
with these, therefore, our problem has no concern.
The larger class, the immense majority, either do
their work themselves, or attend personally to its
being done by others; “others” signifying
that inefficient, untrustworthy, unstable horde who
come fresh from their training in peat-bog and meadow,
to cook our dinners, take care of our china dishes,
and adjust the nice little internal arrangements of
our dwellings.
