About the book
Kathleen Brown examines the origins of racism and slavery in British North America from the perspective of gender. Both a basic social relationship and a model for other social hierarchies, gender helped determine the construction of racial categories and the institution of slavery in Virginia. But the rise of racial slavery also transformed gender relations, including ideals of masculinity. In response to the presence of Indians, the shortage of labor, and the insecurity of social rank, Virginia’s colonial government tried to reinforce its authority by regulating the labor and sexuality of English servants and by making legal distinctions between English and African women. This practice, along with making slavery hereditary through the mother, contributed to the cultural shift whereby women of African descent assumed from lower-class English women both the burden of fieldwork and the stigma of moral corruption. Brown’s analysis extends through Bacon’s Rebellion in 1676, an important juncture in consolidating the colony’s white male public culture, and into the eighteenth century. She demonstrates that, despite elite planters' dominance, wives, children, free people of color, and enslaved men and women continued to influence the meaning of race and class in colonial Virginia.
Editions of Good Wives, Nasty Wenches, and Anxious Patriarchs
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780807823071
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780807846230
- EBook
- ISBN 9798890864611
- EBook
- ISBN 9798890864604
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469600505
- EBook
- ISBN 9780807838297
Read an Excerpt
Kathleen Brown examines the origins of racism and slavery in British North America from the perspective of gender. Both a basic social relationship and a model for other social hierarchies, gender helped determine the construction of racial categories and the institution of slavery in Virginia. But the rise of racial slavery also transformed gender relations, including ideals of masculinity. In response to the presence of Indians, the shortage of labor, and the insecurity of social rank, Virginia’s colonial government tried to reinforce its authority by regulating the labor and sexuality of English servants and by making legal distinctions between English and African women. This practice, along with making slavery hereditary through the mother, contributed to the cultural shift whereby women of African descent assumed from lower-class English women both the burden of fieldwork and the stigma of moral corruption. Brown’s analysis extends through Bacon’s Rebellion in 1676, an important juncture in consolidating the colony’s white male public culture, and into the eighteenth century. She demonstrates that, despite elite planters' dominance, wives, children, free people of color, and enslaved men and women continued to influence the meaning of race and class in colonial Virginia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Good Wives, Nasty Wenches, and Anxious Patriarchs about?
Kathleen Brown examines the origins of racism and slavery in British North America from the perspective of gender. Both a basic social relationship and a model for other social hierarchies, gender helped determine the construction of racial categories and the institution of slavery in Virginia. But the rise of racial slavery also transformed gender relations, including ideals of masculinity. In response to the presence of Indians, the shortage of labor, and the insecurity of social rank, Virginia’s colonial government tried to reinforce its authority by regulating the labor and sexuality of English servants and by making legal distinctions between English and African women. This practice, along with making slavery hereditary through the mother, contributed to the cultural shift whereby women of African descent assumed from lower-class English women both the burden of fieldwork and the stigma of moral corruption. Brown’s analysis extends through Bacon’s Rebellion in 1676, an important juncture in consolidating the colony’s white male public culture, and into the eighteenth century. She demonstrates that, despite elite planters' dominance, wives, children, free people of color, and enslaved men and women continued to influence the meaning of race and class in colonial Virginia.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Good Wives, Nasty Wenches, and Anxious Patriarchs?
History and Archaeology > History > History of the Americas
Where can I read a sample of Good Wives, Nasty Wenches, and Anxious Patriarchs?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807823071
How long is Good Wives, Nasty Wenches, and Anxious Patriarchs and how many pages does it have?
Good Wives, Nasty Wenches, and Anxious Patriarchs has 512 page(s)
Is Good Wives, Nasty Wenches, and Anxious Patriarchs part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Published by the Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture and the University of North Carolina Press
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Good Wives, Nasty Wenches, and Anxious Patriarchs?
Kathleen M. Brown
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Good Wives, Nasty Wenches, and Anxious Patriarchs is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807823071) and paperback(ISBN 9780807846230) and ebook(ISBN 9798890864611) and ebook(ISBN 9798890864604) and ebook(ISBN 9781469600505) and ebook(ISBN 9780807838297)
Where can I buy Good Wives, Nasty Wenches, and Anxious Patriarchs online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Good Wives, Nasty Wenches, and Anxious Patriarchs from below
Where can I buy Good Wives, Nasty Wenches, and Anxious Patriarchs?