About the book
Rural women comprised the largest part of the adult population of Texas until 1940 and in the American South until 1960. On the cotton farms of Central Texas, women’s labor was essential. In addition to working untold hours in the fields, women shouldered most family responsibilities: keeping house, sewing clothing, cultivating and cooking food, and bearing and raising children. But despite their contributions to the southern agricultural economy, rural women’s stories have remained largely untold.
Using oral history interviews and written memoirs, Rebecca Sharpless weaves a moving account of women’s lives on Texas cotton farms. She examines how women from varying ethnic backgrounds — German, Czech, African American, Mexican, and Anglo-American — coped with difficult circumstances. The food they cooked, the houses they kept, the ways in which they balanced field work with housework, all yield insights into the twentieth-century South. And though rural women’s lives were filled with routines, many of which were undone almost as soon as they were done, each of their actions was laden with importance, says Sharpless, for the welfare of a woman’s entire family depended heavily upon her efforts.
Editions of Fertile Ground, Narrow Choices
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780807824566
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780807847602
- EBook
- ISBN 9780807876138
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890870612
Read an Excerpt
Rural women comprised the largest part of the adult population of Texas until 1940 and in the American South until 1960. On the cotton farms of Central Texas, women’s labor was essential. In addition to working untold hours in the fields, women shouldered most family responsibilities: keeping house, sewing clothing, cultivating and cooking food, and bearing and raising children. But despite their contributions to the southern agricultural economy, rural women’s stories have remained largely untold.
Using oral history interviews and written memoirs, Rebecca Sharpless weaves a moving account of women’s lives on Texas cotton farms. She examines how women from varying ethnic backgrounds — German, Czech, African American, Mexican, and Anglo-American — coped with difficult circumstances. The food they cooked, the houses they kept, the ways in which they balanced field work with housework, all yield insights into the twentieth-century South. And though rural women’s lives were filled with routines, many of which were undone almost as soon as they were done, each of their actions was laden with importance, says Sharpless, for the welfare of a woman’s entire family depended heavily upon her efforts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Fertile Ground, Narrow Choices about?
Rural women comprised the largest part of the adult population of Texas until 1940 and in the American South until 1960. On the cotton farms of Central Texas, women’s labor was essential. In addition to working untold hours in the fields, women shouldered most family responsibilities: keeping house, sewing clothing, cultivating and cooking food, and bearing and raising children. But despite their contributions to the southern agricultural economy, rural women’s stories have remained largely untold.
Using oral history interviews and written memoirs, Rebecca Sharpless weaves a moving account of women’s lives on Texas cotton farms. She examines how women from varying ethnic backgrounds — German, Czech, African American, Mexican, and Anglo-American — coped with difficult circumstances. The food they cooked, the houses they kept, the ways in which they balanced field work with housework, all yield insights into the twentieth-century South. And though rural women’s lives were filled with routines, many of which were undone almost as soon as they were done, each of their actions was laden with importance, says Sharpless, for the welfare of a woman’s entire family depended heavily upon her efforts.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Fertile Ground, Narrow Choices?
Society and Social Sciences > Society and culture: general > Social groups, communities and identities > Gender studies, gender groups > Gender studies: women and girls
Where can I read a sample of Fertile Ground, Narrow Choices?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807824566
How long is Fertile Ground, Narrow Choices and how many pages does it have?
Fertile Ground, Narrow Choices has 352 page(s)
Is Fertile Ground, Narrow Choices part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Studies in Rural Culture
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Fertile Ground, Narrow Choices?
Rebecca Sharpless
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Fertile Ground, Narrow Choices is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807824566) and paperback(ISBN 9780807847602) and ebook(ISBN 9780807876138) and pdf(ISBN 9798890870612)
Where can I buy Fertile Ground, Narrow Choices online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Fertile Ground, Narrow Choices from below
Where can I buy Fertile Ground, Narrow Choices?