summary and words

Summary
Jan 17, 2010
In Hye Park
According to L. Burns in “The First Lady as Public Woman, 1900-1929” in “First Ladies and the Fourth Estate”, 2008, pages 42-62, first ladies performed not only traditional role but also the role of modern woman as “public woman”( L. Burns, 2008, p.44) between 1900 and 1929. Especially, the author focused on first lady’s new role as “public woman” (L. Burns, 2008, p.44). First, she assumed social change of the modern era ultimately contributed to the expanding role of first lady as “public woman” (L. Burns, 2008, p.47). Furthermore, the author clarified the political role in terms of “gender performance” (L. Burns, 2008, p.48). Specifically, she pointed out that first ladies personified “republican motherhood” (L. Burns, 2008, p.52) combining the notion of traditional “true woman” (L. Burns, 2008, p.52) with modern “new woman” (L. Burns, 2008, p.52). In addition, the author noted that the concept of first lady as “hostess” (L. Burns, 2008, p.55) was extended into “presidential partner” (L. Burns, 2008, p.54), which is crucial for her husband’s political career. Finally, she revealed that first lady’s new “public power” (L. Burns, 2008, p.56) attributes to represent the public stance as politically active woman, which was uncommon before this period. Especially, the role of “social advocacy” (L. Burns, 2008, p.59) was extended into framing a policy although the political influence was not direct. Hence, the author concluded that during this era first ladies conducted both politically public roles and conventional private roles simultaneously.


Vocabulary

Exalt (v.): to praise highly, honor
(=applaud, acclaim)
‘The reelection of McKinley would provide the American people a first lady who exalts mere womanliness above anything that women dare to do.’

Pertain (v.): to belong / be related to s.t.
(=be valid, be relevant)
‘Bryan’s mind is a storehouse of information on all subjects that pertain to her husband’s duty and ambition’

Embody (v.): to express, symbolize
(=personify, represent)
‘While turn-of-the-century first ladies such as McKinley and Roosevelt embodied true womanhood, their successors personified both true womanhood and the new woman, ‘despite the conflict in gender prescription.’
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Prescription (n.): an order for medication / a formula, set of steps
(=instruction, direction)
‘While turn-of-the-century first ladies such as McKinley and Roosevelt embodied true womanhood, their successors personified both true womanhood and the new woman, ‘despite the conflict in gender prescription.’


Invoke (v.): to put on effect, to use / to call upon for help
(= appeal to, cite)
‘Like the president, journalist invoked republican motherhood in their discussion of women’s patriotism and wartime contributions and their newfound status’

Conflate (v.): to put two or more things together to make one new thing
(=be in harmony with, unite)
‘By conflating performances of the first lady position with gender performance,’

Reconcile (v.): to bring together people or idea that were separated, to harmonize
(=reunite, merge)
‘the ideal of republican motherhood (reconciling politics and domesticity) was often used to justify women’s political participation.’

Amplify (v.): to increase in sound level / to increase more information
(=intensify, strengthen)
‘a concept that would lead to double binds in later years as the press amplified their critique of first ladies’ performance.’

Stigma (n.): a mark of shame or disgrace
(=dishonor)
‘The positioning of first ladies as public figures in the political sphere neutralized the stigma associated with women’s public-sphere activity.’

Undermine (v.): to ruin the efforts of s.o.
(=weaken, damage)
‘Such gendered framing in some ways undermined their standing as independent public figures,’

Overt (adj.): public, not hidden, obvious
(=clear, evident)
‘their action were not seen as an overt attempt to challenge or change traditional gender roles.’

Disseminate (v.): to make known, to promulgate
(=distribute, spread)
‘Stories and images of first ladies were disseminated to a wide audience.’

Gauge (v.): to measure, to evaluate
(=estimate, test)
‘This form of personification framing is commonly used in profiles of candidates’ wives as a way to gauge their qualification’

Sphere (n.): a round object/ an area
(=field, subject)
‘The positioning of first ladies as public figures in the political sphere neutralized the stigma associated with women’s public-sphere activity.’


Amendment (n.): a change, a modification
(=alteration, adjustment)
‘The Nineteenth Amendment granted women vote in 1920, which boosted women’s formal political participation in governance. ’