1,133 Matching Annotations
  1. Nov 2015
    1. “beware if you have dared to behave either unjust or dishonourably to that poor girl, your life shall pay the forfeit:—I will revenge her cause.”

      Well get ready to revenge it then, Montraville because that's exactly what he did

    2. Such were the dreadful images that haunted her distracted mind, and nature was sinking fast under the dreadful malady which medicine had no power to remove.

      The stress and the mistreatment have finally caused her to lose her mind

    3. and do you think I will give away my property to a nasty, impudent hussey, to maintain her and her bastard; an I was saying to my husband the other day what will this world come to; honest women are nothing now-a-days, while the harlotings are set up for fine ladies, and look upon us no more nor the dirt they walk upon

      Yikes...this lady has zero compassion. These are the kind of people Charlotte has been hiding from all along

    4. “Yes, we will receive her,” said Mr. Temple; “we will endeavour to heal her wounded spirit, and speak peace and comfort to her agitated soul. I will write to her to return immediately.’

      Charlotte was so afraid her parents would hate her...children never seem to understand how deeply they are loved by their parents

    5. “‘Tis false; I never desired him to come, and you know I did not: but mark me, Charlotte, from this instant our connexion is at an end. Let Belcour, or any other of your favoured lovers, take you and provide for you; I have done with you for ever.”

      Oh yeah sure, turn it all around on her. You're just trying to MARRY ANOTHER WOMAN

    6. She paused, glanced her eye upon her own visible situation, and, spite of her endeavours to suppress them, burst into tears.

      Charlotte doesn't see herself as being a valuable friend because her situation makes her such an outcast of society

    7. “I imagined I loved Charlotte: but alas! I am now too late convinced my attachment to her was merely the impulse of the moment.

      You couldn't have figured that out before you kidnapped her and dragged her to America and made her miserable?

    8. I will return this box,” said he, “which has been the source of so much uneasiness already, and in the evening pay a visit to my poor melancholy Charlotte, and endeavour to forget this fascinating Julia.”

      Because his resolutions to be a "good guy" worked out so well before...

    9. and laments her want of power to recall his lost affection; she knows there is no tie but honour, and that, in a man who has been guilty of seduction, is but very feeble: he may leave her in a moment to shame and want; he may marry and forsake her for ever

      A woman has no power in a relationship with a man unless she is married to him (even then it is very little, but at least there's some).

    10. What painful hours of expectation would she pass! She would sit at a window which looked toward a field he used to cross, counting the minutes, and straining her eyes to catch the first glimpse of his person, till blinded with tears of disappointment, she would lean her head on her hands, and give free vent to her sorrows:

      Sounds like one of those "damsels in distress" from fairytales that are locked inside towers all day

    1. e therefore wisely resolved to walk on the deck, tear it in pieces, and commit the fragments to the care of Neptune, who might or might not, as it suited his convenience, convey them on shore.

      Ugh come on. Of course he tore it up...he wants Charlotte all to himself

    2. She saw, that the contents had awakened new emotions in her youthful bosom: she encouraged her hopes, calmed her fears, and before they parted for the night, it was determined that she should meet Montraville the ensuing evening.

      He must be one smooth-talker!

    3. I should never read a letter given me by a young man, without first giving it to her.

      Smart lady, especially considering the time period. Her mother is probably much more well-versed in the flattery of men. Also, mother knows best!

    4. I mean no more by what I have here advanced, than to ridicule those romantic girls, who foolishly imagine a red coat and silver epaulet constitute the fine gentleman; and should that fine gentleman make half a dozen fine speeches to them, they will imagine themselves so much in love as to fancy it a meritorious action to jump out of a two pair of stairs window, abandon their friends, and trust entirely to the honour of a man, who perhaps hardly knows the meaning of the word, and if he does, will be too much the modern man of refinement, to practice it in their favour.

      Wow...basically making fun of the fact that some women are so easily won over by flattery and appearances.

    5. ah! well-a-day for the poor girl who gazes on him: she is in imminent danger; but if she listens to him with pleasure, ’tis all over with her, and from that moment she has neither eyes nor ears for any other object.

      Men like that are apparently irresistible...a man in a uniform...

    6. will easily imagine the letter was made up of encomiums on her beauty, and vows of everlasting love and constancy; nor will he be surprised that a heart open to every gentle, generous sentiment, should feel itself warmed by gratitude for a man who professed to feel so much for her

      Flattery goes a long way...

    7. marrying a woman for no other reason than because the affluence of her fortune would enable him to injure her by maintaining in splendor the woman to whom his heart was devoted

      Yeah it was pretty sleazy of his dad to suggest that

    8. Such was Miss Weatherby: her form lovely as nature could make it, but her mind uncultivated, her heart unfeeling, her passions impetuous, and her brain almost turned with flattery, dissipation, and pleasure; and such was the girl, whom a partial grandfather left independent mistress of the fortune before mentioned.

      She sounds like a brainless, spoiled brat.

    9. When my wife and son were committed to their kindred earth, my creditors seized my house and furniture, which not being sufficient to discharge all their demands, detainers were lodged against me. No friend stepped forward to my relief; from the grave of her mother, my beloved Lucy followed an almost dying father to this melancholy place.

      Wow, he really had a tough time between the debt and the family tragedies. When it rains, it pours...

    10. ; but offered to release me immediately, and make any settlement on her, if George would persuade her to live, as he impiously termed it, a life of honour.

      If he can have the girl, then he'll drop the charges against the father...man this guy is shady

    11. I must of necessity leave England in a few days, and probably may never return; why then should I endeavour to engage the affections of this lovely girl, only to leave her a prey to a thousand inquietudes, of which at present she has no idea?

      If he starts anything with her, it would be unfair because he has to leave for a long time, maybe forever

    12. I shall feel a much higher gratification in reflecting on this trifling performance, than could possibly result from the applause which might attend the most elegant finished piece of literature whose tendency might deprave the heart or mislead the understanding.

      She wants this book to educate women more than she wants literary recognition for it.

    13. The circumstances on which I have founded this novel were related to me some little time since by an old lady who had personally known Charlotte, though she concealed the real names of the characters, and likewise the place where the unfortunate scenes were acted

      "Based on a true story"

  2. Oct 2015
    1. It doth not appear that she was governed by any one sensual appetite; but merely by a desire of adorning her mind; a laudable ambition fired her soul, and a thirst for knowledge impelled the predilection so fatal in its consequences.

      Eve just wanted some knowledge! But apparently a desire for knowledge is fatal to women...

    2. If we meet an equal, a sensible friend, we will reward him with the hand of amity, and through life we will be assiduous to promote his happiness

      Marriage without equivalent knowledge of the sexes is oppressing and wrong, but marriage with equal knowledge would be right!

    3. for after an education which limits and confines, and employments and recreations which naturally tend to enervate the body, and debilitate the mind; after we have from early youth been adorned with ribbons, and other gewgaws, dressed out like the ancient victims previous to a sacrifice, being taught by the care of our parents in collecting the most showy materials that the ornamenting our exteriour ought to be the principal object of our attention; after, I say, fifteen years thus spent, we are introduced into the world, amid the united adulation of every beholder.

      After a limited and intellectually void upbringing, women are sent out into the world thinking only their looks matter.

    4. Thus David was a man after God’s own heart, yet see him enervated by his licentious passions! behold him following Uriah to the death, and shew me wherein could consist the immaculate Being’s complacency. Listen to the curses which Job bestoweth upon the day of his nativity, and tell me where is his perfection, where his patience–literally it existed not

      Just because men are mentioned more often in the Bible, doesn't mean their unquestionably superior. The men in the Bible made mistakes too!

    5. I know there are who assert, that as the animal power of the one sex are superiour, of course their mental faculties also must be stronger

      "Men are physically stronger than women, so the same must be true of their brains." Bull. Shit.

    6. Pity that all such censurers of female improvement do not go one step further, and deny their future existence; to be consistent they surely ought.

      Deny us of education because house duties should be enough for our minds? Might as well just kill us off. Dramatic and sassy and I LOVE IT

    7. I can add, that when once attained, they require no further mental attention.

      Once you learn how to cook and clean, you know how to cook and clean. You don't even have to think about it because it is mindless work. And that is why it is so unfulfilling.

    8. A mind, thus filled, would have little room for the trifles with which our sex are, with too much justice, accused of amusing themselves, and they would thus be rendered fit companions for those, who should one day wear them as their crown.

      If women were allowed to fill their minds with knowledge, they would not be accused of needing senseless "amusements" by men.

    9. Is she united to a person whose soul nature made equal to her own, education hath set him so far above her, that in those entertainments which are productive of such rational felicity, she is not qualified to accompany him. She experiences a mortifying consciousness of inferiority, which embitters every enjoyment.

      Marriage to a man only decreases a woman's already low self-worth because she feels intellectually inferior to him due to their differences in education.

    10. At length arrived at womanhood, the uncultivated fair one feels a void, which the employments allotted her are by no means capable of filling. What can she do? to books she may not apply; or if she doth, to those only of the novel kind, lest she merit the appellation of a learned lady; and what ideas have been affixed to this term, the observation of many can testify.

      A life without knowledge is unfulfilling to a woman, but she cannot fill this void in her life because it is frowned upon by society

    11. May we not trace its source in the difference of education, and continued advantages? Will it be said that the judgment of a male of two years old, is more sage than that of a female’s of the same age

      The only reason women are intellectually inferior to men is because of their difference in education! If both sexes had the exact same education, it would be different

    12. Are we deficient in reason? we can only reason from what we know, and if an opportunity of acquiring knowledge hath been denied us, the inferiority of our sex cannot fairly be deduced from thence.

      Women cannot be properly judged against men in matters of reason because they have been denied traditional education

    13. Is the needle and kitchen sufficient to employ the operations of a soul thus organized? I should conceive not, Nay, it is a truth that those very departments leave the intelligent principle vacant, and at liberty for speculation.

      Housework is not enough to fulfill someone's life!

    14. Assuredly great activity of mind is thereby discovered, and was this activity properly directed, what beneficial effects would follow.

      If the mental energy women used to "imagine" things was allowed to access real knowledge and build upon it, greater things would be accomplished by their intellect

    15. so extremely ready are we, that the very first thought presents us with an apology, so plausible, as to produce our actions even in an amiable light.

      Women are good at coming up with apologies...because we apparently always have something to apologize for!

    16. The province of imagination hath long since been surrendered to us, and we have been crowned and undoubted sovereigns of the regions of fancy.

      Women have always been considered good at imagining things...but not understanding "real" things.

    17. I know that to both sexes elevated understandings, and the reverse, are common. But, suffer me to ask, in what the minds of females are so notoriously deficient, or unequal.

      There are varying levels of intelligence among both men and women. Why is all female intelligence considered inferior to any man's?

    18. But imbecility is still confin’d, And by the lordly sex to us consign’d; They rob us of the power t’improve, And then declare we only trifles love

      Women are written off as not being smart by men and considered only as playthings.

    19. As if a woman’s form must needs enrol, A weak, a servile, an inferiour soul; And that the guise of man must still proclaim, Greatness of mind, and him, to be the same

      Women are made out to be weak and intellectually inferior to men, but there is no real reason they a prescribed that identity

    20. While others, emulous of sweet applause, Industrious seek for each event a cause, Tracing the hidden springs whence knowledge flows, Which nature all in beauteous order shows.

      Some people are stuck in their ways and just exist, others aspire to goals and knowledge.

    21. But some there are who wish not to improve Who never can the path of knowledge love, Whose souls almost with the dull body one, With anxious care each mental pleasure shun; Weak is the level’d, enervated mind,

      Some won't strive for progress because they are too stuck in their ways, and their stubbornness gets in the way of their ability to change.

    1. I would, I must repeat, by all means guard them against a low estimation of self. I would leave no charm undiscovered or unmarked, for the penetrating eye of the pretended admirer, to make unto himself a merit by holding up to her view; thus, I would destroy the weapons of flattery, or render them useless, by leaving not the least room for their operation.

      Have a high self-worth and be aware of your strengths so that flattery of men does not fool you and take your self-control away.

    2. when the voice of adulation should assail her ear, as she had early been initiated into its true meaning, and from youth been accustomed to the language of praise; her attention would not be captivated, the Siren’s song would not borrow the aid of novelty, her young mind would not be enervated or intoxicated, by a delicious surprise, she would possess her soul in serenity and by that means, rise superior to the deep-laid schemes which, too commonly, encompass the steps of beauty.

      By being exposed to compliments and understanding flattery, she will not be fooled by men's compliments that are meant to make her swoon. Instead, she will maintain control over her soul (heart/mind/emotions?) in such a situation.

    3. but, it must be your part, my sweet girl, to render yourself worthy respect from higher motives: you must learn “to reverence yourself,” that is, your intellectual existence; you must join my efforts, in endeavouring to adorn your mind, for, it is from the proper furnishing of that, you will become indeed a valuable person,

      This is FANTASTIC. She's telling her daughter that she needs to consider herself to be important for more than just her looks and strive to educate herself so she can demand respect for her true value as a person. I love it!

    4. from my lips she should be accustomed to hear the most pleasing truths, and, as in the course of my instructions, I should doubtless find myself but too often impelled to wound the delicacy of youthful sensibility.

      She will compliment her daughter instead of shielding her from flattery, but won't protect her innocence by keeping harsh truths from her.

    5. whence arise the sweet perfume of adulation, and when she can obtain the regard due to a merit, which she supposes altogether uncommon.

      Because women are never taught to strive for accomplishments, when they are praised about a particular accomplishment, they think that such a practice is uncommon.

    6. they assiduously guard every avenue, they arrest the stream of due admiration, and endeavour to divest her of all idea of the bounties of nature

      Women are kept shielded from education and discouraged to believe that they're important. Probably to keep them "womanly."

    7. I would, therefore, have my pupils believe, that every thing in the compass of mortality, was placed within their grasp, and that, the avidity of application, the intenseness of study, were only requisite to endow them with every external grace, and mental accomplishment.

      That's a powerful teaching technique! You can achieve anything in the world if you learn your studies and apply yourself.

    8. But, lost to conscious worth, to decent pride, Compass nor helm there is, our course to guide: Nor may we anchor cast, for rudely tost In an unfathom’d sea, each motive’s lost,

      Without self-worth, you lose your direction in life and your drive

    1. do justly and be faithful to them that hire you, and treat them with that respect they may deserve; but worship no man. Worship God, this much is your duty as Christians and as Masons.

      You can respect and listen to a man of higher social ranking than you (or your boss, etc.), but no man is worth worshipping. Worship is only for God.

    2. How many Emperors and kings have left their kingdoms and best friends at the fight of a handful of men in arms; how many have we seen that have left their estates and their friends and ran over to the stronger side as they thought: all through fear of the men; who is but a worm, and hath no more power to hurt his fellow worm, without the permission of God, than a real worm.

      He's making the point that fear is the true enemy. You become a slave to fear.

    3. but justice and truth is his habitation; who hath said, Vengeance is mine and I will repay it, therefore let us kiss the rod and be still, and see the works of the Lord.

      God will bring the black people vengeance, they must patiently wait and have faith

    4. Although you are deprived of the means of education; yet you are not deprived of the means of meditation; by which I mean thinking, hearing and weighing matters, men and things in your own mind, and making that judgment of them as you think reasonable to satisfy your minds and give an answer to those who may ask you a question.

      A lack of education does not prevent you from rightfully questioning the conditions of your life.

    5. Thus doth Ethiopia begin to stretch forth her hand, from a sink of slavery to freedom and equality.

      The biblical spirit of ancient Ethiopia is metaphorically affecting the change in the lives of slaves? Is it their faith that is "stretching forth her hand"?

    6. ’tis not for want of courage in you, for they know that they dare not face you man for man, but in a mob, which we despise, and had rather suffer wrong than to do wrong, to the disturbance of the community and the disgrace of our reputation: for every good citizen doth honor to the laws of the state here he resides.

      The white man would never face a black man one-on-one, but will only face a black man with the support of others. Maybe a lone white man is afraid that the hatred and anger he has caused the black man would be too powerful for him to face alone?

    7. This minister of Jesus Christ did not think himself too good to receive the hand, and ride in the chariot with a black man in the face of day; neither did this great monarch (for so he was) think it beneath him to take a poor servant of the Lord by the hand, and invite him into his carriage, though but with a staff, one coat and no money in his pocket.

      Even in the Bible there are examples of white people treating black people like humans

    8. Prince Hall

      "an African American noted as an abolitionist, for his leadership in the free black community in Boston, and as the founder of Prince Hall Freemasonry. He lobbied for education rights for black children and was active in the back-to-Africa movement." --Wikipedia

    1. and the 15th Day of June, we were cast away on Cape-Florida, about 5 Leagues from the Shore; being now destitute of every Help, we knew not what to do or what Course to take in this our sad Condition

      What happened to put them in such dire conditions?

    2. An Account of the many Hardships he underwent from the Time he left his Master’s House, in the Year 1747, to the Time of his Return to Boston–How he was Cast away in the Capes of Florida;–the horrid Cruelty and inhuman Barbarity of the Indians in murdering the whole Ship’s Crew;–the Manner of his being carry’d by them into Captivity. Also, An Account of his being Confined Four Years and Seven Months in a close Dungeon,–And the remarkable Manner in which he met with his good old Master in London; who returned to New-England, a Passenger, in the same Ship.

      Before even reading this, I'm kind of skeptical that this man even existed. Sounds like a story slave owners would make up to keep their slaves from running away...

    3. Briton Hammon

      "Briton Hammon was a slave in the middle of the 18th century, who, after leaving his master, may have encountered more hardships outside his sanctioned slavery than as a slave. He recorded, and published, his "uncommon" story as a slave and his many hardships. Some of these include being captured by Indians after the deaths of all persons but himself on the ship and being held in captivity twice, once for almost five years. He described many attempts of escaping his captives, almost ending his life in a very poor state, and finally prevailing as a free man." --Wikipedia

    1. TITLE II Of the Inhabitants  Art. 3. – There cannot exist slaves on this territory, servitude is therein forever abolished. All men are born, live and die free and French. Art. 4. – All men, regardless of color, are eligible to all employment. Art. 5. – There shall exist no distinction other than those based on virtue and talent, and other superiority afforded by law in the exercise of a public function. The law is the same for all whether in punishment or in protection.

      Civil rights were a bigger deal than people think they were today.

    2. He shall supervise and censor by the authority of his commissaries, all writings designed for printing on the island he shall cause to be suppressed all those coming from abroad that would tend to corrupt mores or trouble the new colony; he shall punish the authors or colporteurs, according to the severity of the situation.

      This is pretty harsh...the Governor has the power to control what his colonists read, and as a result, their opinions and thoughts.

    3. hall meet at the ordinary place of hearing of the Central Assembly. to the effect of nominating, concurrently with the members of this Assembly, the new Governor or continue the administration of the one who is in function.

      So the members of this "Central Assembly" are the only people who have say in who is Governor?

    4. Each cultivator and each worker is a member of the family and shares in parts of the revenues.

      Does any of this sound vaguely like communism to anyone else? Everyone taking part in the work that sustains the community & all workers taking shares of the revenues?

    5. The Constitution charges the Governor to take convenient measures to encourage and favor the increase in manpower, to stipulate and balance the diverse interests, to ensure and guarantee the execution of respective engagements resulting from this introduction.

      Big job for the Governor!