Gendering Images of Revolution

“Women could make noise that no sound would be heard” women’s role in the revolutionary era was to stay as housewife, husband’s shadow and they were not supposed to involve in political events. , “a Society of Patriotic Ladies” (1774) was painted to ridicule American protest’s credibility by proposing that those women had neglected their job as being a woman and since they “weren't” ladylike, their proposal were just meaningless. It would give a totally different emotion if men were painted in the picture instead of women. It would reassure the message since men were meant to be a controller/stronger gender and it was their “job” and English people would feel more threaten by it.

Women weren't supposed to bear arms, however in this picture “Miss Fanny’s Maid” it was totally against that idea. We don’t know whether it was a true woman or cross-dressing, from my own perspective, it showed how determined it was for Britain regarding the fight between two countries. Women as a weaker gene would readily support and join the army if the country needs them.  I think it was a good method to boost British army’s willpower and alert their enemy. If man was used in this picture, it wouldn't give the same effect because it was a norm for man to join army.

 During the war time, everyone suffered, however I feel woman was the one suffered the most; they gave up their man, their son, their brothers and their dad to country. As we know, the love of a woman are eternity and they would do anything to protect their son and their family. The picture “banner of Washington’s Life Guard” showed the strong bond/ teamwork, reliance between the commander and his military men (the woman). His military men would always their for him, be his body guard, love and trust his word and would sacrifice for him.

It was nice to put an image of woman instead of man to show the strong-bond between General Washington and his followers. Since man is known for insensitive (stereotype), and lack of emotion. It wouldn't show the feeling to attachment and the affection/friendship between two men aren't comparable with the relationship between a woman with her man, or her son/ her dad.  

As I have mentioned above, Britain “obeyed” the norm as undermining women’s work, however the Union-America used woman as in the picture to show the liberty. What is the liberty? It is a freedom. In my opinion, woman was used as a figure to reflect the Union’s unique value and will earn the freedom from Britain with their own uniqueness. 

White woman was a free-man however SHE was treated as a slave with all the inequalities, no voice and no involvement in everything. The message that I see from this image is, woman, she broke out from that model, trying to teach others to be like her, encourage these African-American to have better live, and teach them how to achieve that goal.