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From “The Journal of Madam Knight”

From “The Journal of Madam Knight”. Sarah Kemble Knight 1666-1727. Why is this so important?. Why was it unusual in 1704 for a woman to make a business trip from Boston to New York and back? Travel at this time meant hours on horseback through woods and across streams.

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From “The Journal of Madam Knight”

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  1. From “The Journal of Madam Knight” Sarah Kemble Knight 1666-1727

  2. Why is this so important? • Why was it unusual in 1704 for a woman to make a business trip from Boston to New York and back? • Travel at this time meant hours on horseback through woods and across streams. • Enough “To startle a more masculine courage.”

  3. The Journal • In the first entry in her journal, Madam Knight describes an episode that fills her with terror. • What is this episode? • A description of her fear of drowning while crossing the hazardous river. • Why is this significant? • A contradiction of “masculine courage”

  4. The Journal • Other elements that frightened: • “…tormented with visions of drowning” (42). • In dread of “dolesome woods” (43). • Darkness is terrifying (43).

  5. The Journal • What is the purpose served by Madam Knight’s thoughts on the sight of the moon? • Diversion from the uneasiness. • The moon is the goddess Cynthia, who makes old hag, Night, loosen her cloak. Woods are filled with light, and Knight with joy. (43) • Identify examples of this uneasiness throughout her journal.

  6. The Journal • What are Madam Knight’s impressions of: • Marriage customs in New Haven • People married young and at public weddings. • The bridegroom left and was dragged back by the bridesmaid (46). • Religious customs in New York • People were not strict in keeping the Sabbath • They were sociable to one another and courteous to strangers. • She seems struck by unusual holidays and games (45) • Makes special mention of fashions (47) and popularity of sleigh riding (48).

  7. The Journal • From what point of view did Madam Knight observe her experiences on the journey from Boston to New York? • From that of a well-educated city person • What signs of her reading appear in her journal? • Alludes to Cynthia and Neredies from mythology (43) • She imagines a sumptuous city like those in stories (44) • Reminded of the Olympics (45)

  8. The Journal • How does Madam Knight’s city upbringing affect the way she sees “Bumpkin Simpers” and “Joan Tawdry”? • To her they look ridiculous because they lack education.

  9. The Journal • How does Madam Knight challenge the “times”?

  10. Writing and Responding to Literature • Paraphrase the following passage so that it is easier to understand: • I cannot express the concern of mind this relation set me in: no thoughts but those of the dangerous river could entertain my imagination, and they were as formidable as various, still tormenting me with blackest ideas of my approaching fate – sometimes seeing myself drowning, otherwhiles drowned, and at the best like a holy sister just come out of a spiritual bath in dripping garments. (Knight 42)

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