Darlene Hernandez
Professor Sule
English 1301 – Composition 1
16 October 2018
Women Frequently Misunderstand this Quote
People have stumbled upon a quote that is unfortunately misinterpreted by many across the world. The quote, written by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, was originally written for an article about how women were characterized in puritan funeral sermons but turned into an empowering quote used on t – shirts, mugs, and tote bags all over the world.
Ulrich has even written a book explaining several possibilities of why the quote became extremely well-known it also explores why women who behave unexpectedly contribute to history more often. The very admired slogan, offers a chance to empower women all over the world in a exceptional way. Women in the past who broke stereotypes made a further important mark than women with average, ordinary attitudes.
The intended meaning behind the slogan is that it's the title of her book. When the slogan becomes out of context, it is used as activism and usually in a negative behavior. The reasons that women’s lives have limited representation in history, is because the stereotype and expectations from a women is that they act submissive to men and act “ladylike” and proper. Not only breaking these rules will make help a women make history, but also doing something that has great meaning will make a long lasting effect. It is though outrageous when a women refuses to simply follow the rules and act contrasting to rather than willing to pursue the stereotype.
When looking upon research there came across plenty of t-shirts that acquired the slogan, the case may be that there are women suggesting or making a point just by wearing a simple shirt, in addition to feeling empowered and having the attitude and the capability to do anything.
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Fig. 1. Picture shows a woman showing off the slogan on a shirt (Etsy)
The first picture promotes the quote on a gray tank top shirt on a woman’s body, including the authors name on the bottom, delivering credit to her. The shirt looks basic, but the quote being predominant to the shirt, makes it a must have for women who are looking for something encouraging in their wardrobe. Many companies have taken this quote into their manufacturing (even without Ulrichs permission) and have made and sold thousands of shirts all because of Ulrichs inspirational quote and how it gravitates women all around the world.
In the picture the woman is also in a power stance presenting the shirt and giving the appearance of a powerful woman, in order to attract more customers and persuade them into buying the piece of clothing. It's also giving the illusion that the slogan on the shirt made her feel motivated.
On the second figure, there are two coffee travel mugs standing side by side with the quote printed on them in black and the other one on gold, for people who prefers one over the other. The slogan is written in cursive and print to give it a “Feminine” taste to it.
(Fig 2. Two cups side by side each other with ulrichs slogan in different fonts and colors(Etsy)
At this point most of the companies that sell these items, do not to help encourage women, but just to get a quick buck out of it. Ulrich has stated that a woman named Jill Portugal switched the word “seldom” to “rarely” to sell t-shirts that turned out to be the best selling item on her website. Portugal's company “one angry girls design” happens to be one of the only few companies to ask her for permission to Ulrich to use her slogan to print on her t – shirts. Portugal's company is also devoted to end sexual harassment, rape and ridiculous beauty standards. There are not too many companies that are actually concerned and dedicated to helping and giving awareness to complications that women have.
In the fig. 3 there is a handbag with a feminine face figure without ears, hair, and nose. The picture has a beauty mark pointed right between below the eye and above the mouth with red luscious lips and cat eye glasses printed on a white handbag.
Fig. A woman’s handbag with eyes, a pair of glasses, and red lips
Ulrichs quote is commonly associated with rebellion and feminism. “People express such surprise when they discover that women have a history. It is liberating that the past can not be reduced to such stereotypes,” says Ulrich in a interview for the Harvard gazette, in this quote she shows that when a woman is set free from a situation where she is restricted and breaks the ideal standard that a woman is held to, it makes a strong effect on history.
When people want to show the desire to resist control and authority they are encouraged to display their opinions in many ways like by wearing a shirt, or drinking out of a travel mug with gold writing, or even carrying a tote bag with Ulrich's quote on it. Many consumers may perceive these products with the slogan as a approach to display their beliefs on being stereotyped and the principle of behavior that women have to go through every day. The point Ulrich originally made was about how women were characterized in puritan funeral sermons, she certainly didn’t mean it to be well known and favorited by all around the world. Even Ulrich herself claims that its was her “accidental fame”.
In conclusion, when people slap the phrase on T-shirts and travel mugs, they use it as a way to demonstrate their rebellion, and not for the actual meaning of history always overlooking women that weren’t disruptive. Her intended meaning certainly does not get as much attention as the one taken out of context.
Citations
Harvard gazette https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2007/09/ulrich-explains-that-well-behaved-women-should-make-history/
Ulrich ,Laurel Thatcher, “Well- Behaved Women Seldom Make History”