Primary+Source+2


 * Primary Source 2:

Source: //The Lowell Offering//. N.d. //Berwick Academy//. Web. 3 Nov. 2009. . ** This is a picture from the cover of a monthly journal that was written by the workers of Lowell Mills, called //The Lowell Offering//. This picture suggests the idea that Lowell Mills was more than just a work place for women. The book in the girl’s hand shows that Lowell Mills wanted to give or seem like they wanted to give the young women some kind of education and it shows an encouragement of their increasing roles in society. The lush ground and the blooming flowers around her also suggests this idea of Lowell Mills being more than a work place, especially for women, and more of a place for growth. The mill is in the background, while the girl is in the foreground, and this shows how the increasing roles of women were seen as very important in comparison to the work. This picture suggests that the women gained confidence as they worked at Lowell. This seems to have made them feel as if they now had an important role, with the girl being the main part of the picture and the emphasis of women and girls writing it. So not only did the market revolution instill more confidence in America overall, but it also increased the confidence of women, by making them part of America’s success. Also, the name of the journal, especially the word “offering” suggest that Lowell was the reason for this change in the constructions of freedom. As if they were offering the girls this social change. The picture is showing an image of a threshold between Lowell and the outside world, advertising Lowell as the place for girls to grow. And the emphasis on the fact that this was written by factory girls also shows how this was meant to encourage girls to work there while at the same time, changing gender roles. So this showed other women what changes Lowell had to offer, and showing the rest of the country the change in gender constructions with the market revolution.

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