| Fanny Fern, the nom-de-plume of Sara Payson Willis Parton, the first woman newspaper columnist, is most often recognized as one of the leading women authors of her time for her extensive writing on feminist issues. In addition to feminist issues, Fern also addressed the closely related issue of children's rights. She was able to do so by addressing what Grace Greenwood called "a true motherhood of the heart." Fern did this by explaining in her newspaper articles how parents, especially mothers, should treat their children, how society should educate children, and how society should care for orphans Fern wrote most of these articles in the sentimental genre. Through the use of the sentimental genre Fern was able to publish articles that were often on the verge of being radical. I examine how Fern employs the techniques of sentimentality, irony, satire, and wit to influence society's view of children and child rearing practices in the 1800s. |
