Scholars Day: April 15, 2009

Women of the American Revolution as Portrayed by James Fennimore Cooper in "The Spy"

A close examination of James Fennimore Cooper's novel, "The Spy," published in 1821, reveals the complexity of the female experience during the Revolutionary era. In some ways, Cooper's description of women reflects facets of historical scholarship. In other ways, however, he fails to incorporate valid interpretations of the period. For example, Cooper illustrates claims made by historians such as Linda Kerber and Michael McDonnell regarding the concept of republican motherhood and social attitudes toward politically engaged women; yet, he not include the perspective of historian Margaret A. Nash who claimed that women displayed an obvious confidence despite the limitations of their environment.