TEASER TUESDAYS is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading and asks you to:
My Tuesday/Wednesday tease for this week is a quote within a quote:
Cultivate your capacity for companionship, for it is one of men’s fundamental goals in marriage. During courtship, your husband thought you a desirable companion. Do you give him reason to think so still?
-”Making Marriage Work,” Ladies Home Journal, March 1950
This is from Ellen Baker’s delightful family saga Keeping the House. She starts each of the “main” chapters (set in 1950) with a real quote from a housekeeping magazine article of the era. It’s not a sample of Ellen’s writing (stay tuned for the review for that), but it gives a good indication of the expectations faced by a “housewife” in those days.
Raise your hand if you’re glad we’re not living in 1950!
My hand is raised! :}
Uggghhh. It’s great if you’re naturally companionable, but to have to “cultivate” it???
I love the 1950s when it comes to TV shows, music, and sometimes fashions but I doubt I could make it in that era!
Whew – I’m definitely glad!
My hand’s raised. Companionship in a marriage is important., but “cultivating” and as if it’s all the wife’s responsibility.
Too funny! Interesting that your teaser captured a vintage idea…mine did, too, this week. I excerpted from “Don’t Blame The Mirror” by V. Graham, a 1960s beauty How-to book.
Can you see my raised hand!
This reminds me of Doris Lessing´s biography. She says (my free translation from Danish), “People who talk about the ´good old days´ are usually those who had nothing to worry about”
Nicole – yes, I can see it all the way up here!
Shana – the author pulled the quotes from *real* guides to the period; this isn’t her opinion (or anyone’s these days, right?)
Ladytink – I wonder the same thing … I don’t think I’d have been any good in those “good old days”
Swapna – so far, the “no”s have it!
Carol – I feel the same way about any relationship between adults (I’m thinking female friendships). It has to be somewhat even, with both people contributing to the relationship.
Karen H – Oooh, is that for research? I find humor in those old manuals. I wonder what my grandchildren will think about the way I live my life!
Dorte – that’s true! Great the the biography stuck with you enough to remember that quote … who wrote the book?