Post #2 Uncultured Swine

The American Activists were viewed as loose, wild and uncultured people whose "patriotism" was an unproductive waste of time and a distraction from their daily routines society set forth. Further, the British felt that once the women became involved, the colonies would become a dangerous and riotous place, once they lost sight of their womanly duties such as care for personal appearance and raising children. The cartoon clearly shows the distaste and disgust the author had for these women by their dress, the mixing of the races (proper women would never be seen with African Americans in a public setting), the animals running wild; and illusion to the women being no better than animals, and the abundance of gin.

In the British painting "The Women of Edenton," the patriotic women were portrayed as loose and easily manipulated individuals. These women were soon to be the founding cliché of Americans, in Britain. The woman in the middle of the portrait is being groped upon by a man; he has his hand on the woman’s breast, and there is not a trace of shock or embarrassment on the woman’s face. The symbol of the man’s hand, effortlessly rested on the woman’s chest, symbolizes the ease in which each one of these women could be controlled, or so to say “used.” The middle woman also serves a great purpose in the overall portrayal of American society. As you can see the woman is facing towards the man on her right side, rather than her feathered pen. This example shows that the woman isn’t paying much attention to what she is signing, but in fact paying more attention to the man groping her.

While continuing to examine the portrait, you catch on to more of the British views towards patriotic Americans, such as their lack of fine behavior. In the 18th century, African American’s did not have a place in colonial society. Their dark skin marked them as less-than-human, they were slaves not colonials. As slaves, they were not treated as humans but rather as property without compassion or care. In the “Women of Edenton” the British artist portrays uncultured colonists interacting with African Americans. The fact that these patriotic women included the African American woman in their meeting shows that the women have lost sight of their place in society and are truly the “uncultured American colonists.” In fact, the Americans were not depicted correctly by the cartoon in the least. This underestimation of the colonists would lead to the revolutionary war.

The American Patriots are portrayed as wild and careless. They are represented by the "Women of Edenton" cartoon with various symbols carefully inserted into the cartoon. The unattended child with food spilled under the table, and the unhygienic dog licking him show a careless and wild side of women. It is apparent that they have forgotten their basic duties. They are depicted as a bunch of wild people who do not have any idea what they are doing. It also shows the trivial nature of the scene where a group of people are enjoying a wild party, instead of being serious and signing an important document. The most important message that the artist is trying to convey is that the patriots seem to be more focused on having a good time, than in engaging in politics.

By examining this cartoon, “The Women of Edenton,” you soon find out that the British opinion of American patriots was not very uplifting. The British saw the Americans as foolish, vulgar, and unaware of the seriousness of politics. It is obvious how the British felt about the Americans. This condescending attitude and underestimation of the Americans by the British, would be a serious mistake in the future.

In the British painting "The Women of Edenton," the patriotic women were portrayed as loose and easily manipulated individuals. These women were soon to be the founding cliché of Americans, in Britain. The woman in the middle of the portrait is being groped upon by a man; he has his hand on the woman’s breast, and there is not a trace of shock or embarrassment on the woman’s face. The symbol of the man’s hand, effortlessly rested on the woman’s chest, symbolizes the ease in which each one of these women could be controlled, or so to say “used.” The middle woman also serves a great purpose in the overall portrayal of American society. As you can see the woman is facing towards the man on her right side, rather than her feathered pen. This example shows that the woman isn’t paying much attention to what she is signing, but in fact paying more attention to the man groping her.

While continuing to examine the portrait, you catch on to more of the British views towards patriotic Americans, such as their lack of fine behavior. In the 18th century, African American’s did not have a place in colonial society. Their dark skin marked them as less-than-human, they were slaves not colonials. As slaves, they were not treated as humans but rather as property without compassion or care. In the “Women of Edenton” the British artist portrays uncultured colonists interacting with African Americans. The fact that these patriotic women included the African American woman in their meeting shows that the women have lost sight of their place in society and are truly the “uncultured American colonists.” In fact, the Americans were not depicted correctly by the cartoon in the least. This underestimation of the colonists would lead to the revolutionary war.

The American Patriots are portrayed as wild and careless. They are represented by the "Women of Edenton" cartoon with various symbols carefully inserted into the cartoon. The unattended child with food spilled under the table, and the unhygienic dog licking him show a careless and wild side of women. It is apparent that they have forgotten their basic duties. They are depicted as a bunch of wild people who do not have any idea what they are doing. It also shows the trivial nature of the scene where a group of people are enjoying a wild party, instead of being serious and signing an important document. The most important message that the artist is trying to convey is that the patriots seem to be more focused on having a good time, than in engaging in politics.

By examining this cartoon, “The Women of Edenton,” you soon find out that the British opinion of American patriots was not very uplifting. The British saw the Americans as foolish, vulgar, and unaware of the seriousness of politics. It is obvious how the British felt about the Americans. This condescending attitude and underestimation of the Americans by the British, would be a serious mistake in the future.