What Diantha Did

What Diantha Did is a novel written by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, first published in 1910 by Charlton Company. The book is a sequel to Gilman's earlier work, Herland, and explores themes of feminism, socialism, and utopianism, similar to those found in the works of Edward Bellamy and Upton Sinclair. Gilman's writing was influenced by her involvement with the National Woman's Party and her friendships with notable figures such as Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. The novel has been compared to other works of the time, including those by Jack London and Theodore Dreiser.

Introduction

What Diantha Did is a novel that explores the life of Diantha Bell, a young woman who starts a cooperative housekeeping business, inspired by the ideas of Robert Owen and Charles Fourier. The book is set in the early 20th century, a time of great social change, with the Industrial Revolution in full swing and the women's suffrage movement gaining momentum, led by figures such as Alice Paul and Emily Davison. Gilman's work was influenced by her own experiences as a woman and a writer, as well as her interests in sociology and economics, which were shaped by her studies at the University of California, Berkeley and her involvement with the American Sociological Society. The novel has been praised for its insightful portrayal of the challenges faced by women during this period, including those faced by Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth.

Plot

The plot of What Diantha Did follows the story of Diantha Bell as she navigates the challenges of starting a new business and creating a more equitable society, inspired by the ideas of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. Along the way, she encounters a range of characters, including Mrs. Bell, her mother, who is a strong supporter of the women's suffrage movement, and Mr. Bell, her father, who is a socialist and a fan of the works of Eugene Debs and Mary Harris Jones. The novel also explores the relationships between Diantha and her friends, including Mrs. Porne and Mrs. Thorne, who are both involved in the settlement movement, which was inspired by the work of Jane Addams and Hull House. As Diantha works to build her business, she must confront the challenges of a society dominated by patriarchy and capitalism, which were critiqued by thinkers such as Thorstein Veblen and Vladimir Lenin.

Characters

The characters in What Diantha Did are well-developed and complex, with each one representing a different aspect of Gilman's vision for a more equitable society, which was influenced by the ideas of John Stuart Mill and Harriet Taylor Mill. Diantha Bell is the protagonist of the novel, a strong and independent woman who is determined to create a better world, inspired by the examples of Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Mrs. Bell is a supportive and nurturing figure, who encourages Diantha to pursue her dreams, much like the relationships between Emily Dickinson and her sister Lavinia Dickinson. Mr. Bell is a kind and gentle man, who is committed to the principles of socialism and feminism, which were also supported by figures such as Eugene Debs and Mary Harris Jones. The novel also features a range of secondary characters, including Mrs. Porne and Mrs. Thorne, who are both involved in the settlement movement, which was inspired by the work of Jane Addams and Hull House.

Themes

The themes of What Diantha Did are closely tied to Gilman's interests in feminism, socialism, and utopianism, which were influenced by the ideas of Charles Fourier and Robert Owen. The novel explores the challenges faced by women in a society dominated by patriarchy and capitalism, which were critiqued by thinkers such as Thorstein Veblen and Vladimir Lenin. It also examines the potential for cooperative housekeeping and other forms of socialism to create a more equitable society, inspired by the examples of Theodore Roosevelt and the Progressive Party. Throughout the novel, Gilman draws on a range of influences, including the works of Edward Bellamy and Upton Sinclair, as well as the ideas of John Stuart Mill and Harriet Taylor Mill. The novel has been praised for its insightful portrayal of the challenges faced by women during this period, including those faced by Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth.

Reception

What Diantha Did has been widely praised for its insightful portrayal of the challenges faced by women in the early 20th century, including those faced by Alice Paul and Emily Davison. The novel has been compared to other works of the time, including those by Jack London and Theodore Dreiser, and has been recognized as a classic of feminist literature, alongside works such as The Yellow Wallpaper and Herland. The novel has also been praised for its thoughtful exploration of the potential for cooperative housekeeping and other forms of socialism to create a more equitable society, inspired by the ideas of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. Today, What Diantha Did is recognized as an important work of American literature, and continues to be studied by scholars of feminism, socialism, and utopianism, including those at Harvard University and University of California, Berkeley. Category:American novels