“Her Finer Instincts”: The Women in Thoreau’s Life

[FirstParishinConcord]

“Her Finer Instincts”: The Women in Thoreau’s Life
A Presentation by Prof. Sandra Petrulionis
Followed by Light Refreshments
Friday, October 20, Parish Hall

The Transcendentalism Council of First Parish in Concord and the Women’s Parish Association are delighted to bring this event to Concord. Thoreau isn’t usually known for flattering comments about women. Yet during his life, he enjoyed close relations with many women of all ages, including his sisters Sophia and Helen Thoreau; his several aunts; the wives and daughters of friends, such as Lidian, Ellen, and Edith Emerson, and Louisa May Alcott; and elderly mentors like Mary Moody Emerson and Sarah Alden Bradford Ripley. From studies of natural history and philosophical readings, to antislavery activism and surrogate parenting, Thoreau’s friendship with these and other women was both profound and mutually inspiring. Everyone is cordially invited to attend this event to find out what Thoreau valued in these relationships and what these women said about his influential role in their lives and in their community. Suggested free will donation: $5 at the door. Reservations are not required, but are appreciated for planning purposes. Contact Dian Pekin at pek...@comcast.net by October 19.

Prof. Petrulionis is Distinguished Professor of English and American Studies at Pennsylvania State University, Altoona. Among other works, she is the author of To Set This World Right: The Antislavery Movement in Thoreau’s Concord and the editor of Thoreau In His Own Time. With Dr. Noelle Baker, she is currently editing The Almanacks of Mary Moody Emerson: A Scholarly Digital Edition.