With Her in Ourland: Sequel to Herland (Contributions in Women's Studies)

Two works in one, this volume contains the full text of With Her in Ourland by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, as well as an illuminating sociological analysis by Mary Jo Deegan with the assistance of Michael R. Hill. Ourland is the sequel to Gilman's acclaimed feminist utopian novel Herland ; both were published in her journal, The Forerunner , in 1915 and 1916. Ourland resumes the adventures of ^IHerland^R's protagonists, Ellador and Van, but turns from utopian fantasy to a challenging analysis of contemporary social fissures in his land , or the real world. The republication of Herland as a separate novel in 1979 revived critical interest in Gilman's work but truncated the larger aims implicit in the ^IHerland/Ourland^R saga, leaving an erroneous understanding of Gilman's other/better half of the story, in which it is suggested that strong women can resocialize men to be nurturant and cooperative. Gilman's choice of a sexually integrated society in With Her in Ourland provides us with her answer to her ideal society, but her foray into a woman-only society as a corrective to a male dominated one is a controversial option. The challenging message of Ourland , however, does not impede the pleasure of reading it as a novel. Though known more for her fiction today, Gilman in her time was a recognized and accomplished sociologist who admired Lester F. Ward and frequently visited Jane Addams of Chicago's Hull-House. The male protagonist in Herland/Ourland , Van, is a sociologist, used by Gilman as a foil on which to skewer the assumptions and practices of patriarchal sociology. The interpretation presented here, which adopts a sociological viewpoint, is invaluable reading for scholars and students of sociology, American women's studies, and utopian literature. Two works in one, this volume contains the full text of With Her in Ourland by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, as well as an illuminating sociological analysis by Mary Jo Deegan with the assistance of Michael R. Hill. Ourland is the sequel to Gilman's acclaimed feminist utopian novel Herland ; both were published in her journal, The Forerunner , in 1915 and 1916. Ourland resumes the adventures of Herland 's protagonists, Ellador and Van, but turns from utopian fantasy to a challenging analysis of contemporary social fissures in "his land," or the real world. The republication of Herland as a separate novel in 1979 revived critical interest in Gilman's work but truncated the larger aims implicit in the Herland / Ourland saga, leaving an erroneous understanding of Gilman's other/better half of the story, in which it is suggested that strong women can resocialize men to be nurturant and cooperative. Gilman's choice of a sexually integrated society in With Her in Ourland provides us with her answer to her ideal society, but her foray into a woman-only society as a corrective to a male dominated one is a controversial option. The challenging message of Ourland , however, does not impede the pleasure of reading it as a novel. Though known more for her fiction today, Gilman in her time was a recognized and accomplished sociologist who admired Lester F. Ward and frequently visited Jane Addams of Chicago's Hull-House. The male protagonist in Herland / Ourland , Van, is a sociologist, used by Gilman as a foil on which to skewer the assumptions and practices of patriarchal sociology. The interpretation presented here, which adopts a sociological viewpoint, is invaluable reading for scholars and students of sociology, American women's studies, and utopian literature. Sequel to **Herland**. Published serially in the author's monthly magazine, *Forerunner*, volume 7 (1916). **Herland** described an all-women utopia in a secluded high valley, where 3 adventurous young men visit by airplane. Eventually, 2 of the 3 are expelled, along with a young Herland woman who has married one of the men. **With Her in Ourland** continues as the husband and wife tour the world outside of Herland, interviewing people, taking notes and photographs, and discussing history, religions, war, child-rearing, the role of women, treatment of immigrants, women's suffrage, and more. The two novels together convey the author's social criticisms of our world at her time and her prescriptions to improve the human condition in the United States. Contents......Page 8 Introduction: Gilman's Sociological Journey from Herland to Ourland......Page 10 With Her in Ourland: Sequel to Herland......Page 68 1. The Return......Page 70 2. War......Page 80 3. A Journey of Inspection......Page 92 4. Nearing Home......Page 104 5. My Country......Page 114 6. The Diagnosis......Page 124 7. In Our Homes......Page 134 8. More Diagnosis......Page 146 9. [Democracy and Economics]......Page 156 10. [Race and Religion]......Page 168 11. [Feminism and the Woman's Movement]......Page 180 12. [Conclusion]......Page 192 C......Page 204 G......Page 205 J......Page 206 M......Page 207 W......Page 208 Introduction : Gilman's Sociological Journey From Herland To Ourland / Mary Jo Deegan -- With Her In Ourland : Sequel To Herland. The Return ; War ; A Journey Of Inspection ; Nearing Home ; My Country ; The Diagnosis ; In Our Homes ; More Diagnosis ; [democracy And Economics] ; [race And Religion] ; [feminism And The Woman's Movement] ; [conclusion] Charlotte Perkins Gilman ; Edited By Mary Jo Deegan And Michael R. Hill ; With An Introduction By Mary Jo Deegan. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 51-57) And Index.