The Letters of a Victorian Madwoman (Women's Diaries and Letters of the South)

Rating:
Summary: Plight of Southern women in the Victorian South
Review: This book contrary to the note attached to the title notation that it is "womens" diarys and letters. It deals with one indiviual Andrew Sheffield daughter of (yes daughter) James L Sheffield Confererate Colonel,Senator and politican from Marshall County Alabama. Andrew was committed to Bryce Hospital the State Asylum at Tuscaloosa by her father and stepbrother who was the probate judge in Marshall Co at the time. It is doubtful that she was insane, however she had disgraced the family by having an affair and committing an attemped act of arson at the request of her lover Dr William May. James Sheffield shot Dr May for dishonoring his family, he was arrested but no billed. When it became apparent that Andrew was to be tried for attemped arson. She was commited to Bryce. This book is almost entirely composed of letters written by Andrew from the time of her commitment until her death in 1920. She wrote to her father and brother as long as her father lived begging to be released and allowed to stand trial for her "criminal act". She over the years wrote long intelligent and lucid letters to all the Govenors who served during her confinment. Several considered releasing her,however her family was well connected enough to keep her there. It is very painful and depressing reading these letters, however it very clearly reflects the total lack of control women had over their lives in this period. It is interesting to note that her father this pillar of the community had a second family only a few miles away by his long time mistress. A very interesting example of the double standards of the period.