Rivals and the KKK
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#1: Rivals and the KKK Author: KateLocation: Ireland PostPosted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 7:20 pm


Has anyone read the Elsie book in which the KKK appear? I'm wondering why EBD seemed to think their doings so acceptable? If it's a very pro-KKK account or if it is just watered down enough to seem innoccous it may explain it - she may not have realised the full extent of what the KKK involved. Otherwise it seems very hard to reconcile the EBD of Exile with the EBD of Rivals.


#2:  Author: MiaLocation: London PostPosted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 7:43 pm


I don't think she thought they were acceptable... I think she was just using the secret society aspect of the KKK. She does write that 'the doings of that organisation shocked them all' (ie the girls after they read up on them) as a qualifier?

Dunno though - I've never read this in hb


#3:  Author: macyroseLocation: Great White North (Canada) PostPosted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 8:39 pm


The book the Klan appears in is Elsie's Motherhood which you can read online at Project Gutenberg. In the preface of the book it says:

Quote:
In compliance with the expressed desire of many of Elsie's friends and
admirers, the story of her life is continued in this, the fifth volume
of the series.

When about to undertake its preparation the suggestion was made to the
author that to bring in the doings of the Ku Klux would add interest to
the story, and at the same time give a truer picture of life in the
South during the years 1867-68 in which its events take place.

The published reports of the Congressional Committee of Investigation
were resorted to as the most reliable source of information, diligently
examined, and care taken not to go beyond the facts there given as
regards the proceedings of the Klan, the clemency and paternal acts of
the Government, or the kindly, fraternal feelings and deeds of the
people of the North toward their impoverished and suffering brethren of
the South.

These things have become matters of history: vice and crime should be
condemned wherever found; and naught has been set down in malice; for
the author has a warm love for the South as part and parcel of the dear
land of her birth.

May this child of her brain give pain to none, but prove pleasant and
profitable to all who peruse its pages, and especially helpful to young
parents,

M. F.


If you read the book you can see that Martha Finley is definitely anti-Klan.


#4:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 9:02 pm


Larking about in the archives (as you do) I found this thread Very Happy


#5:  Author: MiaLocation: London PostPosted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 9:22 pm


Oooh an Armada cut, nay, addition! For political correctness! Very Happy


#6:  Author: Alison HLocation: Manchester PostPosted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 9:26 pm


I think I started the original discussion, because I tend to spend ages reading American history! & thanks to Rowena Very Happy I have now got the Elsie book concerned, although I haven't had chance to read it yet. I'm inclined to think that the argument that EBD didn't really know what she was on about is closest to the mark, but I've never been very impressed with her going on about the KKK all the same.

I may be totally and utterly wrong here because I've only got a pb of Rivals, but isn't the bit about them being shocked something that was put in by Armada and wasn't in the original edition? ETA - yes, just read the original discussion properly Embarassed !

 




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