S A M P L E N A R R A T I O N S
During a week of exams, the following question was asked: "Queen Victoria, DeTocqueville, Stanton, Marx, the Missouri Compromise speakers, and Darwin: select two and have them converse or argue with each other as to what the most important issue of their day is (from their own point of view)."
Bethany (age 16) submitted this creative narration in response:
Elizabeth Cady Stanton vs. Karl Marx
Ms. Stanton walks into a cafe where she sees Mr. Marx seated. He has just finished a lecture on communism, and she has recently read the Manifesto which he wrote on his party. On approaching his table, Ms. Stanton begins, "Mr. Marx, I presume?"
"Yes, this is he - and who might I be addressing?"
"Ms. Elizabeth Stanton, sir."
"I'm pleased to make your acquaintance, I'm sure."
After shaking her extended hand, and motioning for her to sit down with him, Marx begins, "Ms. Stanton, I'm sure you're not merely here to watch me eat, is there something I can do for you? Have you come on personal business or upon the interest of my party? Perhaps you would be interested in the Manifesto that my party has put together..."
"Yes, Mr. Marx, I am interested in your Manifesto, and that is what I sought to speak to you about. I have read it, you see, and..."
With that, Marx waved over a waitress and ordered Stanton a tea.
"I see! Well, I can tell by your mannerisms, clothes, and by the lilt of your voice that you are not from around here. Can it be that your husband is interested in becoming a Communist himself? Or perhaps in spreading this novelty in his own city? If you would be so kind as to me a place where I could contact him..."
"That, Mr. Marx, is precisely what I wish to speak with you about!"
"My dear lady, I did not wish to sound like a salesman, I am not selling anything, you needn't be so brusque! I'm merely excited about something which I hold very dear to me..."
"As am I, Mr. Marx. Now if you will let me get a word in I shall tell you what I have come to say?"
After a yielding raise of his hands, and a mock bow of his head, Marx motioned for Stanton to continue.
"What I have come to say should be of some interest to you, sir. You are an advocate of equality, are you not?"
"Why, yes I am."
"Well then, sir, you should empathize with my plight; to be precise, the plight of all women."
"I see, Ms. Stanton, you are of the Women's Suffrage movement..."
"Please, sir, let me say my peace before you interrupt with a premature answer. As I said, this should be of some interest to you."
"Please continue, Ms. Stanton."
"Mr. Marx, I have read the Manifesto which you have written for your Communist Party. It was very intriguing to me to read of someone going to such lengths to promote equality, and I felt it in my best interest to speak with you in person. You say there has never been a time or place where all people were considered equal. You have stated that there have always been kings and paupers, masters and slaves, governors and servants."
"Yes."
"I agree. It is so in the States, as well. You have said that men come and go into power who make laws, laws by which all men must live by, and the men who must abide by these laws have no say in choosing the lawmaker."
"I understand that is not so in your country, but..."
"May I please finish?"
"Of course."
"Thank you. You are correct, sir, in saying that it is not so in my country. The United States are governed by men who are chosen by men; that is the problem. It is only the men who are the governors. Beyond that, it is only the men who are allowed to choose the governors, but it is men and women who must live under these governors."
"Madam, if I may say, though our causes have similarities, there is no question that they are of utterly different categories! I am speaking of classes, not gender. I am speaking of a battle of races, not sexes! While I understand your frustration I must insist that coming to me to be an advocate for your cause is entirely unreasonable."
"And why is that, Mr. Marx? You speak of upper and lower classes, of the respected and the respectful. Well let me tell you something, sir. Through the ages there may have been different classes, but there has also been different genders. Some say the stronger and the weaker; I say they are like a storefront and a store. One contains the goods and the other just wants everyone to think it does. The men who are in office today would not be there without the education, rearing and caring that his mother gave him. Men would be nowhere without their mothers, yet when they finally get somewhere, they walk on women all of the way to get there! You speak of assumed duties. Well, there are those same things in the home, I can assure you! It is assumed by men that the women will clean for, feed, and entertain them. Tell me, where it is written that such is the way that things must be? I do not wish to place my husband behind the cradle as some have suggested I do - I merely want to be allotted the right to vote; the right to own land, the right to keep my children and home if my husband decides I no longer please him. Tell me, is that asking so much?!"
"Ms. Stanton, one reason that women don't vote is because of what you just did. You look at minutia and think you understand a whole novel. You would look at one aspect of a candidate and decide by that one aspect that he is not fir for the office he seeks to acquire. If that is your standard you will never be able to do anything for your cause! You have read a footnote - now let me tell you the story that you missed."
For a moment everything was still. All that could be heard was the murmur of low voices from around the cafe. Then Marx began again:
"From time inconceivable there has been authority. There has always been a hierarchy, and, as you so distinctly pointed out, there have always been men and women. I see that things have to change. But to try to change a woman's position in a home, when there are still towns, cities, realms, states, and countries that need to re-prioritize, is like trying to change a detail in an unfinished painting. Think, woman! No one would have that coveted right to vote if the signers of your beloved Declaration hadn't overlooked details that they quarreled over. There would be no United States of America. I respect the vigor and emotion which you put into your cause, but perhaps we should finish the painting before we try to change it!"
With that, the waitress came over and placed their bill on the table. Both Marx and Stanton were a little less cool and a little less poised than when they had arrived. Marx took the bill and began to reach for his wallet - when he hesitated, replacing it.
"Shall I let the man of the house take it?"
