Dorothy A. Mays’ “Women In Early America” talks more about stay at home mothers & how women of that time interacted with text: Reading fiction played an important role in many women’s lives. In an era in which travel was difficult & the majority of women lived in isolated or provincial towns, escaping into the pages of a novel proved an exciting & broadening experience ... One woman would read aloud while her family members continued sewing or doing other household chores. Thus they were able to indulge in adventure stories without the stress of neglecting more “worthy” chores."
