February 12: Disability celebrities
Read:
Freeberg, The Education of Laura Bridgman, ch. 3-5
Please answer one of the following questions:
1) What does Bridgman’s fame suggest about the meaning of disability in mid-nineteenth century America?
2) How would you characterize Howe’s and Bridgman’s relationship? How would you describe the power dynamics? What does this suggest about institution life?
3) Alternatively, you can summarize in several sentences (or possibly a short paragraph each) your “muddiest point(s)” in Freeberg.
I think that Dr. Freeberg made it very clear that for these people, Laura’s disability was a morality issue. Her virtues were praised as well as her diligence. They flocked to see how someone so “afflicted” could be in such high spirits and then later would use her story as a reminder to be thankful for what they were blessed with. This singular example causes me to believe that they were only interested in disabilities if there was a phenomenon or if the person with the disability was working on “fixing” their disability (and being successful, unlike the girl from the Hartford Asylum).
While the public acknowledged Bridgman’s disability, they only did so in the context of making her accomplishments seem that much more astonishing. Most of that perception probably stemmed from Howe’s presentation of her studiousness and virtues, but I think it also came from the idea that disabilities were something that could be overcome. The public wanted to hold her up as an example of what human ingenuity could accomplish, much like Howe wanted to hold her up as an example of human moral purity regardless of all of the facts.
One can conclude from the Freeberg text that the specifics of Laura Bridgman’s fame were indicative of changing perceptions of disability in antebellum America. The consensus seems to have been that a person with a disability was either a freak, or a shinning example of the potential for American ingenuity and triumph. The fear of disability was partially tempered by scientific interest, religious and humanitarian sympathy, and enlightened admiration for development, change, growth, progress. The ideal of the “romantic reform” and the “romantic allegory” demonstrate these changing social views (pp 53-56). In the case of Laura Bridgman, she was not viewed as a freak only because she demonstrated the capacity for change, progress, and development. If not for this, she would have been considered the frightening, fascinating Other, despite, if not in spite of, the enlightenment movement.
Additionally, the concept of the great American allegory is highlighted by Freeberg. Laura Bridgman was perceived to be the embodiment of the “afflicted yet triumphant” (p55), of one who was able to “rise above adversity” (p55), and of “the power of individual effort” (p56). Furthermore, Laura reminded those many who studied her that they ought to have been more grateful for their preserved senses. Their sensory capacities were not to be taken for granted, and in fact, the afflicted seem to have been put on this earth for the sole purpose of reminding the able bodied individual of how very fortunate s/he was. This Western ideological, allegorical trope seems to have been prevalent throughout mid-nineteenth century America, and likely continues to exist for many even into our very own age.
I believe Bridgman’s fame suggest that she was a symbol of hope for families and friends of those with disabilities. With the help of the Perkin’s School, Laura made a strong argument for persons with disabilities that through hard work and individual effort, they too, could overcome adversity and be a contributing member of society. Laura was often used as example of how one could overcome adversity, regardless of their circumstances, as long as one was diligent in making the most of the gifts they had. Laura continually awed school visitors and readers with her sincerity and tenacity and ultimately her accomplishments achieved by her hard work. Disabilities were only hindering to one as they allowed them to be, not nearly as life ending as some would have previously assumed.
As Freeberg explains, “… repeatedly held up to children as a model of Victorian virtue, of happiness in the face of adversity, of gratitude for the blessings of health, of the importance of hard work and individual effort”. (Freeberg p.56) Bridgman’s fame proved throughout her early years that those with disabilities extensive as her own could be a source of encouragement and served as a continual reminder of how blessed and privileged those without any form of disability were.
I believe that Bridgman’s fame suggests that people were beginning to change their attitudes toward disability. I agree with Erin that people with disabilities were either seen as freaks or viewed as an example of American perseverance. However I also believe that many people viewed Laura Bridgman as well as the other students at the Perkins Institute as nothing more than scientific curiosities to be analyzed. This is made abundantly clear by the repeated references to the “science” of phrenology. Add to the fact that Howe is constantly subjecting his students to public exhibitions, and it is abundantly clear that he is interested in them only because of what they are now able to do because of him. His inability to listen to complaints about his methods from parents illustrates to me that he has very little concern for his students as people.
2. I would characterize Dr. Howe and Bridgman’s relationship as a good one. Having her live in the facility under his care she would have to trust him. He was able to educate her even though she was both deaf and blind. That was such an impressive accomplishment during that time. I got the sense that she knew who was the authority figure so she respected him as her teacher. I don’t think she would’ve gone as far if she wasn’t able to get along with him. She was so comfortable at the institution that she forgot her own parent’s for a little bit. If she wasn’t happy there she would’ve shown it and she could’ve been resistant to learning things as quickly as she did. Her story shows how beneficial institution’s were to disabled people. They can teach someone, who has an impairment, things they need to know in life. Because of the success that Bridgman had, in learning, she attracted the attention of many people around the world. They couldn’t believe that someone with her impairment’s was able to be as happy as she was so in turn that reflected highly on the place she was at.
I think the meaning of disability in the mid nineteenth century showed that people were interested in something they did not know. They wanted to see someone they thought could not do anything show that they were capable of doing something. When they saw Laura or any of the blind children performing at their exhibitions they were amazed to see them learning and understanding what the learned. It showed people wanted to believe that someone with a disability could be more like them.
2.) Howe and Bridgeman had a very interesting relationship. She was completely dependent upon him and he was dependent upon her accomplishments to gain his own fame and further the causes in which he was most interested. In chapter 3, there is a description of Laura Bridgeman’s first encounter with her mother after 6 months. At first, Laura was indifferent to her mother. Howe states, “the distress of the mother was painful to behold.” After a while, Laura began to “recognize” and embrace her mother. Laura Bridgeman was Howe’s “shining star.” The author states, “the wide public facination with Laura Bridgeman was due not just to the remarkable accomplishments of the young student but also the skillful public relations campaign of her teacher.” In a way, like many celebrities. Laura was exploited in order for others to gain notoriety. Dr. Howe said that he loved her like a daughter and used every chance to promote her accomplishments. Laura’s accomplishments were written about so frequently by Dr. Howe that her fame spread worldwide. She was even visited by Charles Dickens. Thomas Carlyle questioned whether the growing interest in Laura would spoil her purity of spirit and dimish her sincerity. Howe shared the concern about the attention heaped upon Laura but also believed that frequent visitors and exposure served a greater good and gave Laura much happiness and helped to fully develop her mind. Howe later moved Laura into his home to help monitor her exposure to society. He said that he was “very much attached to Laura” and that he loved her as if she were his own child. Because Howe wrote such glowing reports about Laura’s progress and gained such widespread personal support and notoriety, few actually questioned his data or Laura’s actual progress. The author stated, “each week themail, the press, and public exhibitions brought Howe fresh reminders that his own success was intimately tied to the public’s facination with Laura Bridgeman.” Dr. Howe was a firm believer in phrenology (physical, intellectual, moral development) and used Laura’s development to further develop his cause. Laura followed a strict schedule at the Perkins school which included educational, moral, and physical development. Laura’s kindness and delight seemed to offer constant proof of the benefits of phrenology. Howe wrote over and over about the “profound goodness” of Laura Bridgeman, though teachers and others offered other accounts. It seems as though he might have glossed over some inconsistencies in order to continue to promote his beliefs and further his fame. Chapter 5 states, “Howe did not present his readers with a balanced objective about all the facts of Laura’s development.” The power in the relationship was with Dr. Howe. He controlled all aspects of her life, which is consistent about asylum life in that time period. Laura Bridgeman did not know that she actually held the power herself.
I believe that Bridgman’s fame suggests that people were interested in what they didn’t understand. Since she was the first person both deaf and blind to be taught how to communicate and learn, people were fascinated. When I was reading the sections covering her popularity, I couldn’t help but think of fairs that advertise the “2 headed alligator” or whatever abnormal thing it might be. This fascination really hasn’t changed today. You still see shows and documentaries highlighting “medical marvels”. Howe used Laura’s fame to gain attention for himself and the school.
Laura Bridgman’s fame in the nineteenth century shows that the view of Disabilities was very similar in respect to how the whole of Disability is viewed today by a large number of people. That is, it is viewed as a trail to be overcome, and the fact that Laura Bridgman was able to overcome not just one but two disabilities simultaneously sparked a hope in parents and caretakers of other disabled people. If a child both blind and deaf can learn to communicate with the world, and on a high intellectual level, then is there not hope for all people? Is there not hope for MY child?
What does Bridgman’s fame suggest about the meaning of disability in mid-nineteenth century America?
- Until the late nineteenth century, blindness and deafness were the most recognizable forms of disability and the ones that generated the most concern. There was a clear connection between both disabled “celebrities” Laura Bridgman and Helen Keller, but for some reason Helen Keller became more famous than Laura. This may be due to the time frame in which each girl was born (50 years difference). Charles Dickens became a fan of Bridgman after their encounter, while William Dean Howells and Mark Twain were captivated by Keller. These writers helped to promote their fame. Both ladies life stories suggested that there was a realistic side to the disabled images in sentimental fiction. This may suggest why there fame grew (because disability was not understood at this time and writers relayed the news they learned).
How would you characterize Howe’s and Bridgman’s relationship?
- Howe was Laura’s devoted friend and benefactor throughout her life. Laura’s lifelong attachment to Howe created a great amount of grief for her when he eventually lost interest in her after his marriage and the births of his own children. Freeberg emphasizes Howe’s intellectual interest in Bridgman and the “spiritual experiment” which motivated much of his work with her.
Howe and Bridgman’s relationship had several different fascinating aspects. On Howe’s side, Bridgman was in some respects his grand scientific and theological experimental showcase, as evidenced by his writings concerning her. Howe may have also viewed Bridgman as a draw for publicity, and, hence, fundraising. “[H]e recognized that his new pupil was an ideal vehicle for arousing public sympathy and enlightening the public mind about the needs and the potential of the handicapped… ‘when the supposed sufferer is a child–a girl–and of pleasing appearance, the sympathy and interest are naturally increased (Freeburg, p.51).’” Howe’s relationship with Bridgman had its brighter spots, too, with his fondness for her, and a concern for her well-being that went beyond her falling in line with his experiments.
From Bridgman’s perspective, the relationship had far fewer nuances. Howe was in some ways more of a father figure in her life than her biological father, partly because he was able to express himself more tenderly and affectionately than Mr. Bridgman had, but also because he was the catalyst for bringing her out of her isolated state as a young child. The power dynamics were thus very unbalanced, as Howe was always to have a place of authority and respect, in some measure, in Bridgman’s life; Bridgman, however, would never truly be viewed as an adult by Howe, always being highly dependent on him and other persons. This case suggests that institution life could give rise to work to help persons with disabilities, not as equals, per se, but on a lower footing than abled persons. Bridgman is an unusual case in that she had more than one sensory impairment, making training her to live life outside of the institution harder than what students with only one sensory impairment would have found it. In general, however, it would seem likely that other institutions would have exhibitions where the students with disabilities could showcase what they had been learning to eager crowds, helping to supplement the cost of running such a school.
The fame attributed towards Laura Bridgman and her incredible learning experience in mid 19th century America suggests that the meaning of disability, as it is today, was highly debated. Although leading scientists, philosophers, doctors and clergyman all had differing views towards the causes and ramifications of disability itself, it seems difficult to believe Howe’s use of Laura to further his personal agenda was a single instance. I believe that these differing views, although inaccurate and incomplete, were important benchmarks towards proper reform. I do not doubt that Howe’s motives were not at all altruistic, however his decision to exclude Laura from the amount of attention she was receiving to protect her from “moral decay” leads me to believe that he, like many others at the time, did not view the disabled as people, but rather projects in which to be completed.
Bridgman’s fame was a shining light of hope for people with disabilities and their families in the antebellum America. Bridgman coincided with a time when many people doubted if people with disabilities could overcome their disabilities-many Americans knew it was immoral to turn a blind eye to the plight of disabled people, yet they continued to do it.
Bridgman’s performance through the guidance of Dr.Howe cleared the negative thoughts that antebellum America held towards her and disabled population in general. I am sure many families brought forth their loved to seek opportunities like what Bridgman was experiencing. Dr. Howe’s relationship to Bridgman was ‘symbiotic’- he guided her to prosperity, and she made his name and fame stride in more fame and worth.
Laura Bridgmans fame suggested that she was held on a “pedestal” because of her being able to overcome her disability. Society saw that if she could do it, they could overcome it as well causing them to have hope and faith in themselves. It was viewed in such a matter that if you would let the disability affect your lifestyle, of course you would not get anywhere. I feel as that she was a symbol for hope and faith, as far as religion goes. During the 19th Century, there were many conflicts about religion, race and gender. Furthermore, Laura overcame her disability causing a miracle in their eyes. We discussed during class that having a disability caused people around you to think that you were “abnormal and crippled.” I also think that Howe had other means by saying that he felt like she was his adopted daughter. The attention she received, Laura being able to inspire others to overcome their disability, and the way she was looked at makes me think that Howe was not only helping Laura for her, but himself as well. He would ignore his parents about what they thought could happen to Laura or if something went wrong.
I think that due to the high belief that anyone with disabilities could not be education made Laura Bridgmans case remarkable to anyone that came across her story of education. I think that as the word of was spread about her that people became more amazed at her happiness. Until this time, these individuals where not treated as people and often got treated like animals. Her happiness came from her being able to express what she wanted and needed along with being able to be a normal child. She wanted to have the play time other children had. She was highly intelligent and I think her happiness came from learning. She seems to be a remarkable story during that time but her education started a chain reaction. Laura Bridgman being educated was amazing not because she could learn but someone took the time to figure out how to teach her what she needed to know. Although, she was limited to the school, other people got to see what education could do for someone that was disabled and gave renewed hope and idea to others with disabled individuals around them.
I would have to characterize Howe and Bridgeman’s relationship as somewhat circumstantial. While it was obvious that Howe cared deeply for Laura and what he was doing for society, he still had an agenda and I believe he would not have been as close with Bridgeman if she would have turned out similar to Julia Brace (who did not learn as much as fast as Bridgman). Laura was very eager to please Howe she was greatly thankful to him for teaching her to communicate this dynamic was very beneficial to the teachers in motivating Bridgman to do and learn things she otherwise would no want to do such as with her arithmetic lessons. To me it would seem that institution life would be very selective towards their students based on who will be successful in their program.
1) What does Bridgman’s fame suggest about the meaning of disability in mid-nineteenth century America?
Bridgman’s fame suggest that disability in the nineteenth century was based on the public interest. What I mean by this is that Howe took an interest in learning more about how disability worked and how he could present it to the public. Howe wrote about disability , but it wasn’t until he took his star pupil out on exhibitions, where he noticed that the people started to take more of an interest. He quickly realized that the public viewed disability as “sympathy to the amount of human suffering” (Freeberg 51). Through Howe, Laura became a valuable character in helping the world understand disability. Writers such as Charles Dickens became more aware of Laura and thus had another outlet of understanding the conditions of disability through his influence of writing. As stated in Freeberg “Howe appreciated the way Dickens had turned conventional middle-class morality on its head,finding virtue in the poor and sinfulness in those who callous rich people who ignored the plight of their less fortunate fellow creatures.” (p.53).
This is how I think people viewed the disabled during this time period. Not much was known before the case of Laura Bridgman. It was through her case, that the public wanted to learn more.
After reading these chapters I concluded that the fame Laura Bridgman received at this time in America was based upon pure fascination of her seemingly impossible circumstance. In chapter 3 Freeberg states that, ” the wide publication of fascination with Laura was due not just to her remarkable accomplishments, but also to the skillful public relations campaign of her teacher Howe.” Many people in America as well as in Europe took great interest in Laura and in her progressive lifestyle and education. After Charles Dickens met Laura and saw her reformation he was amazed and it sparked a sense of further interest from the public. I found it interesting that Freeberg noted that at this time, ” America’s thought of asylums as sacred places which offered the possibility of miraculous transformations.” I found that interesting because America had seen asylums previously as places of last resort and confinement for the betterment of the persons admitted as well as the public. Laura had changed some of the minds of those people by becoming a model of Victorian Virtue.
From my perspective people were becoming more tolerable of people with disabilities; Bridgman’s celebrity status was proof to this. Around this time frame people who were disabled were considered aliens, weirdoes and often looked down on by others in the community. So the fact that Bridgman was famous tells us that the attitudes of people were starting to change when it comes to the topic of disability. I think that her being famous changed the meaning of disability in some way or another, maybe not to its fullest but it altered the way people thought of or perceive people with impairments. To me her fame suggests that the mid-19th century was some sort of turning point maybe a little controversial but overall I think that her fame started to change the way people see disabled people. I think she brought light to the topic of disability in that they’re not just idiots, or morons or retards they are normal human beings like everyone else and despite their impairments they can complete task just like everyone else.