Appearance
Excerpt
Excerpt from American Notes, by Rudyard Kipling
Sweet and comely are the maidens of Devonshire; delicate and of gracious
seeming those who live in the pleasant places of London; fascinating for
all their demureness the damsels of France, clinging closely to their
mothers, with large eyes wondering at the wicked world; excellent in her
own place and to those who understand her is the Anglo-Indian “spin” in
her second season; but the girls of America are above and beyond them
all. They are clever, they can talk--yea, it is said that they think.
Certainly they have an appearance of so doing which is delightfully
deceptive.
They are original, and regard you between the brows with unabashed eyes
as a sister might look at her brother. They are instructed, too, in the
folly and vanity of the male mind, for they have associated with “the
boys” from babyhood, and can discerningly minister to both vices or
pleasantly snub the possessor. They possess, moreover, a life among
themselves, independent of any masculine associations. They have
societies and clubs and unlimited tea-fights where all the guests are
girls. They are self-possessed, without parting with any tenderness that
is their sex-right; they understand; they can take care of themselves;
they are superbly independent. When you ask them what makes them so
charming, they say:--“It is because we are better educated than your
girls, and--and we are more sensible in regard to men. We have good
times all round, but we aren't taught to regard every man as a possible
husband. Nor is he expected to marry the first girl he calls on
regularly.”
Yes, they have good times, their freedom is large, and they do not abuse
it. They can go driving with young men and receive visits from young
men to an extent that would make an English mother wink with horror, and
neither driver nor drivee has a thought beyond the enjoyment of a good
time. As certain, also, of their own poets have said:--
Explanation
Rudyard Kipling’s American Notes (1891) is a travelogue documenting his impressions of the United States during a journey in 1889. While Kipling is best known for works like The Jungle Book and poems like "The White Man’s Burden," this text reflects his observations of American society, often with a mix of admiration, bewilderment, and subtle critique. The excerpt provided focuses on American women—particularly young, unmarried women—and contrasts them with their European counterparts. Kipling’s tone is playful yet analytical, blending praise with a hint of ironic detachment. Below is a detailed breakdown of the passage, emphasizing its textual nuances, themes, literary devices, and broader significance.
Context and Overview
Kipling’s American Notes was written at a time when transatlantic cultural exchanges were intensifying, and American society was undergoing rapid social change, particularly regarding gender roles. The late 19th century saw the rise of the "New Woman" in both America and Europe—a figure who challenged traditional expectations by seeking education, independence, and greater social freedom. Kipling’s observations reflect this shift, though his perspective is that of an outsider (a British colonial subject) both fascinated and mildly amused by American customs.
The excerpt compares women from different regions (Devonshire, London, France, Anglo-India) before declaring American girls superior. His praise is effusive but laced with stereotypes and a patronizing edge, revealing as much about his own biases as about his subject.
Themes
Female Independence and Agency Kipling emphasizes the autonomy of American women, portraying them as "superbly independent," "self-possessed," and capable of navigating social situations without male oversight. Their ability to form their own societies, clubs, and social circles ("unlimited tea-fights where all the guests are girls") signals a departure from the chaperoned, marriage-oriented lives of European women. This aligns with the era’s growing feminist movements, though Kipling frames it as a distinctly American trait rather than a universal one.
Education and Intellectual Confidence The American girls are "clever," "instructed," and—unlike their European counterparts—appear to "think." Kipling highlights their education as a key differentiator, suggesting it grants them both social poise and a pragmatic understanding of men ("they can discerningly minister to both vices or pleasantly snub the possessor"). Their directness ("regard you between the brows with unabashed eyes") is presented as a sign of confidence, not impropriety.
Gender Relations and Courtship Kipling contrasts American and European attitudes toward romance. In America, interactions between young men and women are framed as casual and non-committal ("neither driver nor drivee has a thought beyond the enjoyment of a good time"), whereas in England, such freedom would be scandalous ("make an English mother wink with horror"). The American girls’ rejection of the idea that "every man is a possible husband" reflects a more relaxed, less transactional view of courtship.
Cultural Superiority and Exoticism While Kipling praises American women, his comparisons carry an implicit hierarchy. The "maidens of Devonshire" are "sweet and comely," the French "fascination[ally] demure," and the Anglo-Indian "excellent in her own place"—but the Americans are "above and beyond them all." This framing exoticizes American women while positioning them as the pinnacle of modern femininity. However, his admiration is tinged with condescension (e.g., their intelligence is "delightfully deceptive"), revealing a colonialist lens.
Freedom vs. Constraint The passage celebrates American social freedom ("their freedom is large, and they do not abuse it"), contrasting it with the stifling expectations of European society. Yet Kipling’s phrasing—"they do not abuse it"—hints at a moral judgment, suggesting that such freedom could be abused, reinforcing Victorian anxieties about female emancipation.
Literary Devices
Cataloging and Parallel Structure Kipling employs a rhythmic, cumulative structure to build his argument. He lists women from different regions (Devonshire, London, France, Anglo-India) before culminating in the Americans, creating a sense of climax. The repetition of "they are" ("they are clever, they can talk, they are original...") reinforces his admiration while giving the passage a persuasive, almost hymn-like quality.
Irony and Understatement
- "Delightfully deceptive": The phrase undermines his praise, suggesting that the appearance of intelligence might be a performance.
- "They can take care of themselves": While seemingly complimentary, this implies that European women cannot, reinforcing a binary that may not hold up to scrutiny.
- The line about American girls not regarding "every man as a possible husband" is ironic given the era’s marriage-driven social structures, even in America.
Direct Quotation and Ventriloquism Kipling ventriloquizes the American girls’ voices ("It is because we are better educated... and we are more sensible in regard to men"), lending authenticity to his claims while also framing their perspective as novel or even amusing to a foreign audience. This device distances him from outright endorsement, allowing him to present their views as observational rather than his own.
Metaphor and Simile
- "Regard you between the brows with unabashed eyes as a sister might look at her brother": The simile naturalizes their directness as familial rather than flirtatious, neutralizing potential criticism.
- "Unlimited tea-fights": The term "tea-fights" (likely meaning tea parties) is playful, conjuring images of both innocence and rebellious energy.
Hyperbole The declaration that American girls are "above and beyond" all others is exaggerated, serving to emphasize his point rather than offer a measured comparison. This aligns with the travelogue genre’s tendency toward vivid, sometimes sensationalized descriptions.
Significance of the Passage
Cultural Commentary Kipling’s observations reflect broader 19th-century debates about gender, modernity, and national identity. The American woman he describes embodies the "New Woman" ideal—educated, independent, and unapologetic—yet his portrayal is filtered through a foreign, male gaze. His admiration is genuine but not uncritical, revealing tensions between tradition and progress.
Transatlantic Comparisons The passage highlights perceived differences between American and European social norms, particularly regarding female autonomy. Kipling’s astonishment at American courtship customs ("go driving with young men... without a thought beyond a good time") underscores how radical these behaviors seemed to a Victorian British observer. This contrast serves to exoticize America while also implying that its social experiments might be risky.
Kipling’s Ambivalence While the tone is largely laudatory, Kipling’s word choices ("deceptive," "abuse") betray a lingering skepticism. His praise is qualified, suggesting that such freedom could lead to moral or social disorder. This ambivalence mirrors broader Victorian anxieties about female emancipation and the erosion of traditional gender roles.
Literary and Historical Value As a primary source, the excerpt offers insight into how American women were perceived by outsiders during the Gilded Age. It also exemplifies Kipling’s style—witty, observant, and layered with irony. His travel writing often blends admiration with critique, and this passage is no exception, making it a rich text for analyzing cultural stereotypes and cross-national perceptions.
Textual Deep Dive: Key Lines Explained
"Sweet and comely are the maidens of Devonshire..."
- Kipling begins with a series of idealized, almost clichéd descriptions of women from different regions. Each group is assigned a single, reductive trait (Devonshire maidens are "sweet," French girls are "demure"), setting up the Americans as the exception to these narrow types. The cumulative effect is to position American women as complex and multifaceted in contrast to their one-dimensional counterparts.
"They are clever, they can talk--yea, it is said that they think."
- The phrase "yea, it is said" introduces doubt, framing their intelligence as rumors rather than fact. The humor here is at the expense of European women, implied to be neither clever nor thoughtful, but it also undermines the American women by suggesting their intellect might be performative.
"They possess, moreover, a life among themselves, independent of any masculine associations."
- This line is radical for its time, acknowledging women’s social worlds as separate and self-sufficient. Kipling presents this as a uniquely American phenomenon, though women’s clubs and societies were emerging in Europe as well. His emphasis on their independence is both admiring and slightly bewildered.
"We aren't taught to regard every man as a possible husband."
- This quotation encapsulates the passage’s central theme: the rejection of marriage as the sole purpose of female-male interaction. In Victorian society, courtship was highly ritualized and marriage-oriented; the American girls’ casual attitude would have seemed revolutionary. Kipling’s inclusion of this line suggests he finds it both liberating and potentially dangerous.
"Their freedom is large, and they do not abuse it."
- The phrase "do not abuse it" is loaded. It implies that such freedom could be abused, reflecting Kipling’s (and perhaps his audience’s) discomfort with unchaperoned female behavior. The line serves as a moral reassurance: American women may be free, but they remain "good."
Conclusion: Kipling’s Gaze
Kipling’s portrayal of American women is a masterclass in travel writing—vivid, engaging, and rich with cultural insight, yet complicated by his own biases. He presents them as the epitome of modern femininity: educated, independent, and unburdened by the constraints of Old World traditions. However, his praise is not unqualified. The passage reveals as much about Kipling’s Victorian sensibilities as it does about American society, blending admiration with a hint of moral caution.
The excerpt remains significant for its historical value, offering a snapshot of how gender roles were perceived and contested in the late 19th century. It also exemplifies Kipling’s skill as a writer—his ability to charm, provoke, and subtly critique, all while maintaining a tone of detached observation. Ultimately, the passage is less a definitive statement about American women and more a reflection of the fascination and unease that accompanied social change in an era of rapid transformation.