Amongst Women

Amongst Women simultaneously celebrates women’s traditional roles as caretakers while critiquing the ways that patriarchal social structures keep women subordinate to men. As Moran’s partner, this is illustrated clearly through Rose, who is compassionate, empathetic, practical, and intelligent. These characteristics make her an excellent mother figure when she marries Moran and takes over the household. Her soft touch brings happiness to the entire family; she redecorates the house to make it homier, finds ways of brokering peace between Moran and his children, and helps raise her stepchildren to be emotionally intelligent and autonomous individuals. She advocates for the children, and without her, Moran’s power would be unchecked and despotic. While Moran is ultimately the patriarch, he considers her opinions and respects her. For example, she convinces Moran to let Maggie pursue training as a nurse. This pays dividends, as Maggie then becomes a role model for her younger sisters, who also leave home for their own jobs. Rose encourages the daughters’ independence because she herself has spent much of her life living abroad and working. She is empowered by her experiences and raises Moran’s daughters to be empowered, too. Rose’s influence in the upbringing of autonomous and intelligent women is an example of how women can uplift each other in an otherwise male-dominated and anti-feminist society.