The Revolt Of Mother

This short story by American author Mary E. Wilkins Freeman was first published in 1890. Considered by many to be a pre-feminist work, “The Revolt of ‘Mother’” addresses themes of domestic rebellion, self-assertion, the repression of women, and tradition in a male-dominated society. The narrative is often said to be autobiographic, and it shows Freeman’s complex attitudes about male and female relationships at the time it was written.

The story beings as protagonist Sarah Penn, also known as “Mother,” calls to her husband Adoniram Penn (“Father”) when she sees men digging in one of their fields. The men are digging where Adoniram promised Sarah he would build them a new house. She wants to know why they are digging and is persistent despite her husband’s reluctance to answer the question. He finally admits that they are creating a cellar for a new barn.

At the house, Sarah’s daughter Nanny asks if Adoniram told her why they are digging, and Sarah tells her. Sarah asks Sammy, her son, if he knew that Father was going to build a new barn, and Sammy says he has known for three months.

Nanny expresses distress at the idea of a new barn and Sarah continues to question Sammy. She wants to know if Adoniram intends to buy new cows. Sammy tells her he thinks Adoniram wants four more, then he heads off for school.

Nanny and Sarah wash the dishes and talk about the new development. Nanny questions her father’s decision, given that they need a decent house to live in and a good place for her fiancé, George Eastman, to court her. But Sarah reminds her of their place in the household: “‘You ‘ain’t found out yet we’re women-folks, Nanny Penn’” (45). Neither one wants to complain—after all, they have a comfortable home with a good roof, and they are lucky. Sarah says, “‘Lots of girls have to that ain’t no stronger an’ better able to than you be.’” (51)

After washing, Sarah begins making pies and Nanny sews. However, Sarah can see the men digging as she glances up from her work: “the sight that rankled in her patient and steadfast soul—the digging of the cellar of the new barn in the place where Adoniram forty years ago had promised her their new house should stand.” (55)

Adoniram and Sammy come home for dinner, eat, and leave. Sammy goes back to school because he does not want to do chores, and Adoniram calls after him in vain for help unloading wood from the wagon. Nanny goes to the store to buy embroidery and thread, and Sarah calls Adoniram to talk to her. He says he is busy, but she insists that he come into the kitchen.

Sarah asks him why he thinks he needs another barn. She says she is going to “‘talk real plain to [him]” (75) for the first time in their marriage. She brings his attention to their house’s deficiencies, pointing out how their daughter will get married in one of the rundown rooms. She points how the bedroom, pantry, and unfinished chambers where their children sleep need updating. And she says, “‘I want to know if you think you’re doin’ right an’ accordin’ to what you profess’” (79).

Adoniram replies that he has nothing to say. Sarah continues, saying she has never complained, but Nanny, who has always been a weak, sickly girl, cannot live with them if they do not have another house. She asks Adoniram to reconsider, but he tells her needs to go back to work.

When Nanny comes home, she says she would be ashamed to have the wedding in the house. Irritable, she says, “‘We might have the weddin’ in the new barn’” (92)—a comment that shocks Sarah.

The new barn grows during the spring, admired by fellow farmers. Sarah does not bring up her frustration again, and while Adoniram does not discuss it with her, he comments to Sammy, “‘It’s a strange thing how your mother feels about the new barn’” (96). Construction is completed by the third week in July. As Adoniram is planning to move his stock, he receives a letter from Sarah’s brother in Vermont about a horse Adoniram wants to buy.

Adoniram decides to travel to Vermont, even though it is the middle of haying time. He gives Sarah instructions about putting the new cows in the barn and pitching hay there, and he says he plans to return by Saturday.

Sarah and Nanny watch him leave, then return to their baking and sewing, respectively. Sarah notes that Nanny looks haggard from her constant sewing, which is preparation for the wedding. Sarah asks her about her pain, and Nanny answers that she has “‘a little’” (111). In that moment, Sarah decides to take advantage of her husband’s sudden absence; she believes it is a sign from God.

After baking, Sarah goes outside and stops the hay cart before it goes to the new barn. She tells the laborers to put the load in the old barn. Later, Nanny asks if Father did not want the hay in the new barn, and Sarah replies, “‘It’s all right’” (124).

After Sammy comes home for dinner, Sarah begins packing. Over the next few hours, the family moves their possessions to the new barn. They are finished by five o’clock, and the table is set for tea. One of the hired man, directed to deliver milk to the new barn, spreads throughout town the news that Mrs. Penn moved into the new barn. People in town gossip, thinking she is either insane or has a “lawless and rebellious spirit” (137).

The minister, Mr. Hersey, goes to see Sarah, who is at the barn door shelling peas. She does not invite him in and seems angry. Sarah tells him that she thought it over and believes she is doing what is right. She prayed about it, so no one else should worry. Mr. Hersey is helpless and soon retreats.

When the cows come, three are put in the old barn and the fourth in the house-shed where the cooking-stove had been. On Saturday, when Adoniram is expected back, some men await him along the road near the new barn. Sarah prepares brown-bread, baked beans, and a pie, which she knows her husband loves. The children watch as Adoniram goes to the locked house and shed, then heads to the new barn.

He wonders why the family is in the barn instead of the house. Sammy tells him that they live there. Adoniram smells the food and asks Sarah, “‘What on airth does this mean, mother?’” (151). Sarah takes him to the harness-room to discuss it. She assures him of her sanity and firmly states they will live in the barn, and he must put up windows and partitions and buy furniture for it. She then tells him to get washed up for supper. Adoniram seems dazed, so Sarah assists him.

She urges her husband to give the blessing before they eat. Afterwards, he sits on the step of their new front door. He seems defeated, and when Sarah goes to him, she finds that “[t]he old man’s shoulders heaved” (162) and he is crying. Sarah tells Adoniram not to weep, and he promises to do whatever she wants done around the house. As Sarah quietly celebrates the victory, he says “‘I had no idee you was so set on’t as all this comes to’” (166).