THE EMANCIPATION OF MAN.
After an exhilarating ride, in which the doctor and I, certainly, were
not troubled by any over-sensitiveness in regard to such robust horses,
we returned to the house and soon found ourselves seated in the music
room listening to one of their famous dramatists reciting his own words
through the phonograph. Next we had some music, and then a poem, from
the same prolific instrument.
When this entertainment was over, and after lunch, Zenith, at our urgent
request, seconded by Thorwald’s solicitation, resumed her narrative.
“We read,” she began, “that during the time when men were grudgingly
bestowing the right of suffrage on our sex, woman was making rapid
strides toward a position in society fitted to her talents and
aspirations. One occupation after another became available, and it was
no longer a disgrace or hardly a peculiarity for women to be earning
their living instead of depending for support on their fathers or
brothers. This tended to create in them a feeling of independence,
and in many employments they had every right to be proud of their
attainments, for, with so little training, they often surpassed the
men at their own trades. Even then, however, some of the old
prejudice against the sex seemed to remain in force, since women were
discriminated against in the matter of wages. When they did the same
work and did it better, still their pay was less than that of men. But
this was a temporary injustice, which disappeared, as it was bound to
do, when woman had acquired her full freedom and had been in the field
long enough to prove her right and ability to stay.
“The work at which women excelled was that requiring a quick
intelligence, nimble fingers, and the faculty of easy adaptability. In
the realm of physical strength woman was not a competitor, but there was
another field in which she more than made up for that loss, and in which
she early began to show great native ability. That was in all pursuits
demanding the education of the mind. Here is where she was to look for
the greatest of her victories. Nature had endowed man with a superior
strength of body and muscle, but woman with a higher order of mind.”
“I must interrupt you here, Zenith,” said the doctor. “This is assuredly
an instance where your race differs materially from that of the earth,
for with us man has by nature the stronger mind.”
“How do you know?” asked Zenith.
“It has been proved so in all ages.”
“Yes, but does not the expression ‘all ages’ include with you only the
ages in which man has been the ruling spirit, and woman has been kept
down and allowed but little opportunity to show the strength of her
mental faculties? You know our history takes in not only a period
similar to that covered by your whole career, but also other ages which
we believe correspond with the years yet to come for the inhabitants of
the earth. It has been during the latter era, a time which you have not
yet seen, that woman has proved the truth of my assertion.”
“I wish to make myself understood,” said the doctor again. “I am willing
to grant the equality of the sexes, as far as natural rights go; that
is, that every man and every woman ought to have the opportunity to
develop all their talents, untrammeled by any edict or convention of
society. Perhaps I would agree with you also in believing it would
be better to treat men and women alike, with open-hearted, sincere
courtesy, and use equal ceremony in showing respect to individuals of
either sex. But it seems to me that there is a vast difference between
all that and your latest position. There are many people of our
generation on the earth, and their number is rapidly increasing, who
believe in the essential equality of the sexes, but I never heard one
put forward anything approaching the claim you make, that woman was
created with a higher order of mind than man--I believe that was your
expression; and this is why I say that in this particular your race
differs greatly from ours.”
To which Zenith replied:
“I am not so sure of that, my dear doctor. It would seem hardly fair
that man should be given both physical and mental superiority. But
please tell me again why you think man has the stronger mind.”
“Because he has done the thinking of the world. The intellectual
achievements of woman, though occasionally brilliant, are not to be
compared with those of man. This is true in every department throughout
our history--in science and art, in religion, in literature, in
government, and in everything that I could name. It is hardly to
the point for you to say that woman would have done more if she had
possessed a fuller freedom; perhaps it is true, but it seems to me a
matter of conjecture. Neither is it a complete answer for you to
say that in the years to come woman, being wholly enfranchised, will
revolutionize the world by her unexpected powers. We can judge only by
what she has done. Excuse me, Zenith, for trying to uphold my point.
It is rather discouraging, when I can see by your face that you can
demolish my argument in a moment, whenever you choose to attempt it.”
We all laughed at the doctor’s want of courage, and Zenith answered:
“I beg your pardon; I am greatly at fault if I have any such expression
in my face. My confidence, if I have any, is not in any supposed ability
I may have in conversation, but in our experience here on Mars. Your
history matches ours so well up to your generation that I cannot but
think the likeness will continue; and if it does, then woman, in your
near future, will prove the truth of my statement. But before I proceed
to tell you what she has done in this world, let me ask you if your
women have shown any mental peculiarity which distinguishes them from
men.”
“Yes,” answered the doctor, “their intuitive perceptions appear to be
more developed than those of men, probably because they use them more.
A man may reach a certain conclusion by a course of reasoning, while
a woman will often arrive at the same point much quicker by intuition.
That is, a man will tell you why he knows a thing, when a woman simply
knows it because she knows it.”
“Is that faculty akin to anything else with which you are acquainted?”
“Yes, we call it instinct in animals.”
“Is not the possession by woman of that quality a silent but powerful
suggestion to you of the fact that she was treated like an animal in the
dark days of her inthrallment?”
“I had not thought of it,” returned the doctor, “but it certainly may be
looked upon as a sad commentary on that rude age.”
“Do you consider this instinct an advantage to woman?” asked Zenith.
“Certainly; it is a great help to her, often serving with much success
in place of other faculties.”
“Would it be a valuable quality to add to man’s mental equipment?”
“Yes, indeed, if he could retain all his other powers of mind.”
“Well, now let me ask you what would come to pass if the women of the
earth, possessed already of that quickness of thought, that ability to
discern the truth by direct apprehension, should, by thorough education
and many years of patient training, acquire the power of reasoning, the
judgment, the strength of mind, and all the intellectual powers now held
by your men?”
“That is a very large ‘if,’ and I cannot tell you what would happen,”
answered the doctor.
“I have only described,” continued Zenith, “what actually took place on
our planet. When the movement for giving woman a higher education began,
men looked at the subject just as you do now. Women were supposed to be
of inferior mental capacity, and it was thought to be a foolish thing to
attempt to educate them. ‘Better educate the boys,’ men said, ‘and let
the girls learn to cook and sew and to play the piano; that is all that
will ever be required of them.’ But, in spite of every discouragement,
the girls improved their opportunities so well that they were soon
taking the prizes away from the boys. Broadminded philanthropists of
both sexes endowed schools for them, and the highest institutions of
learning opened their doors to them. When the young women, almost from
the start, began to be successful in competitive contests in different
departments of scholarship, it was generally thought that such cases
were exceptional and would not be apt to be repeated very often. But
this was a great mistake. These instances proved to be no exception. It
was found that woman’s facility of thought and native acuteness gave her
an immense advantage over the masculine mind in mastering any ordinary
course of study. But this was surface education. The reasoning power
and the solidity of mind for which men were distinguished in mature life
came later, but they came.
“At first, only here and there a girl was fortunate enough to be offered
a liberal education; but when it was found that in almost every instance
they brought great credit on themselves, the number increased with
rapidity, until a college course was the customary and expected close of
almost every girl’s school-days. For it was not the rich only that had
this advantage, since by this time education was free, being provided
either by the public or by universities richly endowed.
“All this time the boys seemed to find a great attraction in business
and the trades, and appeared to be willing that the girls should have a
monopoly of the higher education. One circumstance that greatly helped
this state of things was the extraordinary furor that prevailed just
then in the matter of manual training. This system had received more or
less attention from educators for many years, and it had been introduced
into schools as an addition to the regular course of study. That was
a material age. Men desired first of all to be practical, and the
new method of teaching, being eminently practical, became exceedingly
popular with the boys. The parents, not dreaming where it would end,
and seeing the eager interest with which their sons now crowded into the
schools, encouraged them in it.
“Schools of technique, in which the literary branches were entirely
subordinate, sprang up on every hand, and two or three years spent
in these institutions took the place of a college course. The old
universities tried to meet the changing sentiment by paying more
attention to science, by giving the students a free choice of studies,
and by shortening the course when desired. But the mechanical idea in
the new education seemed to be the attraction. The boys were seized
with a passion for doing something with their hands, and their inventive
faculties were quickened, increasing in a remarkable degree their
interest in their work and studies.
“For a long time this movement was thought to be a great advance in
education. It was such an improvement on the old way, to find the young
men learning something useful, rather than wasting their time over the
dead languages and other things they would never need after finishing
school. And it must be acknowledged that all this industrial impulse
was of advantage to the world in its way. It multiplied labor-saving
machinery, added to the people’s comforts in many ways, and increased
the general prosperity and well-being of society as far as material
improvements could do it.
“But there was another side to the picture. So much time could not be
given to training the hand and hardening the muscle without detracting
from the attention due to the cultivation of the brain. To be sure, the
brain was active enough, but it was receiving a one-sided development,
which boded it no permanent good.
“I have spoken at such length of this almost universal rage for
technical education, because it was a chief factor in turning the world
over.”
We all smiled at this expression, and the doctor asked:
“How did it overturn the world?”
“By aiding in taking the real brain work away from the men and giving it
to the women.”
“Did this actually happen?”
“Certainly it did. Not in a day, but in the process of time. How could
it be otherwise, when the women alone had been for many years going
through that long, patient mind-drilling which is the only preparation
for a thorough education? When the young men observed that a civil
engineer, a superintendent of a factory, or even a skilled mechanic
could earn a larger salary than a college graduate, it took away much of
the incentive for the old-fashioned education, and they were perfectly
willing to see their sisters take what they had not time for.
“And so it came about that the women began to crowd into the learned
professions; and, as there was not one which they could not adorn, the
prejudice against them soon wore off, and before many years they were
competing with men in all the grandest fields of human action. Even in
the matter of government woman’s power was felt. Men were so engrossed
in the endeavor to develop to their fullest extent the material
resources of the planet that they became careless of the higher duties
of citizenship, especially after the women began to take control of
things. They saw affairs were well managed, and seemed to be relieved to
have them taken out of their hands, not dreaming that they were forging
chains for themselves which it would take long years to break. Although
the world was constantly growing better, it was far from a perfect age.
Human nature was still a synonym for selfishness, and with men and
women measuring swords on every intellectual battlefield a contest for
supremacy was inevitable.
“Man was absorbed in his chosen work, he was indifferent to public
affairs, and he was, in his way, proud of the position woman was taking
in the world, but he could not let her assume his place as acknowledged
leader without a struggle. He said he had given her her rights, and now
she wanted to deprive him of his rights.
“There was too much truth in this, for society had not reached a state
where the sexes could live in perfect equality. It was admitted by all
that there must be a head, both in the household and in the state, and
it long remained a question which should rule. But was there ever a
struggle of long continuance on the earth in which mind did not triumph
at last?”
“I must answer in the negative,” replied the doctor, “although I
perceive it will help your argument.”
“Why, this is not an argument,” continued Zenith. “It is simply a story
of what has taken place on this planet. If you have any doubt of it,
ask Thorwald. You have known him longer than you have me, and, perhaps,
would have more confidence in what he would say. He ought to have told
this part of the story himself. I know you think I am exaggerating,
because you see I am making my sex come out ahead.”
Zenith said this in a playful manner, which showed she was as far as
possible from being offended, but the doctor pretended to take her
seriously, and replied with feeling:
“Do forgive me, Zenith, for my thoughtless expression, and pray do not
stop in your narrative at this interesting point. I will tell you how I
came to use the word to which you object. While you were talking I was
thinking how one would be received on the earth, who should attempt an
argument to show the probability that anything like what you are telling
us should ever come to pass there.”
“Well, how would such an argument be received?” asked Zenith.
“It would probably be passed by without any notice whatever, if you will
excuse me for telling the truth,” answered the doctor. “It certainly
would not be looked upon as serious, and I fear it would not even
receive the dignity of being called funny. Even the women would laugh
feebly at the extravagant notion, and think no more of it. But we were
talking of Mars, not of the earth, and I am exceedingly anxious to know
how affairs progressed here, though there is no likelihood that they
will ever be paralleled among us.”
“I would not be too sure, Doctor,” spoke up Thorwald. “Better wait till
Zenith is through.”
“I shall wait longer than that before I believe the earth will ever go
through such an experience. But now I am ready to listen.”
“When I speak of woman assuming leadership,” resumed Zenith, “do not
misunderstand me. Although society was not perfect, still it was not a
gross age, and there was no return to the manners of those rude times
when women were cruelly treated and men took all the good in the world
to themselves. Oh, no, there was no absence of good manners. Women
treated men with the greatest courtesy, showing them every mark of
outward respect, and being much more polite to them than to each other.
And it was not all show, either; for, in spite of the fact that the men
were patronized unmercifully, the women really thought a great deal of
them, and often remarked to each other that the world would be a dull
and uninviting place without them. They admired their robust strength
of body, their brawny arms and well-trained hands, as well as their many
excellent qualities of mind; and they never tired of telling them in
honeyed words how necessary they were to their happiness.
“The women were very considerate also in the matter of laws. The rights
of the men were well looked after. To be sure, they were not allowed
to vote and hold office, but in their fortunate, happy condition it was
incredible that they should care about a little thing like that. Were
they not perfectly protected by the law, and did they not have as much
to do already as was good for them? The women argued that if the men
were given the right of suffrage it would only be the cranks who would
avail themselves of it, for the great mass of the men were perfectly
satisfied with their condition.
“A man was allowed the right of dower in his deceased wife’s estate, and
he could hold property in his own right, even after marriage. His wife
could not even deed away her real estate without his consent. By this
you see how carefully the men were shielded from the liability of coming
to want.
“In matters of the heart it was not considered modest for a man to make
a direct proposal, but in reality the affair was in his hands, for no
woman could make any advance unless she received encouragement from the
object of her affections.”
“How about the home?” asked the doctor. “Did man take the place of woman
there?”
“He did whatever he was asked to do in the home. You must know that at
this time domestic duties were quite different from what they formerly
were. Men had not given up all their thought and time to handicraft for
nothing. The drudgery had pretty well disappeared under the full play of
the inventive faculties, so that the home duties were not exacting.
What work there was, was shared by the sexes, each doing that which was
appropriate. The management of the home was, of course, in the hands of
the women.”
“Was there no department in which the men were masters?” inquired the
doctor.
“Not one. They thought they were in full charge in their peculiar field
of labor, but here, as everywhere, the women dictated their terms when
they chose.”
The doctor was bound to learn all he could about this curious state of
things, and asked again:
“What effect did all this strain upon the mind have on woman’s physical
nature? You have admitted that she was weaker in body than man, and it
seems to me she must have been ill prepared for the struggle you have
narrated. From the experience we have had in educating women, we believe
it is a positive injury to them to attempt to reach that high degree of
culture which is easily and safely compassed by men. Our idea is that
nature never intended that they should study much, for their minds
are really not any stronger than their bodies. Too much brain work has
already ruined the health of a good many girls, and when we left the
earth the reaction against the higher education of woman had fairly
begun. For we believe that her mental faculties can be developed only at
the expense of her physical powers, and that if she were to persist in
such an abnormal cultivation of her intellect it would be sure to result
in the deterioration of her offspring and disaster to the race. So, for
the sake of the generations unborn, we--that is, the male men of the
earth--who still retain our grip on affairs, have about decided to put a
stop to this foolish mania among our young women. We will probably pass
laws, setting a limit in the several branches of study beyond which
girls shall not be allowed to go, either at school or privately.”
We all laughed heartily at this idea, including the doctor himself, who
continued:
“Well, what else can we do to stop them? Stop them we must, or we shall
soon become a race of weaklings and mental imbeciles.”
Thorwald had been getting more and more interested, as I could see by
his face, and now broke out with:
“Doctor, you surprise me. I have acquired such a respect for your
intelligence that I can hardly believe you serious. If Zenith will
excuse me, I should like to answer your question. Hard study did not
hurt our young women, and it never hurts anyone. It is careless living
and a disregard of the laws of health that do the harm. Physical
training was an important part of the education of our women. They could
never have accomplished what they did without sound bodies, and it must
be unnecessary for me to say that the more highly cultured they became
the more our race improved. Learning never made poor mothers. Ignorance
does that. Do not keep education out of the home. Keep out folly, low
desires, sordid ambitions, uncultivated tastes, narrow-mindedness, envy,
strife, wastefulness, inordinate pleasures, and every evil thing that
comes from an empty, ignorant mind. Keep out the darkness; let in the
light. It is not God’s way to give capacity and desire for noble things,
and then shut the door to their attainment.”
“Many thanks, Thorwald,” exclaimed Zenith, “for your good help. And now,
Doctor, will you ask anything further?”
“I must admit,” answered the doctor, “that your experience gives you
more knowledge of the subject than we possess, and perhaps we are wrong.
Of course, we want that to come to pass which will be best for our race.
But let me ask if the gentler sex, as we call them, did not lose, by
such superior culture, their gentleness and their charm. The masculine
type of woman is not at all popular with us.”
“This question, Doctor,” answered Zenith, “shows that you have a poor
conception of our condition at that time. This great change in society
had been gradual, and I must remind you that by the time it was
accomplished the world was much improved in every way, although, as we
have seen, it was by no means perfect. In her treatment of man there was
none of that domineering spirit which you might expect; and the victory
she had achieved was never used harshly. Her reign, if firm, was mild.
And woman herself, in the general betterment of things, had improved,
even in the direction you mention. Instead of becoming less womanly, in
her changed condition, every admirable quality in her had ripened toward
perfection, while she had thrown off much that was disagreeable and
unlovely in her disposition. In personal appearance the advance had been
remarkable. Being relieved of the severe labor and sordid cares which
were once her lot, and with her mind set free by high culture and her
artistic tastes developed, nature asserted itself by making her truly
a delight to the eye and a comfort to the heart of mankind. Whatever
charms she possessed in her old life were now doubled, making her indeed
a blessing to the world and preparing her for the next great change,
which came with the advent of the present age.”
“In spite of the sweetness and beauty surrounding them, did not men fret
at the firm hand that held them down?”
“At first, yes. But as time went on it came to be looked upon so
naturally that it was hardly thought of as a thing which should not be.”
“How long did such a state of things continue?”
“It continued until our race had outgrown all such trivial things as
selfish ambition and personal strife, until our characters had ripened
for a higher service than the old world had ever dreamed of, and until
love reigned in our hearts, supreme and unquestionable.”
“What makes the situation seem so strange to you is because it is so
contrary to your experience. Let me see if I cannot make it look more
reasonable to you by epitomizing our history on the subject in this way:
“Our career is made up of three eras. The first was one of brute force,
when man ruled by strength of body and subdued the world to our use.
Everything weaker than himself, even woman, his natural helper, was made
to feel the power of his arm. This age lasted long, but its rigor slowly
passed away, and it merged gradually into the second era, which was
one of mind. Here, too, man thought to rule, claiming the leadership
by right of possession and natural endowment. But woman’s sharpness
of intellect was more than a match for him when it was given full
opportunity, and she won, as we have seen, after a long struggle. The
third and present era is a spiritual one. In the realm of the spirit men
and women are equally endowed, and hence it is that in this age you find
the two sexes living in perfect equality.
“Comparing the words you have spoken with what I have read of our
history, I conclude that the earth is now passing from the first to the
second era. The struggle is on. Soon your sex will be considering the
question of the emancipation of man. You have the sincere sympathy of
both Thorwald and myself, and that you may emerge from your trials as
happily as we have from ours is our heartfelt wish.”
Zenith closed, and the doctor was silent.