The Prophecies Of Trollope

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“The Prophecies of Trollope” Frances Trollope’s Domestic Manners of the Americans was a very interesting look into previous cultures and beliefs of Americans directly after the Revolutionary War and America’s procuration of independence. The narrative not only demonstrated the typical every-day life of average Americans, but it also served to make an intriguing connection to how life in America is today. An interesting and somewhat perturbing example of this was found in her thoughts on New Orleans and the dams they put up to avoid nature: “yet, she was looking so mighty, and so unsubdued all the time, that I could not help fancying she would some day take the matter into her own hands again, and if so, farewell to New Orleans.” There were several instances in which Trollope made a wise comment as to how the country was inefficient and hypocritical, namely in its political and economic systems. Finally, the narrative analyzed the American society and several connections can be made from how it once was and what it currently is. In a political sense, Trollope was incredibly distressed at the overall act of slavery in a country, stating more than once her dislike of the situation. She states: “and it is not the less painfully felt from hearing upon every breeze the mocking words, ‘All men are born free and equal.’” (p. 49). This not only demonstrated her distress, but it also criticized the Americans for living in a country so avidly self-described as “equal” and allowing something such as slavery to reign supreme, especially in the Southern states. This is something only an outsider could have seen at the time, as there were more pressing issues than the unconstitutional nature of slavery. Her analysis of the situation was eventually discovered, seeing as slavery was abolished. Although she spoke little of economy, there were several questions Trollope asked
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