The Rise Of Silas Lapham

850 Words4 Pages
Nicole Udovich September 30, 2010 American Social History Women’s Role in Business Enterprise In the novel, The Rise of Silas Lapham by William Dean Howells, there are many important aspects of the business world in which the women participate. Since this book was being published during a time when there were many women’s right activists pressuring the country, it illustrates the changing role of women in the American household. This is true for Silas Lapham’s wife, Persis. She is included in many of Silas’s business decisions and she is well aware of the social stature of their family. From the time of their marriage, Persis had actually represented a social climb for Silas since they were married before his wealth and accomplishment. She even helped Silas a great deal with his paint business. Silas even proclaimed during his interview, “If it hadn’t been for her, the paint wouldn’t have come to anything”. However, her influence on Silas’s decisions may have only been because of her interest in their stature in society. The more money they had, the more admired and well looked upon their family was. There is evidence of this when Silas needs help deciding whether or not to sell the paint business at an unfair price to the English agents. She does not help him, and all she can do is shed tears because they are about to lose their only source of income. Furthermore, Persis is a great representation of an American woman who is not able to assist her husband when he needs help and guidance the most in his life. A different role that women play in the business enterprise is that of attaining wealth through social standards. Since Silas and his family are considered low class, he tries to set up a marriage between his daughter and Tom, the son from the aristocratic family the Corey’s. Because of this need for a higher social status, Silas’s
Open Document