Author Angie Dicken-Factory Life-The Yellow Lantern Summer Blog Series
I am beyond thrilled to have Author Angie Dicken on the blog today sharing about her newest novel, The Yellow Lantern out in August with Barbour Publishing.
Factory Life: TYL
Summer Blog Series
“These girls, as I
have said, were all well-dressed: and that phrase necessarily includes extreme
cleanliness. They have serviceable bonnets, good warm cloaks, and
shawls…Moreover, there were places in the mill in which they could deposit
these things without injury…[They] had the manners and deportment of young
women: not of degraded brutes of burden.” –Charles Dickens, American Notes.
About a year before I began
research for The Yellow Lantern, I
was writing a different kind of story, set about twenty years later. Charles
Dickens’ first visit to America was a vital piece of research, and I devoured
his observations. Although my story at the time had little to do with the mill
girls, I was intrigued by his thoughts and comparisons of the women to factory
life in England. It didn’t take me long to incorporate a cotton mill in The Yellow Lantern when I discovered
that it was a new industry of 1820’s Massachusetts.
Imagine if…
You are the oldest sister of two
brothers, and your family’s small working farm has been your entire world for
eighteen years. With no husband, your parents insist you leave to work in a new
cotton mill to provide money for your brothers’ education. Leaving the only
home you’ve ever known for work you’ve never done, would be a frightening
venture indeed.
“My life is a tool for my brother’s
success,” you might think as you pack up your belongings to take with you on a
lonely carriage ride. Might you have resentment? Probably not. You’ve been
taught your submissive place in your family from the time you could speak.
However, once you arrive at the
large buildings and the orderly boardinghouse, freedom is sparked by the
different ideas and voices you come across. A new friend is ecstatic to get
away from her family and become an independent woman. Another friend dives into
the educational opportunities provided by the mill—enjoying books and study that
she never received in her rural life at home.
Your day begins before the sun is
up, and you’ve worked a couple hours before the first meal. The work is not too
difficult, but it is loud, and twelve hours of standing amidst machinery and
cotton dust is tiring. Another operative, Josie Clay (the heroine of The Yellow Lantern) observes the work
like this:
“The ruckus of
knocking parts and spinning spindles vibrated through her body as if she were
not just a woman in the mill but a part of the machinery. The overseer
explained to her the parts of the machine she was to manage. It was powered by
steam, chomping down on the cotton with its lathes’ steady blows. Josie was
certain that she was, indeed, a part of a whole.”
Imagine if you find yourself part
of a community of women, who discover within the bounds of strict moral code
and dutiful work, a chance to flourish apart from family and farm life—would
this adventure be worth giving up the wages for someone else?
History would say yes.
The Mill Girls became influential to Charles Dickens, American workforce
reform, and women’s rights throughout the 19th century…and they set
the stage for a certain American Crime novel in 2019. ;)
More info on The Yellow Lantern:
angiedicken.com/tyl-summer-series
Images and articles about the Mill Girls: https://www.pinterest.com/agdicken/the-tyl-summer-blog-series/
As we delve into the life of a mill girl, you can win this fun bundle! The prize includes:
Cotton-scented Bath Fizzers
A Meadow Flowers Drawer Sachet
A Mini-Journal
A Starbucks gift card
Enter here:
Wow this story sounds absolutely fascinating, a pivotal point in women discovering their equal value. Thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteHi Barbara. It definitely showed the struggle women faced in those days. It was fascinating to read about it. You're welcome, thank you for your comment. Have a great day!
DeleteAwesome giveaway. This book sounds amazing!
ReplyDeleteThis book is very gripping, it has a variety of facets to the plot. Angie Dicken is a talented writer. Appreciate you stopping by and commenting. Have a fantastic day. and happy reading!
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