In order to understand the minds of these people, their educational backgrounds need to be understood as well. Clearly they were well trained in the Classics. In the 4th Letter however, Carroll makes reference to Hume. Thus he clearly was familiar with not only Horace, but modern thinkers as well.
Milton, Pope, Juvenal, Virgil, Tacitus, and other contemporary writers such as Serjent William Hawkins, Matthew Bacon, Bolingbroke, and more.
At this point in time, I'm not really sure exactly where my thesis is headed. That's bit of a problem since my proposal is due in a few hours.
I want to focus on the upper elite - I want to really get into their minds and pull apart their philosophy.
On the hand, the upper class is certainly not 'in' and I'm not really sure that this work hasn't been done. If it has it certainly isn't easy to find.
Then there's the issue of my work becoming to 70s-ish or 80s-ish...or 'worse' - 40s or 50s-ish!
McC advised me to not worry about such things. She told me to do what I found interesting and valuable from my perspective, and to not fret over what the next historical fad will be. Apparently, that's how she did her thesis and she is a pretty amazing woman.
Looking at the resources I have, I have a considerable number of primary documents from the upper class. They themselves could be enough for the work. I also have 'my house' - which I am very attached to and would love to write about.
I do know I have to shrug off some criticism I've received if I am to get anywhere with this proposal! Someone might be sorely disappointed that I am not writing my thesis of some aspect of slavery that's already been beaten to death by the Maryland School. But that's that person's problem and not mine.
Ok, so, back to the actual thesis.
I have:
- The Upperclass
- Statesmen
- Farmers
- Merchants
- The Middling Sort
- Free labor, underclass
- White
- Black
- Slaves
It seems that I should focus on the two ends - the masters and slaves. The middle sort are too varied, though fascinating.
If I focus on Masters and Slaves, I could consider
- intellectual/political work (i.e. that which was written and often published)
- social interaction
- among their gentry class
- among them and the slaves
- material culture
But to what end?
That is the question.
What is the actual thesis?
Let's try:
How did their ethnic background, schooling, and contemporary thought impact their thoughts, policies, behavior, and lifestyles?
How did the backgrounds of these people impact their creation of a gentry class? In particular, the Irish-Catholic Carroll family and the previously-nobody Ridgely Family. What about the Howards and Dorseys?
What were their feelings towards England? The Revolution?
How did the Revolution impact their lives?
How did they transition from Revolution to the War of 1812 to the "Era of Good Feeling"? (note: Panic of 1819 = good end date) What about large scale events like the Louisiana Purchase or the end of slave importation?
I'm not sure.
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