She understood that a son, in her era, would have a better chance of climbing up the ladder and she accepts some help from men along the way.
However, if written today, she wouldn't be seen as one, as she passionately wants a son.
A strong-willed young Irish girl arrives in Philadelphia in the middle of the 19th Century and, after finding employment as a maid in one of Philly's "finest" families, swears to herself that her son will be raised to join the ranks of Philly's elite.įor a 1950's view of a mid-1800s woman, Maggie is a heroine - she takes responsibilities for her actions, won't play victim (to a consensual sexual encounter with her employer's son) and fights to keep her child without taking charity. The Philadelphian is a darn fine example of the latter. Often, they would start with an immigrant coming to America and would proceed to track the family's advancement as several generations "climb" the social and economic ladder until they either have arrived at/near the top where their new status is threatened or they are just about to break into the top ranks but are being thwarted by "the old guard." The Philadelphian by Richard Powell, originally published in 1957īook themes and styles have a vogue today, for example, almost every new fiction book I read has a strong female character(s) defeating arrogant, sexist men in the '50s, multi-generational family sagas were popular.
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