“Essays on the re-fixing of moral standards.” (Sub-title) Of the “hideous abuses” created by three generations of industrialism and brought to a climax by the war, the author is considering those affecting the position and moral standards of women. The book is an attempt to distinguish between a “too ready acceptance of the fashions of the day,” and a “too loyal obedience to the prejudices of yesterday.” Accordingly she would curb the too frantic present day rebelliousness of women by a return to the Jewish ideal of marriage as a religious duty, and praising the perfect feminist ideal inherited by the Jewish women. On the other hand she would facilitate divorce, would lift the burden of illegitimacy from the shoulders of innocent children, and would procure some sort of honorable recognition for sexual partnerships outside of marriage. The essays are: Introductory; The prosperity of fools; The covenant of God; That which is wanting; “Give, give!” If a child could choose? Foreseeing evil; Conclusion, and appendices.
“The book is well worth reading.”
+ Ath p320 Mr 5 ’20 200w
“In justice to Mrs Hartley I must admit that in the earlier part of ‘Women’s wild oats’ she argues for the home as against the factory. But the second half of her book is a defense of all the things which tend to break up the home. Even in Mrs Hartley’s early chapters the hysterical note in her ‘womanly womanliness’ led me to expect that it would not last.” T: Maynard
− Bookm 52:74 S ’20 840w
“There are those, however, who will be inclined to think that her comparisons of English with American conditions are rather too flattering to American life of the present day. Either that or we must read into the English situation even darker colors than those with which she paints it. Nevertheless hers has been a healthful effort and should do good in clearing away some of the illusions of the situation.” D. L. M.
+ Boston Transcript p4 Je 9 ’20 850w
“In spite of her fervid indignation at the unnecessary burdens of woman-kind, she usually fails to understand the real difficulties and she altogether ignores more radical cures. Her own favoured remedies are too vaguely indicated to be a matter for demonstration or refutation; they are rather the passionate assertions of a personal faith.” V. G.
− Freeman 2:333 D 15 ’20 300w