First Class in Botany.—Please Rise!
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Title
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First Class in Botany.—Please Rise!
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Creator
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E. S. Brooks
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Description
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By the end of the 19th century, courses related to natural history, such as botany, became the most popular among girls. There was a widespread belief that studying nature would benefit girls because not only was nature’s delicacy aligned with the sensitive traits of women, but they could also learn pedagogical skills and learn about God. This gender-specific idea around natural sciences was strongly disseminated by schoolbook authors like Almira H. L. Phelps.
This image, where a mother shows her child some plants and the text reads: “First class in botany—Please Rise!” is a humorous illustration that satirizes the conceptions of girls’ education and when it should “start”.
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Date
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1887
