Herland: Sprinkled by a Sense of Rationality

Charlotte Gilman's deliberate use of stereotypes and utopias, as we have discussed once before, establish a realistic, yet modernist undertone that remains passive throughout the duration of the story. While most classify "Herland" according to these techniques, others argue that it is heavily influenced by other literary styles of American history. This idea or interpretation, assuming its support is valid, could easily become a plausible conclusion. "Herland," as I see it, is sprinkled by a sense of rationality; it reflects reasoning and a peculiar dedication to thought. Most of the factors that engender this idea can be derived by Gilman's perception of a flawless paradise, lying mainly within the vision of a utopia. As readers delve deeper into this motif, they slowly unravel subtle enlightenment ideas that hint towards the genesis and philosophies of rationality. Utopias, while most widely accepted as a modernist thought, can be made from rational reasoning and action.

First, Herland's intentional rebellion against tradition emerges as a crucial characteristic of their society, one that triumphs in progression and rationality. A civilization governed by self-criticism and reexamination is a clear indication of such practices and ideologies. Moadine tells the boys that "[they] have no laws over a hundred years old, and most of them are under twenty" (54). In contrast with tradition, Herland society is perfectly acquitted to change as the world around them changes and new problems emerge. From their perspective, laws are meant to serve their present culture, accustomed to their existing conflicts.Secondly, Herland is based off of the concept of a greater good, in which its inhabitants and citizens sacrifice their pleasures for the larger community. The entire community works as a unified force to conquer common problems that conflict with productivity. For example, Herland as a whole works together to control populations through birth control: "at first each woman bore five children; and that, in their eager, desire to build up a nation, they had gone on in that way for a few centuries, till they were confronted with the absolute need of a limit. This fact was equally plain to all--all were equally interested' (60). The women surprisingly sacrifice the beauty of multiple children and restrict themselves to only one. This same ideology of equality and sharing is further illustrated when Somel justifies their decision: "we each have a million children to love and serve--our children" (60). Their use of teamwork and universal cooperation lie within the core ideologies of improvement, and, in turn, share connections with rationality.