Mercy Otis Warren: A Female Voice

I had read other pieces of literature written by Mercy Otis Warren, so I was aware of the fact that the author of “The Group” was a woman living during the time of the Revolution. However, had I not known this I probably would have assumed the author was a man, simply because of the time period in which the play was written there weren’t very many female authors. Yet, one particular part in the play stands out as a big indication that a woman was writing this piece, and it’s when Warren begins talking about the wives of the gentlemen. Judge Meagre suggests to Simple Sappling that the group should give aid to their fellow Tories, and Sappling offers to let his house serve as a barracks for the troops. Sylla, surprised by Sappling’s offer, asks “Hast thou no wife who asks thy tender care, to guard her from Belona’s hardy sons? Who when not toiling in the hostile field, are faithful votaries to the Cyprian Queen. Or is her soul of such materials made indelicate, and thoughtless of her fame: so void of either sentiment or sense, as makes her a companion fit fir thee!” (13). In this one quote and the way Warren addresses women in general in the following lines of the play, it becomes quite clear to me that the play was written by a woman. Sylla’s concern with how Sappling’s decision to give up their home to the war will affect Silvia strikes me as a woman’s point of view. Dick, the Publican, claims that he pities Silvia, which provides further indication that the author is a female.

Some of Warren’s other characters slander women, but I think that even the slandering provides clues as to the author's gender. Sappling and Hateall slander their wives in a way that is very stereotypical of men, which indicates to me that a woman probably wrote these lines because women would certainly know these stereotypes the best. Sappling claims “if she [Silvia] complains or murmurs at the plan, let her solicit charity abroad” (13), insinuating that if Silvia didn’t approve of his decision, she could seek pity somewhere else. Hateall states that the only reason he married his wife Kate was “to secure her dowry” (13). The language and the tone of these two stereotypical male comments, indicates to me that the author of the play must be a woman. I found it very interesting that simply by her wording and tone in just a few lines of the play, Warren gives herself away as a female author.