How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Now the baker's wife did not like children. (1.3)
Not liking children was seen at this time as "unnatural" for a woman—that's why the author uses it as a signal that the baker's wife is bad news.
Quote #2
"Let me try," said Violet. "Now, Benny, you can play that you are a little brown bear and you are running away to find a nice warm bed." (2.10)
When Henry tries to wake Benny, it doesn't go so well, but Violet is much more successful. In the world of The Boxcar Children, all of the nurturing falls to the women. Good luck, ladies.
Quote #3
"Good dog," said Jessie. "I can help you, but maybe it will hurt." […]
"Violet," ordered Jessie, "please wet my handkerchief in the brook." (4.11 and 4.13)
Remember what we said about nurturing being women's work in this book? Well, here's Jessie playing nurse with the dog. She just can't stop when it comes to taking care of others.
Quote #4
Now Jessie liked to have things in order, and so she put the laundry bag on some pine needles for a tablecloth. Then she cut the loaf of brown bread into five big pieces. (4.43)
Jessie and Henry are both big on organizing. But where Jessie organizes dinner, Henry organizes tools and nails in Dr. Moore's garage. Phew—stereotypical gender roles are still intact.
Quote #5
The next morning Jessie woke up first, and she got up at once, for she was the housekeeper. (5.1)
Yeah, yeah, we get it: Jessie is the housekeeper, Henry is the provider.
Quote #6
While the other children started the dam, Jessie washed all their stockings. (8.10)
She cooks and cleans? That Jessie sure is something else. We bet Henry never washed a stocking in his life.
Quote #7
"You boys can have the first swim," said Jessie. "We girls must go and get dinner." (8.27)
All of the food prep in the book is handled by Jessie and Violet. Dinner is clearly women's work in the world of The Boxcar Children.
Quote #8
It really was Violet's room. There were violets on the wallpaper. The bed was white with a violet cover. On the table were flowers.
"What a beautiful room!" cried Violet, sitting down in a soft, pretty chair. (13.7-13.8)
Though Violet is good at fixing things—it seems like she's always doing something with her little workbag—all of the tools are in her little brother's room. Her room is decorated with flowers.
Quote #9
He ran to the lady and climbed up in her lap before anyone could stop him.
"I'd like to keep you, Benny, in place of the dog," laughed the lady, putting her arms around him. (13.42-13.43)
Remember how the mean old baker's wife wanted to ship Benny off to the orphanage? The author signals this young woman's goodness by showing how much she likes children.