TAHPS Day 1-Document Project

Class, Philanthropy, Religion, and the evolving Industrial Economy how are they at once different and intertwined. Today was the start of our TAHPS summer institute and the discussion centered on the ever changing and undulating face of American society. To tell this story Paul E. Johnson and Sean Wilentz weave together the history of Matthias a colorful character of American History in their book Kingdom of Mathias: Sex and Salvation in 19^th Century America. Mathias’ story mirrors that of many Americans of the 19^th century and their growth within the emerging middle-class. Middle-Class America trotted down the path of middle-class emergence while at the same time creating the very path. In a very real sense the American Middle Class was to embark on a path of self discovery creating a new section of society as their feet pounded the pavement of creation.

With them came all the baggage of inherited traditions and values, including religion and preconceived notions on society, among others. Religion became the thread that wound through all classes while at the same time keeping these divisions cemented. Threading religion into American society is not to be frowned upon because religion is so pervasive in American life. Religion is the glue that for most people binds and guides them in their everyday lives. As Dr. Petrik stated in her discussion with the class today, when a person moves to a new location they are drawn to the familiar and the church fits the bill. And it is Mathias that exploits this familiarity to make himself anew in the middle-class image of the self made man. But Mathias is overshadowed in this quest of the self made by a person whose life has been shaped, quite literally, by events of the 19^th Century, Sojourner Truth. Sojourner not remakes her name, but her life as well. These transformations are mere personal examples of the ongoing struggle of an entire generation trying to find its way in an emerging American society of Middle-Class. For further entertainment on this subject please see the following project designed by Ben Doll, Adam Plummer, and Vickie Wold here.