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Sarah Scott's
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Sarah Robinson Scott (1723-1795)
Sarah Scott was born into a life of standing and privilege. Her title of 'lady' that she carried throughout her life proved this upper or upper middle class social ranking. She was brought up on one of her family's large estates at Mount Morris in Kent. She was raised in a very patriacrchal home environment. Her father, Matthew Robinson, held many of the typical female views at that time. He treated his daughters with disrespect and devalued the notable education that his wife received. Mrs. Robinson was an important influence in Sarah Scott's life. She taught her daughters the importance of pursuing an education and striving to be intellectual. After her death, Matthew Robinson took more and more away from his daughters. He would only financially support an education that would prepare them for marriage and make them worthy to suitors. Then he provided them with a minimal dowry that was just big enough to entice the attention of a future husband. For his sons however he provided for the best education in order that they could study for public careers and public affairs. They went on to get professions in diplomacy law, the clergy and the merchant navy.
The story of Millenium Hall is a description of a Utopian
society. The appealing aspects of this ideal society rest on the positive images
of economy and religion. Through a revised vision of the traditional economy,
members of Millenium Hall live in communities where neighbors thrive on reciprocal
relationships.
"...Than if we lived together, and all help one another. Now, there is neighbor Susan, and neighbor Rachel; Susan is lame, so she spins cloaths for Rachel; and Rachel cleans Susan's house, and does such things for her as she cannot do for herself" (66).
The religious element of Millenium Hall is ideal because the women view God as their "Supreme Legislator." Their society is built on kindness and compassion for others. By helping others, we help ourselves.
"...But the ladies condescended to make it up amongst us, and shewed up so kindly how much it was our duty to agree together, and to forgive every body their faults, or else we could not hope to be forgiven by God,...that now we love one another like sisters, or indeed better..." (67).
It is through these Utopian ideals that the women of Millenium Hall live in harmony and peace with one another. These women do not serve men, they serve each other. Their community is based on service to one another. The ideals shared in Millenium Hall are very similar to Christine de Pizan's Book of the City of the Ladies and Mary Astell's A Serious Proposal to the Ladies.
The structure of Millenium Hall is made up of three parts:
1. Description
2. Utopian Estate
3. Histories
The description of Millenium Hall places a narrative within the story. The narrative is that of Mrs. Maynard telling the story to the speaker who is male. The Utopian estate is the image of the Utopian society that is created by these women. The author describes a perfect but nonexistant political state. This society created by the women is considered a model society. The histories part of Millenium Hall is the account of the lives of the women that are part of the society of Millenium Hall such as Miss Mancel, Mrs. Morgan, Lady Mary Jones, Mrs. Selvyn and Mrs. Trentham. The histories give us a better description of the women of Millenium Hall.
Scott, Sarah. A Description of Millenium Hall. Edited by Gary Kelly. New York: Broadview Press, 2001.
