Charity Rakestraw

Historian, Author, Curriculum Designer, CBE Administrator

Menu

Skip to content
  • About
  • CV
  • Book

Book

“In Ministers and Masters Charity [Rakestraw] Carney presents a thorough account of the way in which Methodist preachers constructed their own concept of masculinity within–and at times in defiance of–the constraints of southern honor culture of the early nineteenth century. By focusing on this unique subgroup of southern men, the book explores often-debated concepts like southern honor and patriarchy in a new way.387774_10100524963176655_1806208912_n

Carney analyzes Methodist preachers both involved with and separate from mainstream southern society, and notes whether they served as itinerants–venturing into rural towns–or remained in city churches to witness to an urban population. Either way, they looked, spoke, and acted like outsiders, refusing to drink, swear, dance, duel, or even dress like other white southern men. Creating a separate space in which to minister to southern men, women, and children, oftentimes converting a dancehall floor into a pulpit, raised the ire of non- Methodists around them. Carney shows how understanding these distinct and defiant differences provides an invaluable window into antebellum society and also the variety of masculinity standards within that culture.

In Ministers and Masters, Carney uses ministers’ stories to reinforce notions of secular sinfulness and heroic Methodist leadership, exposes contradictory tales of spiritual equality and racial hierarchy, and builds a complex narrative that shows how numerous ministers both rejected and adopted concepts of southern mastery. Torn between convention and conviction, Methodist preachers created one of the many ”Souths” that existed in the nineteenth century and added another dimension to the well-documented culture of antebellum society.”

Purchase Ministers and Masters on Amazon.

Advertisement

Share this:

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Like this:

Like Loading...
Widgets

Charity on Twitter

Error: Please make sure the Twitter account is public.

Follow Charity Rakestraw on WordPress.com

Search Site

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 762 other subscribers
Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Follow Following
    • Charity Rakestraw
    • Join 34 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Charity Rakestraw
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Copy shortlink
    • Report this content
    • View post in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...
 

You must be logged in to post a comment.

    %d bloggers like this: