“Though I Am a Woman, I Am Not a Defenceless One!”: Women and Violence in Nineteenth-Century Pirate Stories

Resonating with British and American audiences inspiring many later pirate stories, Byron’s The Corsair (1814) participated in a transatlantic conversation about female responses to violent masculinity. In an 1869 Rhode Island newspaper article, woman recalled reading as child debating whether name her favorite doll Medora, the wife of pirate, or Gulnare, who kills their captor rescue pirate. Within poem, Gulnare becomes less desirable eyes after act, but S. H. W. decides on sews needle-like bodkin represent dagger, thereby providing symbol Gulnare’s agency. This particular reader response suggests that independent action, which gave control over situation, resonated some readers America. Authors early such James Fenimore Cooper, refused endorse model womanhood included violence. However, Ballou’s extremely popular FannyCampbell (1844) constructed lady embodies incorporates conventional feminine traits virtue, moral influence, redemptive womanhood, also draws justified violence male adventure hero. As captain, Fanny combines aspects honorable gentleman from active woman, not unlike realizes certain situations redemption are options, she must use defense herself others.