Topic > Disability and Containment in Early American Literature

As a result of eugenic beliefs perpetuated throughout society, “The mentally disabled [partner] posed a threat to community morality, as did any potential offspring who might inherit ethical and physical deficiencies of the parent and therefore prevent genetic improvement” (Arant 70). This concept of disabled people posing a threat to the community that needs to be contained is not only evident in the works mentioned above, but also in other works and presents a key motivation (however despicable and unfounded) for many of the actions of imprisonment described in the early American writings. literature on disability. The short story "Lily Daw and the Three Ladies" captures where these concepts of moral intelligence and containment meet. The story alludes to the idea that the three hypocritical women who consider themselves protectors of the disabled protagonist, Lily, believe they possess a moral intelligence superior to hers and as such have the right to control and govern her life. They see themselves as the righteous protectors of the community, so when it is discovered that Lily may have been sexually promiscuous they take it upon themselves to contain her and prevent the threat of her sexual maturity from ruining the morality of the community. It is clear that they do not care how she is contained, only that her risk is eliminated when they oscillate between sending her to an institution or marrying her. They corrupt her and eventually use her