February 29th, 1880
Today has been the most delightful day as I embarked on the wonders of a new culinary exploration. There is nothing as satisfying as preparing a new recipe and witnessing the delight it brings to my dear beloved. I just had to save this recipe alongside the many others in this journal, so my future daughters may use this when their time comes to prepare a meal to satisfy their husband.
Yesterday morning, I came across the most enticing recipe in the paper. The American Johnny Cake! It’s an absolute riot, I declare! My dear Charles found it absolutely uproarious that as a mere woman from Britain, I decided to make an American cake!
On the day past, I set forth to the marketplace. I gathered all the necessary ingredients that I did not already own. In the delight of my own culinary chamber, I got to work at the break of this day following the departure of my beloved for his daily labor. There is nothing I enjoy more than preparing an afternoon meal for my household.
As we gathered for tea, my American Johnny cake was the household's most enthralling offering. First, Charles glided his knife through the layers, and the look of pure bliss and assurance on his face after the first bite justified the labor of preparing it. I had an overwhelming sense of pride as the members of my household savored each bite. I know tonight I shall sleep with the most content heart as I created a cherished meal that should be savored for my family for many more to come.
- Adelaide
Editorial Commentary-
Adelaide’s entry from February 29th,1880, shows insights into the daily life, gender and family roles of the Victorian time period. Adelaide’s role as a woman in her time period is evident through her wanting to complete the task of cooking for her household. During this time it was very common for the women to do the cooking for their family, “...Victorian town houses reflected the internal hierarchy of the bourgeois family– the public ‘masculine’ parlor was located at the front of the house while the private ‘feminine’ kitchen was located in the rear.” (Hasell 2). Cooking was viewed as the woman's role whereas the men's role was to work and relax/be taken care of by their wife when they are done with work. Adelaide was eager and excited to do this for her family, this aligns with the traditional gender roles of this era where women were responsible for managing the home and family. The importance of family during this time is also displayed as she shows a desire to document this recipe so her daughters may be able to use it in the future. It also shows the importance of family meals and having that time to see their satisfaction with her work. According to Curran, eating with the family has many benefits such as, preventing mental disorders, improving child esteem, improving communication skills, and it can act as a family therapy session (Curran). Adelaide’s display of excitement for dinner with her family displays her care for her family. Adelaide’s commonplace book can be used to show the daily life of families in Victorian Era Britain. Her use of keeping a journal helps researchers gain a firsthand account of the personal experiences women like Adelaide lived through.
Curran, Erica Jackson. “7 Unexpected Benefits of Eating Together as a Family, According to Science.” Parents, Parents, 13 Feb. 2023, www.parents.com/recipes/tips/unexpected-benefits-of-eating-together-as-…;
Hasell, Mary Joyce, et al. “GENDER CHOICE AND DOMESTIC SPACE: PREFERENCES FOR KITCHENS IN MARRIED HOUSEHOLDS.” Journal of Architectural and Planning Research, vol. 10, no. 1, 1993, pp. 1–22. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/43029273. Accessed 11 Oct. 2023.
Thomas, Henry Mackenzie. “Recipe.” Weekly Mail, 28 Feb. 1880.