elicately handled in the novel. The character of Rachel Winslow is the magnificent, talented church choir member. Her talents far exceed the walls of the church in which she entertains. Her mother is excited at the prospect of Rachel traveling with a comic opera company, but her beautiful daughter turns down the fruitful offer. Instead, Rachel volunteers to go out to the Rectangle and spread the word of God and the joy of her singing. This relates to the role that women played in this time period. Women were placed in a role of bettering society. Many women took up roles in organizations that were devoted to make a positive difference in American Society. Women lobbied for Child’s labor reform and woman suffrage. Rachel Winslow demonstrates these qualities in the novel.In conclusion, the parallel existent in the novel and in real life is quite obvious. The novel accurately depicts the time period in an entertaining, thought provoking manner. The Progressive Era certainly marked a change in American Society, and many positive things came out of it. ...
