Summary of Kate Moore's The Woman They Could Not Silence

By IRB Media

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book.

Book Preview: #1 The last day, Elizabeth Packard woke up in a handsome maple bed, body covered by a snow-white counterpane. She was surrounded by her six children, who were the sun, moon, and stars of her life.

#2 Theophilus had always tried to control Elizabeth, and she had always resisted him. But he had never before gone through her things at night, and she was shocked by his behavior.

#3 The marriage between Elizabeth and Theophilus was extremely depressing. Theophilus was a gloomy, timorous man who was completely indifferent to his wife’s existence. He did not allow her agency, and instead insisted that she obey him.

#4 The Packards’ marriage was falling apart, and it was all because of Elizabeth’s independent thinking and her questioning of the church and her husband’s beliefs.

• Language: English
• Publisher: IRB Media
• Release date: Feb 28, 2022
• ISBN: 9781669354314

IRB Media

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Insights on Kate Moore's The Woman They Could Not Silence

Contents

Insights from Chapter 1

Insights from Chapter 2

Insights from Chapter 3

Insights from Chapter 4

Insights from Chapter 5

Insights from Chapter 6

Insights from Chapter 1

#1

The last day, Elizabeth Packard woke up in a handsome maple bed, body covered by a snow-white counterpane. She was surrounded by her six children, who were the sun, moon, and stars of her life.

#2

Theophilus had always tried to control Elizabeth, and she had always resisted him. But he had never before gone through her things at night, and she was shocked by his behavior.

#3

The marriage between Elizabeth and Theophilus was extremely depressing. Theophilus was a gloomy, timorous man who was completely indifferent to his wife’s existence. He did not allow her agency, and instead insisted that she obey him.

#4

The Packards’ marriage was falling apart, and it was all because of Elizabeth’s independent thinking and her questioning of the church and her husband’s beliefs.

#5

Theophilus had made it clear he did not want to deal with his outspoken wife, and he had tried to silence her by suggesting she stop attending a Bible class he ran. But Elizabeth refused to act hypocritically and stop speaking out.

#6

The more Elizabeth spoke out for herself, the more her husband undermined her. In May 1860, she formally left his church. She knew the plan and the perpetrator: her husband, Theophilus.

#7

In the nineteenth century, women were supposed to be calm, compliant angels. They were even encouraged to feel indifferent to every sensation, because their health was thought to depend on it. Those women who displayed ungovernable personalities or strong character were textbook examples of mental instability.

#8

Elizabeth was constantly arguing with her husband, Theophilus, and his sister, Sybil Dole. She was also constantly being watched by her husband’s spy, who recorded everything she did.

#9

The trial was on June 16, and Theophilus tried to convince the soldiers that Elizabeth was insane. But when a doctor among them refused to cast his vote, Theophilus dismissed him as a quack.

#10

After she had married, Elizabeth had had to leave behind the thorough, scientific education she’d received as a girl. She had begun attending Bible class, and her writing skills had begun to develop. She had begun sewing a pocket in her underskirt so that she could conceal her essays.

#11

When Elizabeth heard the noise at the window, she was terrified. The men were inside the house now, and she could hear them breaking