While reading “A Calculus of Suffering,” I was frequently reminded of our discussion from Tuesday’s class and the reading for it. Obviously a lot of major themes resonated through both, as the readings from both days handled women breaking into a scientific/technological field which caused men to form assumptions about the capabilities of female scientists. Winter acknowledges the predominant representations of women in science, stating women were portrayed “as lacking creative powers and therefore as suited only to mechanical forms of intellectual activity” and only good as reproducers of knowledge – something examined by Jardins as related to female astronomers. In all fields of science, women faced similar segregations and stereotypes. Lovelace’s physician, Carpenter, even suggested she move away from the exact science and more toward natural history and physiology, as those were more suited for women. Winter also mentions how the metaphorical language of magic allowed women to represent their intellect without disposing of their femininity, much like the female astronomers were “housekeepers of the stars”. Their science was put into terms that would reinforce their femininity and ensure most of science remained male dominated. Winter concludes her article by telling us that Lovelace’s obituary mentioned only her husband and children, not any of her intellectual work. By the public she was remembered only as a wife and mother, not as a scientist. Many of the female astronomers were only acknowledged after their death or late in life, and emphasis was put on how feminine they remained, even as they contributed to a masculine coded field.
Lovelace, however, was also very different from the women astronomers we talked about during our last class. Her marriage did not prove an obstacle to her love of math, and while many people tried to get her to be a better mother, she remained devoted to science. In addition, she strove to be an authority through nontraditional means, such as the ethereal. Lovelace’s attention, despite Carpenter’s efforts, remained in the masculine realm of exact science. Lovelace was also interested in surpassing her father, something most of the female astronomers shied away from. Only Maury expressed ambition, while all the others did not challenge male authority once in their field of work. Lovelace’s introspection and self-absorption also seemed at odds with the public persona of the female astronomers, whose image revolved around selflessness and devotion to their work.
