Origins, definitions, and social circumstances -- The metropolitan sources of the Adamses' views of sensibility -- The meanings of sensibility -- The theory of gendered sensibility -- Social circles and the reformation of female manners -- Young American women enter the world -- Particular applications -- A woman's struggle over sensibility -- Sensibility and reform -- Abigail's perspective, public versus private -- John Adams and the reformation of male manners -- The pleasures and pains of public life -- Private perpetuation -- Raising children with sensibility -- A reformed rake? -- The question answered -- Conclusion -- The Americanization of sensibility.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.