Stuart Flora Cooke Stuart and J.E.B. Stuart

[Northern Light]

No, it isn't. If I were 87, I would sure rather go that way than lingering sick and helpless in bed for God knows how long.

Oh, I agree, but sad that it has to end with a senseless accident. She should have just fallen asleep and never woken up.

 

[K Hale]

Oh, I agree, but sad that it has to end with a senseless accident. She should have just fallen asleep and never woken up.

Why? Then someone (daughter, grandkids) has to come in and find the body. I've been there.

 

[Northern Light]

Why? Then someone (daughter, grandkids) has to come in and find the body. I've been there.

So have I, but as much a shock to us, it is better, as you say, than to linger on, unknowing and unresponsive. Been there too.

 

[diane]

Scarlett was also 16 or 17 years old. It was not expected that a young woman would stay in mourning too long, and would likely NEED a second husband., as Scarlett surely did.
Because of the life insurance policy that she claimed, Flora was able to stay in mourning for longer than most women in the postbellum South.

She didn't just live on the policy as it wasn't enough for 59 years! She was a teacher and also had some help from her son, Jeb Jr, who always made sure his mother was ok. Both sides of the family had lots of members, so she often visited or moved in with various relations. It's not too surprising, though, that she didn't remarry. Jeb Stuart was her soulmate - she wanted to marry him directly but he thought maybe they should wait at least a little. Even so, her father was surprised when they decided to get married at his house.

 

[Northern Light]

She didn't just live on the policy as it wasn't enough for 59 years! She was a teacher and also had some help from her son, Jeb Jr, who always made sure his mother was ok. Both sides of the family had lots of members, so she often visited or moved in with various relations. It's not too surprising, though, that she didn't remarry. Jeb Stuart was her soulmate - she wanted to marry him directly but he thought maybe they should wait at least a little. Even so, her father was surprised when they decided to get married at his house.

I didn't mean to imply that she lived solely on the policy for the rest of he life. What I meant was that it gave her some time and some options, so she did not HAVE to marry again to survive. I apologize if I wasn't clear about that.
So many women had little choice after their husbands died, and marriage, even if not ideal, was often an alternative to a live of poverty, giving their children a better chance in life. Flora was not placed in this position, because of the foresight of JEB's brother.

 

[Valette Bedford]

Scarlett was also 16 or 17 years old. It was not expected that a young woman would stay in mourning too long, and would likely NEED a second husband., as Scarlett surely did.
Because of the life insurance policy that she claimed, Flora was able to stay in mourning for longer than most women in the postbellum South.

Not to make too much of this, but in the novel Mitchell makes it quite clear that there is significant social disapproval of Scarlett's discarding her mourning too quickly; it's viewed as a sign of disrespect and worse. Her first husband dies early in the war and leaves her a substantial estate. Scarlett is in no hurry to marry again. As Mitchell also observes, however, many social customs were abbreviated or ignored as the war went on. The life insurance policy is a good point - Flora could afford not to seek out another husband to support her.

 

[Northern Light]

Not to make too much of this, but in the novel Mitchell makes it quite clear that there is significant social disapproval of Scarlett's discarding her mourning too quickly; it's viewed as a sign of disrespect and worse. Her first husband dies early in the war and leaves her a substantial estate. Scarlett is in no hurry to marry again. As Mitchell also observes, however, many social customs were abbreviated or ignored as the war went on. The life insurance policy is a good point - Flora could afford not to seek out another husband to support her.

Well, Scarlett never seemed too worried about anyone's opinion, except her mother's!

 

[K Hale]

So have I, but as much a shock to us, it is better, as you say, than to linger on, unknowing and unresponsive. Been there too.

Me too, lost both parents that way. Quicker is better.

 

[Northern Light]

Me too, lost both parents that way. Quicker is better.

Yup!