53 pages 1 hour read

Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Herland

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1915

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Chapters 7-9

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 7 Summary: “Our Growing Modesty”

Zava, Somel, and Moadine give the men a personal tour of Herland. Terry continues to degrade the tutors in private, and Van and Jeff lose respect for him. His intense masculinity makes him a poor fit for Herland. He comes up with nicknames for the tutors, and he asks if the Herlanders have last names. Each woman has a unique name, and their names may evolve as their lives progress. Van suggests that last names identify which child belongs to which mother, but the Herlanders see it as unnecessary because they keep careful lineage records going all the way back to the First Mother. The Herlanders sign their names to items they create so the owners of the items can show gratitude, and the makers can demonstrate their pride. Jeff and Terry urge that the same principle should apply to the children, but Moadine counters that children are not private products.

In the past, young Herlanders were distinguished as either critics or inventors and were provided specialized training. Van avoids commenting on their method of progression because he is unprepared to answer the questions they may pose about the US. The food forest is arguably the most impressive innovation, and it easily supports the population—approximately 3 million.