DISCOVERING THE PAST

A Gay Family Feast –

with Some Tears

English

51

January 2013

In Holland the Feast of St. Nicholas, who is our Santa Claus, is celebrated with much gayety on December 5. This is the day when children put their shoes at the fireplace to be filled with sweets if the children have been good or with a bunch of bare twigs if they have been naughty.

In our picture the Dutch painter Jan Steen takes us right into his home on the Eve of the Feast of St. Nicholas.

We can see that it is evening, for the room is only dimly lit by the setting sun. The reddish glow highlights the white linen collars and hoods that surround merry faces and – oh yes – one that is not merry at all. The brightest white collar belongs to one little boy who

is crying as his older sister shows him his shoe with twigs in it.

But we are pretty sure that everything is going to turn out right, for the crying boy’s younger brother smiles good-naturedly while he pokes his forefinger at the crying one. And if we look carefully, we can see Grandma in the dark background secretly beckoning to him to come with her into the other room. Surely she has some goodies there for her sad little grandson. For everybody must he happy on this day.

They are all smiling: the little girl carrying her load of presents, the Mother holding out her arms to the child, and the Father sitting contentedly in the middle of the crowd. There must be considerable noise of laughter and song and shouting, just as there would be on any such occasion. There is no end to the festivities in this room. The eldest brother, with the baby of the family on his arm, is beckoning to someone

we cannot see.

We feel the warmth of real life here. The painter has made this scene as true to life as if we were looking at it in a mirror.

Dutch painters often painted like that. Most of them made pictures of simple people, fun-loving and gay, for the simple fun-loving people who liked such pictures.

Jan Steen painted mostly scenes of his own family, and an easy-going happy family it was. He did not care to paint anything but good fun and warm gayety as he saw it around him, and that he did

– with admirable skill.

From The Story of Art and Music

The Eve of St. Nicholas painted about 1665

by Jan Steen (1626–1679)

English

DISCOVERING THE PAST

52 Using Online Resources

January 2013

and Studying American History

THE HATFIELD & MCCOY FEUD

A Shakespearian Story Americans Grew Up With

The Hatfield-McCoy saga begins when close friends and comrades until near the end of the Civil War return to their neighboring homes – Hatfield in West Virginia, McCoy just across the Tug River border in Kentucky. Misunderstandings soon explode into all-out warfare between their families. As hostilities grow, friends, neighbors and outside forces join the fight, bringing the two states to the brink of another civil war.

The Hatfields and McCoys. In the USA, even a mere mention of their names stirs up visions of a lawless family feud. But who were the Hatfields and McCoys, and what was the source of this vicious and violent clash between the families?

During the most heated years of the feud, each family was ruled by a well-known patriarch. William Anderson Hatfield, known as “Devil Anse,” had the appearance of a backwoods mountain dweller. By the 1870s, Devil Anse was an increasingly successful timber merchant who employed dozens of men, including some McCoys. On the other side of the feud stood Randolph “Old Ranel” McCoy. Though not as prosperous as Devil Anse, Randolph owned some land and livestock. Both families lived along the Tug Fork of the Big Sandy River, which snaked along the boundary between Kentucky and West Virginia, and both families had complex kinship and social networks. Family loyalty was often determined not only by blood but by employment and proximity. The families even intermarried and sometimes switched family loyalties, even once the feud had started.

The first event in the decades-long feud was the 1865 murder of Randolph’s brother, Asa Harmon McCoy, by the Logan Wildcats, a local militia group that counted Devil Anse and other Hatfields among its members. Many people

– even members of his own family – regarded Asa Harmon, who had served in the Union Army during the American

Civil War, as a traitor. While some have supposed that his murder set the stage for the feud, most historians now see this incident as a stand-alone event.

Relations between the two families continued to sour over the next decade before growing again over a seemingly small matter: a dispute over a single hog. In 1878 Randolph McCoy accused Floyd Hatfield, a cousin of Devil Anse, of stealing one of his pigs, a valuable commodity in the poor region. Floyd Hatfields’s trial took place in McCoy territory but was presided over by a cousin of Devil Anse. It hinged on the testimony of star witness Bill Staton, a McCoy relative married to a Hatfield. Staton testified in Floyd Hatfield’s favor, and the McCoys were infuriated when Floyd was cleared of the charges against him. Two years later, Staton was violently killed in a fight with Sam and Paris McCoy, nephews of Randolph. Sam stood trial for the murder but was acquitted for self-defense reasons.

Within months of Staton’s murder, a heated affair of a different sort was set ablaze. At a local election day gathering in 1880, Johnse Hatfield, the 18-year-old son of Devil Anse, encountered Roseanna McCoy, Randolph’s daughter. According to accounts, Johnse and Roseanna hit it off, disappearing together for hours. Supposedly fearing retaliation from her family for mingling with the Hatfields, Roseanna stayed at the Hatfield residence for a period of time. The McCoys were infuriated.

Although they certainly shared a romance, it rapidly became clear that Johnse was not about to settle down with Roseanna. Several months later he abandoned the pregnant Roseanna and quickly moved on. In May 1881 he married Nancy McCoy, Roseanna’s cousin. According to the romanticized legend, Roseanna was heartbroken by these events and never recovered emotionally. She is a Juliet of that era.

The real turning point in the feud, according to most historical accounts, occurred on another local election day in August 1882. Three of Randolph McCoy’s sons ended up in a violent dispute with two brothers of Devil Anse. The fight soon snowballed into chaos as one of the McCoy brothers

Hatfield Clan

Ellison Cottontop Mounts hanging

DISCOVERING THE PAST		English
		53
		January 2013

Randolph	Asa Harmon	William Anderson
McCoy	McCoy	Hatfield

stabbed Ellison Hatfield multiple times and then shot him in the back. Authorities soon arrested the McCoys, but soon the Hatfields managed to trap and kill all the three brothers.

Though the Hatfields might have felt their revenge was warranted, the law felt otherwise, quickly returning indictments against 20 men, including Devil Anse and his sons. Despite the charges, the Hatfields avoided arrest, leaving the McCoys boiling with anger about the murders and outraged that the Hatfields walked free.

The media started to report on the feud in 1887. In their accounts, the Hatfields were often portrayed as violent backwoods hillbillies who roamed the mountains stirring up violence. The sensationalist coverage planted the seed for the rivalry to become cemented in the American imagination. What had been a local story was becoming a national legend.

The Hatfields may or may not have been paying attention to these stories, but they were certainly paying attention to the bounty on their heads. In an effort to end the commotion once and for all, a group of the Hatfields and their supporters hatched a plan to attack Randolph McCoy and his family. Led by Devil Anse’s son Cap and ally Jim Vance, a group of Hatfield men ambushed the McCoys’ home on New Year’s Day in 1888. Randolph fled, escaping into the woods. His son Calvin and daughter Alifair were killed in the crossfire; his wife Sarah was left badly beaten by the Hatfields, suffering a crushed skull.

A few days after what became known as the New Year’s Massacre, bounty hunter Frank Phillips chased down Jim Vance and Cap Hatfield, killing Vance. Phillips rounded up nine Hatfield family members and supporters and took them to jail. Eventually, the Hatfield case went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. The trial began in 1889, and in the end, eight of the Hatfields and their supporters were sentenced to life in prison. Ellison Mounts, who was believed to be the son of Ellison Hatfield, was sentenced to death. Most people viewed him as a scapegoat even though he had confessed his guilt. Although public executions were against the law in Kentucky, thousands of spectators gathered to witness the hanging of Ellison Mounts on February 18, 1890. Reports claim that his last words were: “They made me do it! The Hatfields made me do it!”

As the feud faded, both family leaders attempted to recede into relative obscurity. Randolph McCoy became a ferry operator. In 1914 he died at the age of 88 from burns suffered in an accidental fire. By all accounts, he continued to be haunted by the deaths of his children. Devil Anse Hatfield, who had long proclaimed his skepticism about religion, was

born again later in life when he was baptized for the first time at age 73.

Although the conflict subsided generations ago, the names Hatfield and McCoy continue to loom large in the American imagination. Launched in 2000, the Hatfield and McCoy Reunion Festival and Marathon are held annually in June on a three-day weekend. The events take place in Pikeville, KY, Matewan, W.V., and Williamson, W.V. The festival commemorates the famed feud and includes a marathon. Its motto is “no feudin’, just runnin’. The festival typically attracts thousands, with more than 300 runners taking part in the races.

There is also a six-hour series which tells about the feud and features some of Hollywood’s top talents like Kevin Costner.

ACTIVITIES

(http://www.history.com/shows/hatfields-and-mccoys)

I. Watch videos (bios, introduction to the bios) and match seven names of the Hatfields and McCoys with an adjective best describing each personality.

1.Devil Anse Hatfield

2.Randall McCoy

3.Roseanna McCoy

4.Wall Hatfield

5.Jim Vance

6.Perry Cline

7.Cotton Top Mounts

a.educated

b.dignified

c.psychotic

d.simple-minded

e.romantic

f.violent

g.jealous

Key: 1. f, 2. g, 3. e, 4. b, 5. c, 6. a, 7. d

II. Play Hatfields & McCoys Trivia Game on http://www.history.com/shows/hatfields-and-mccoys/inter- actives/hatfields-and-mccoys-trivia-game

Submitted by Irina Ishkhneli,

School No. 1738, Moscow

From http://www.history.com/shows/hatfields-and-mccoys

English TEXTS FOR READING

54January 2013 Men and Women:

Are We from Different Planets?

A.Some people say that men and women are different in every aspect. Do you agree with this point of view? Make a list of situations in which men and women behave differently.

B.Read the text “Men and Women: Are We from Different Planets?” and say what the world would be like if men and women were alike?

In many prehistoric cultures, men’s role was to hunt, to build and defend their shelters and women’s role was to gather plants and to take care of children. Throughout history, the gender roles of men and women have changed greatly. The industrial and technological revolutions have decreased the demand of male physical ability. In densely-populated cities there are many jobs which are less physically demanding. In the past, women were usually confined to their homes, but today they do not want to spend their lives performing only domestic tasks. They are becoming career and education oriented. Women demand equal rights and opportunities for both sexes. Today, men have to compete with women for jobs that traditionally excluded women.

The fact that men and women enjoy equal rights and opportunities in many societies does not help them understand each other better. On the contrary, it seems that there is a great abyss between them. A lot of writers, psychologists and scientists have studied gender differences and focused their work on them. Some people are convinced that men and women are different in every aspect.

To emphasize gender differences we sometimes say that ‘men are from Mars and women are from Venus’. Most men find women mysterious and illogical. Women complain that men keep most of their emotions locked deep within and never say what they really feel. Men and women have different interests and values. Men are fond of cars, computers, sports and fishing, while women are carried away by romance novels and are glued to the TV when a soap opera is on. Men value power, achievement and competency. Women value love, stability, beauty and comfort. It is difficult for men to understand how the opposite sex can be so emotional and talkative. At the same time, women can’t understand why men are so reserved and terse. Very often men and women have absolutely different views about housework, shopping, politics, recreation, hobbies and many other subjects.

Men are expected to be practical, hard-working, realistic and logical. Women are expected to be home-oriented, loving, caring, understanding and emotionally balanced. Men are supposed to be financial providers and women are supposed to take care of the household and to nurture and raise children. Both men and women experience their own levels of stress trying to live up to the expectations of their families. But instead of sharing their problems and discontent with each other, many men and women retreat into themselves and suffer silently from the lack of understanding. We often mistakenly think that the opposite sex ‘want what we want’

and ‘feel the way we feel’. As a result many relationships come to an end and many marriages end up in divorce.

What is the secret of a happy relationship? It is very important to listen to your partner and to be supportive. You should avoid topics like sports and politics if your opinions in these areas are absolutely different. You should be able to communicate openly and to forgive each other. Both men and women should realize that they are each human beings with many of the same desires, needs and dreams. We are all aiming for love, success, happiness and prosperity. And we will be able to reach these goals if we forget about gender differences and try to discover creative solutions and accept compromises. Love should be based on mutual respect and responsibility.

EXERCISES

1. Complete each sentence (A–H) with one of the endings

(1–8).

A.The industrial and technological revolutions have decreased…

B.In the past, women were often limited to their homes, but today they don’t want to…

C.Today, men have to compete with women for…

D.Most men find women…

E.Women complain that men…

F.Men are usually expected to be…

G.Women are expected to be…

H.We often mistakenly think that the opposite sex…

1.‘want what we want’ and ‘feel the way we feel’.

2.keep most of their emotions locked deep within and never say what they really feel.

3.home oriented, loving, caring, understanding and emotionally balanced.

4.practical, hard-working, realistic and logical.

5.the demand for the physical ability of men.

6.jobs that traditionally excluded women.

7.mysterious and illogical.

8.spend their lives performing domestic tasks.

2. Give the definitions of the following words.

• competency	• terse	• stability	• logical
• talkative	• prosperity	• reserved	• compromise

3. Read the following proverbs and explain their meaning.

•If you want to understand men, study women. (French Proverb)

•Men and women are never placed too far apart to be close.

(Japanese Proverb)

•Men and women sleep on the same pillow, but they have different dreams. (Mongolian Proverb)

•Happy is the marriage where the husband is the head and the wife the heart. (Estonian Proverb)

•In a good family, the husband is deaf and the wife blind.

(French Proverb)

•It is the wife who knows her husband. (Ghanaian Proverb)

•When the husband is a hen and the wife is a cock, the house is topsy-turvy. (Maltese Proverb)

•When husband and wife live in harmony, they can dry up the ocean without a bucket. (Vietnamese Proverb)

4.Answer the questions.

1)What were men and women’s roles in many prehistoric cultures?

2)How have the gender roles of men and women changed throughout history?

3)Is it good that many men have jobs which are less physically demanding and many women have become more career oriented? Why or why not?

4)Why don’t many men and women understand the opposite sex?

5)What different and same interests and values do men and women have?

6)What role are men/women expected to play in the modern world?

7)Why do many men and women experience stress over relationships?

8)What are some reasons why many relationships end and many marriages end up in divorce?

9)What is the secret of a happy man-woman relationship? 10) What should real love be based on?

5.Read what men say about women and what women say about men. Continue the list of complaints and discuss it with your group mates.

ABOUT WOMEN

• ‘Shopping with my wife drives me crazy! She can spend two hours trying on new clothes. When I say ‘Let’s buy this sweater and go home for God’s sake’ she says I don’t care for her.’ (Brian, 32)

• ‘My girlfriend knows the way to make me do anything. She begins crying. I can’t stand her tears! They make me feel uncomfortable and confused. I immediately begin to comfort her and say I will do anything she wants.’ (Connor, 19)

• ‘What irritates me is when my wife spends hours talking on the phone. If she wants to discuss something important with her friends or colleagues why not meet and talk face to face? I don’t like garrulous people and a woman who pronounces 200 words a minute makes me feel tired and embarrassed.’ (Daniel, 43)

TEXTS FOR READING		English
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		January 2013

ABOUT MEN

•‘I hate it when my husband doesn’t fulfill his promises. Every time I ask him to fix the vacuum cleaner or to hang a picture he says he will do it later and immediately forgets about my request. Besides, when I try to remind him about something, he calls me a nag.’ (Emily, 27)

•‘My husband never helps me about the house! Every time I ask him to wash the dishes or to vacuum the room he says that he has a terrible headache/toothache/stomachache; that he must make an urgent call or watch the latest news; that he has much work to do and as a matter of fact he is not so good at domestic chores as I am.’ (Jessica, 30)

•‘All men are fond of boasting even if they don’t admit it. They are convinced that they are good at everything. My boyfriend always gives me advice (even if I don’t ask him) and says ‘If I were you I’d …’ He is sure of his superiority and believes that I am incapable of doing the simplest things.’ (Susan, 21)

6.Read the quotations below. Choose any quotation and comment on it.

•‘Men and women belong to different species and commu-

nications between them is still in its infancy.’ (Bill Cosby)

•‘Women are never disarmed by compliments. Men always are. That is the difference between the sexes.’ (Oscar Wilde)

•‘What would men be without women? Scarce, sir, mighty scarce.’ (Mark Twain)

•‘There’s no evidence whatsoever that men are more rational than women. Both sexes seem to be equally irrational.’ (Albert Ellis)

•‘Man does not control his own fate. The women in his life do that for him.’ (Groucho Marx)

•‘All the reasonings of men are not worth one sentiment of women.’ (Voltaire)

•‘Guys are simple... women are not simple and they always assume that men must be just as complicated as they are, only way more mysterious. The whole point is guys are not thinking much. They are just what they appear to be. Tragically.’ (Dave Barry)

•‘Sometimes I wonder if men and women really suit each other. Perhaps they should live next door and just visit now and then.’ (Katharine Hepburn)

Imagine that a magazine has asked you to write an article about gender differences “How to bridge the gap between Martians and Venusians?” Remember that your article must attract the reader’s attention. Use interesting facts and true stories from life.

By Svetlana Yunyova

Светлана Юнёва, Губернский профессиональный колледж