Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Herland, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Womanhood and Femininity
Gender Roles and Relationships
Community
Motherhood and Reproductive Control
Summary
Analysis
It takes Van a long time to begin to understand Herlandian religion. It is apparent to him that motherhood is considered sacred, but it is only after he falls in love with Ellador that he takes an active interest in her religion. Ellador asks Van to explain his religion (Christianity), so he explains the concept of a “Dominant Power” and universal brotherhood. This pleases Ellador, as does the concept of the Virgin Mary giving birth, but she is confused by Van’s account of the devil and Hell. In fact, Ellador runs to a temple for comfort after Van tells her that some people believe unbaptized babies go to Hell. To Van, this highlights just how foreign negative ideas like Hell and the devil are to the women in Herland.
This is another example of how seriously Herlandians take motherhood, and it also highlights their struggle to understand why other cultures don’t view it the same way. If Ellador were to accept the idea that unbaptized babies can go to Hell (in other words, be punished), then it would go against everything she knows and feels in her own heart as part of her religion, which considers motherhood and the relationship between mother and child sacred. From her perspective, the belief that babies might be punished completely violates human nature and makes Christianity’s God seem more like a villain than a positive force.
Themes
Ellador explains that Herlandians believe in a “Mother Spirit” that is essentially a magnified version of their own motherhood. Because of this, the women feel as if they are always being supported by this spirit. Furthermore, as Ellador also explains, they do not believe in an eternal punishment or have a Herlandian equivalent of Christianity’s Hell; in fact, they do not believe the Mother Spirit punishes anyone, but instead tries to help them be better. The Mother Spirit is also considered an “Indwelling Spirit” rather than an actual being (Ellador is mildly puzzled by the idea that Christianity’s God wears clothes and is pictured as a person). Ellador is also confused by the idea that Christians hold on to such ancient ideas and rules while also changing and progressing in almost every other aspect of their lives.
Herlandian religion is closely tied to motherhood and giving birth, so the emphasis on the importance of progress and renewal seems particularly fitting. Herland undergoes a constant pattern of renewal or a sort of rebirth—they frequently change their practices and beliefs to improve their society. Each generation enters a newer, better world than the one that preceded it. This is why Ellador is so confused about the lack of progress or change in Christianity.
Themes
Ellador explains that Herlandian religion centers on a “Loving Power” and that qualities such as patience and courtesy are part of their basic code of conduct. While they maintain a connection to this Loving Power, they do not engage in daily rituals for worship, although there are some national celebrations. Furthermore, they consider progress, dedication to their children, care of their land, and health part of their religion. Some women work in the temples to provide help and advice to those who seek comfort or have questions. After hearing this, Van excitedly praises the religion for being so practical and comforting. However, he is taken aback to learn that Herlandians don’t believe in eternal life after death. Ellador is puzzled by this idea and says she thinks it’s foolish. When Van explains Heaven and the peace found there, she tells him Herlandians want the same, but for their earthly world.
Religion in Herland is not just a personal, internal belief, but also an outward practice. They honor their Mother Spirit by embodying certain values that promote kindness and equality. This in turn promotes unity in Herlandian society. Essentially, the qualities Herlandian religion promotes are not entirely different from Christianity; the difference is in how the two religions are practiced, as seen in how different America—which was widely considered a Christian nation in the 20th century but was nonetheless fraught with poverty and conflict—is from Herland.
Themes
Jeff, Van, and Terry are unwilling to share details about the evils of life outside of Herland with Celis, Alima, and Ellador, even though the men accept them as a necessary part of their culture. Instead, they press the subject of marriage with the women. The men worry about how little they can give the women, but Terry insists that they can give Celis, Alima, and Ellador their surnames. Although the women are willing to do this to please the men, they question the reason for it. Terry tells Alima that it will show everyone that she’s his wife. Alima asks Terry what a wife is, and he explains that “A wife is the woman who belongs to a man,” prompting Jeff to eagerly explain that husbands also belong to their wives. The group discusses the practice of giving women new surnames after their marriage, which Alima says sounds unpleasant.
Jeff, Van, and Terry feel as if they as men must give Celis, Alima, and Ellador something to mark their marriage. However, the thing they want to give them is a surname, which actually indicates that the women will have given themselves to the men. This is shown by Terry’s statement that a wife takes her husband’s name to indicate that she is a wife and therefore “belongs” to someone. Although Jeff tries to explain that husbands belong to wives, as well, it is notable that only the wife is expected to take someone else’s name as a sign that they belong to someone else.
Themes
Literary Devices
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Celis tells the men that they are loved just for themselves, without having to give anything for it. Shortly thereafter, the three have a large triple wedding. The entire country is excited to take this new step and everyone talks about the glories of fatherhood. Terry balks at this and says the women think of nothing but motherhood, that the men will have to “teach ‘em!” Jeff and Van worry about Terry’s intentions, especially because of how strong-willed Alima is. Terry, however, tells them not to interfere with his marriage. On the day of their wedding, Somel shares her excitement with Van, telling him that the entire country views the wedding as an event that officially links them with the rest of the world.
The entire country celebrates the three marriages because, to their thinking, the nation of Herland is linking itself to the rest of the world instead of just linking Celis to Jeff, Alima to Terry, and Ellador to Van. Terry’s excitement, however, is rooted in his belief that marriage will justify whatever means he uses to “teach” Alima. By this he means to make her submissive and conform to the traditional feminine role of wife.
Themes
