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The ten-hour movement (also known as the “ten-hour petition”) was the most important advocacy carried out by the real-life Lowell Female Labor Reform Association (LFRA); in the narrative, the movement is personified by the character of Diana Goss. Historically, the LFRA fought for better pay, safer working conditions, and a reduction from a 13-hour day to a 10-hour one. As Diana accurately explains in the novel, the “ten-hour petition” was able to gather thousands of signatures—but tragically, even 10,000 signatures were not enough to convince the Massachusetts legislature to change the laws and protect workers.
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Ten-Hour Movement Term Timeline in Lyddie
The timeline below shows where the term Ten-Hour Movement appears in Lyddie. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 11
...leaves, she encourages Lyddie to come to a meeting on Independence Day of the “ ten-hour movement ,” but Lyddie refuses, not wanting to get in trouble.
(full context)
Chapter 13
...not align herself with the radicals. Lyddie distances herself from Diana, and when the “ ten-hour people ” start putting out a newspaper, Lyddie does her best never to read it. Sometimes,...
(full context)
Chapter 21
...exemplary. Lyddie swears that she never signed any petitions or got involved in the “ ten-hour business ,” and she asks to confront Mr. Marsden about what specifically he has charged.
(full context)
