New-York tribune., 1902-01-20
GOETHE'S IDEAL OF EDUCATION
DIVERSITY AND VERSATILITY ARE DEsIR-
ABLE CHARACTERISTIC FOR WOMEN
-"EDUCATE THE GIRLS TO
BE MOTHERS"
BE MOTHERS"

"Apropos of the present day discussion regarding
our complex social conditions and particularly the
change in woman's industrial and intellectual
status. of which our ears are full noted edu-
Gator commented the other day, what that wisest
observer of his time, Goethe, says is well worth
consideration A century ago Goethe called at
tenton to the differences in vocation the part
of the sexes founded physical peculiarities and
the needs society. He then pointed the
general necessity for training men to become eX-
perts in their several specialties, and accustoming
them to work in large companies.
Over against this Goethe declared the woman.
centre OF the family. should have precisely the op-
posite training for her life work, for she should
be educated to be versatile. quick to turn
from occupation TO another. Diversity and
versatility the characteristics respectively OF
the labor and the laborer in the family; engaged
this hour In preparing the breakfast and washing
the dishes the next in making the beds and sweep
ing the rooms; the next in cleansing and mending
the clothing; the next in knitting or weaving; the
next and at intervals during the whole day at
tending to the myriad wants of childhood; the
labor within the family does not admit OF division
of labor although 1t is diversified and in need OF
such division. The woman prepared FOR the life OF
the family, therefore needs an education which
gives versatility, while the man needs train
ing which fits him for concentration upon one
thing.
Nowadays" continued the educator-hersef one
Of the wise women of this generaton-"concentra-
ton must necessarily come in as a factor IN
ters Yet the main points in Goethes homely
picture for mankind at large are sound and sug-
eestiye He SAYS: The male should wear a uni
form from childhood upward. For men have to ac-
custom themselves to work together: to lose them
selves among their equals: to obey in masses and
10 work on a large scale. Every kind Of uniform
generates a military habit of thought and smart,
straightforward carriage. All boys are born SOL
diers whatever you do with them. But woman
should go about in every variety Of dress each fol-
lowing her own style and her own ltkings that each
may learn TO feel what sits we'll upon her and be-
comes her; and for a more weighty reason as we'll
because it is appointed for her to stand alone all
her life and 10 work alone. Even the most
empty headed woman is in the same case. Each
one of them excludes all others. 1t is her nature
everything which the entire has to do In
how few words the whole business OF education
might be summed up II people had ears TO near
concludes Goethe. Educate the boys be servants
and the girls to be mothers, ana everything is as II
should be-
ITO interpret this summary" in turn concluded
the educator, "one must call to mind the state
ment made in Wilhelm MeiSter, To serve Is neces-
sary In all departments of life, and limit ones
self to a special occupation is desirable For what
ever the uncultured person does is trade Tor me-
NAL occupaton) but TO the person of some culture;
whatever he does is fine art; and the person OF
highest culture, in whatever he does, the like
ness OF everything that is done rightly 1t is the
function of the highest culture to give one an IN
deavor the total result of civilization. To be
servants means to subordinate and limit them
selves to specially prescribed occupations; to be
mothers would mean to cultivate that provident
stantly required in the endless routine of duties in
the family.