The legend that Dolley Madison saved a painting of George Washington from a burning White House not only allowed the First Lady to be realized as courageous and patriotic - but also capable of saving a symbol of America. During the war of 1812, when the British burned the White House in retaliation for the Americans burning Toronto - Mrs. Madison decided that the most crucial object in the White House was the statue of America's first president. In all the panic, she was somehow able (presumably with help) to retrieve an 8-foot painting that was bolted into the wall. However - this was good news for the American people because it sent a message that the White House was willing to risk their lives for the sanctity of the nation.
And although the painting was just a painting, George Washington has long represented for Americans the values of the American revolution - liberty, democracy, and patriotism. It was all in some way a metaphor for the war with the British. When America is in a state of catastrophe, American leaders will still find a way to hold on to their core values. They would never allow a portrait of the founder of the country to be confiscated by the British.
However, it is still widely disputed whether or not she actually rescued the painting. In a letter to a friend, Madison wrote that because the painting was so difficult to unhinge, she had ordered the frame broken and rather saved the painting itself. Strangely, there are no written records of her doing this other than the letter - including any witnesses or accounts from the people that actually broke the frame. Whether or not she actually saved the painting, Dolley Madison fulfilled the American values of sacrificing everything for her country.
https://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/artwork/dolley-madison-comes-to-the-rescue/
I think it is very interesting that she thought it so important to save this painting of our First president. It really shows how much she and other women believed in the revolution and its ideals even when they themselves weren't always granted the rights that the revolution provided to others.
ReplyDeleteThis story comes back to the discussion we had early on in the year when we talked about George Washingtons significance as an idol. I feel the actual truth of this story is not as important as its idealizing of George Washington. It is stories like these that help unify nations. Another example of a leader being idealized to unify the nation is Stalin's cult of personality.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really interesting post and I enjoy that you wrapped up all the points you made at the end and brought everything back to the most important aspect. Even if she hadn't actually saved that painting the myth that she created and the legend helped to further strengthen the values and ideals of America.
ReplyDeleteI really like the simplicity of the story and how it represents the American ideals of sacrificing for your country and not being phased by attacks, but staying strong and protecting values. I remember hearing this story as a kid in books I read, and I love how you brought it back in an informative way that lets me look at it again from an older perspective.
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