A Girl Called Samson

The motif of clothing advances The Struggle for Gender Equality and Personal Freedom. Samson’s society has rigid expectations about men and women’s attire, and Samson boldly crosses these boundaries in her pursuit of the inalienable rights promised in the Declaration of Independence. Her first time wearing clothing designed for men is such an empowering and liberating experience for her that she is “convinced [that breeches] are magic” (17). In actuality, the trousers do not grant any special or supernatural benefit; they simply remove the gender-specific encumbrances that would otherwise prevent Samson from racing on an even playing field with boys.

As an adult, Samson experiences a similar sense of joy and liberation when she dons her colonial uniform, and upon wearing the tricorn hat, she must “bite back [her] grin as the green plume caressed [her] cheek [....] [She] adored it” (106). In Samson’s eyes, this uniform is even more magical than the breeches she wore as a child because it allows her to transform into Robert Shurtliff and seize opportunities that are normally reserved for men. The many valiant deeds that Samson performs while wearing her colonial uniform—including serving in the decisive Battle of Yorktown and saving General Paterson’s life—contribute to the struggle for gender equality by demonstrating women’s true capabilities.

Another key appearance of the motif of clothing can be found in the design of Samson’s wedding dress, for rather than being the traditional white, “[t]he dress … [is] a brilliant colonial blue, not unlike the blue of [her] uniform. It even had gold buttons marching in parallel rows down the front, all the way to the ground” (343). The dress therefore combines key elements of her military uniform with those of traditional women’s clothing, reflecting her monumental transition between societal roles and eras in her life.

Near the end of the novel, Samson creates a replica of her uniform and wears it on her speaking tour. The replica is designed to fit her body rather than to obscure it, and this detail reflects the fact that she has gone from hiding her identity as a woman to proudly proclaiming her story on stages across the nation. The changes in the ensemble’s cut illustrate Samson’s evolving comfort with her womanhood and her growth into an outspoken advocate for gender equality. Harmon uses Samson’s clothing to emphasize the struggle for equality and freedom.