65 pages • 2 hours read
Jennifer ChiaveriniMrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2013A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Chapters 5-7Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Chapter 5 Summary
Elizabeth receives George’s personal items shortly after his death. She grieves him, imagining his hands touching his possessions. Elizabeth is comforted by a letter of support from Mrs. Lincoln. Elizabeth briefly imagines an alternative life in which Emma and George meet, fall in love, and get married. She prevents herself from having any further similar thoughts, respecting the fact that George died a free man fighting for the freedom of others. As the months go by, Mrs. Lincoln continues to repair and redecorate the White House, wracking up debts and attempting to hide them from Mr. Lincoln. Eventually, Mr. Lincoln is alerted to Mrs. Lincoln’s lack of budgetary restraint, and Elizabeth observes the couple argue frequently. Mr. Lincoln stops discussing political issues with Mrs. Lincoln altogether when she discloses essential information from one of Mr. Lincoln’s upcoming speeches to a reporter.
Elizabeth remains faithful to Mrs. Lincoln, staying out of her marital troubles while providing support and comfort in any possible way. Her patrons occasionally accost her with requests for introductions to the first family. One of her patrons attempts to bribe Elizabeth, wanting to be Mrs. Lincoln’s chambermaid as a way to get close to Mr. Lincoln. Elizabeth dismisses her patron, articulating her loyalty to Mrs. Lincoln. She leaves insulted. Emma researches Elizabth’s patron, learning she is an actress who intended to enter the White House, record her observations, and publish a scandalous tell-all about the first family.
As the war progresses, many of the schools in Washington City close. Mrs. Lincoln opens a school at the White House, overseeing Tad and Willie Lincoln’s education alongside several of their friends. Mrs. Lincoln grows increasingly worried about her husband’s safety as threats to his life increase in frequency. Although Mr. Lincoln continues to guard his political work from Mrs. Lincoln, she expresses her opinions freely, disliking many cabinet members. She specifically opposes General Ulysses S. Grant, calling him a “butcher” and believing he undervalues the lives of Union soldiers.
Despite their grief and worry, Mrs. Lincoln and Elizabeth make the most of Christmas. They take comfort in their friendships. Mrs. Lincoln hosts several functions at the newly restyled White House, and several reporters write positively about her improvements to the estate. After the New Year celebrations, Mrs. Lincoln convinces Mr. Lincoln to abandon tradition and host fewer, larger receptions instead of smaller state dinners. She feels proud of her ability to influence the president once again. However, even though the larger receptions are less expensive than multiple state dinners, the Lincolns receive negative feedback from other public figures for hosting extravagant events during a war.
Shortly before Mrs. Lincoln hosts the first of a few larger balls, Willie Lincoln develops typhoid fever. Having lost her second son, Eddie, to “chronic consumption” (tuberculosis) several years prior, Mrs. Lincoln grows very anxious about Willie’s health. She nearly cancels the ball, but Mr. Lincoln convinces her to continue their plans after he summons the family’s doctor and asks Elizabeth to tend to Willie during the party. Willie’s condition declines over the following days, and the young boy eventually dies from his illness. Elizabeth loyally manages the Lincolns, caring for Tad (who is also ill, though less severely), comforting Mr. Lincoln, and sitting with an inconsolable Mrs. Lincoln.
Mrs. Lincoln’s emotional condition rapidly deteriorates as she struggles to work through her grief. Mr. Lincoln calls for a nurse to assist Elizabeth in caring for Mrs. Lincoln. At a loss about how to help Mrs. Lincoln, Mr. Lincoln reminds Mrs. Lincoln of a psychiatric hospital where he may send Mrs. Lincoln if she cannot control her grief. Elizabeth overhears this exchange and is shocked at Mr. Lincoln’s threat. However, Mrs. Lincoln begins to show signs of recovery, which are further enhanced when Robert Lincoln, the oldest son, insists on Mrs. Lincoln’s sister, Mrs. Edwards, visiting Mrs. Lincoln. Elizabeth remains close as Mrs. Lincoln comes to terms with her loss. The women debate God’s plan, both fearing they each lost the child whom they depended on to care for them in old age.
Chapter 6 Summary
The Civil War wages on as the Lincoln family adjusts to life without Willie. The Union celebrates a victory at Shiloh, Tennessee, although the battle sees the most casualties thus far in the war. Mr. Lincoln faces mounting pressure to officially emancipate enslaved people in both the North and South. Fearful that the border states between the North and South will join the Confederacy if he should make a proclamation, Mr. Lincoln hesitates to demand an end to slavery. Although this frustrates Elizabeth, she understands Mr. Lincoln wants to ensure a lasting end to slavery and must be mindful of his legal options. Union soldiers capture enslaved people from the South, transporting them to the North and labeling them “contraband” before insisting they work for the Union Army.
Frederick Douglass, Walker Lewis, and several other influential people of color speak directly to the Senate galley, urging for the emancipation of enslaved people in Washington City. A white politician, Henry Wilson, speaks highly of the free people of color in his district who contribute to his community. He also condemns the current “black code” that disallows people of color from entering public institutions (like schools) for which they must pay taxes. Still, a large number of politicians denounce a potential emancipation proclamation. Some fear that freeing enslaved people will create too much competition for already scarce jobs. They believe Washington City will become crowded with those fleeing southern plantations seeking freedom. People fear a humanitarian crisis as well as an increased spread of disease.
In April 1862, the Senate passes the emancipation bill of enslaved people in Washington City, with the House soon following suit. Mr. Lincoln patiently hears arguments from all politicians for several days before signing the bill into law. Elizabeth celebrates with her friends and community, though leaders urge people of color to show “quiet dignity.” Church leaders encourage the community to observe laws with the highest respect so that all who fought against their emancipation will regret their stance. Recognizing their privilege as the first free district in America, Elizabeth’s community resolves to push for the emancipation of the entire country.
Approached by Mrs. Ames, a reporter, Elizabeth hesitantly answers questions and provides details about her life story. Mrs. Ames expresses an interest in reporting on Elizabeth’s success as a dressmaker; she wants to contribute to an emerging trend of writing about the lives of formerly enslaved people. Elizabeth fears she provides too much personal information during the interview. At first, she dislikes the final published story, which portrays Elizabeth as sentimental and lonely. However, she realizes that Mrs. Ames hardly mentions Mrs. Lincoln, only in a favorable light, and preserves the article.
Chapter 7 Summary
During the summer of 1862, Mrs. Lincoln, Robert, and Tad retreat to the Lincolns’ summer home to escape an increasingly busy, disease-ridden Washington City. Elizabeth busies herself with work from the remaining upper-class ladies in her absence. While walking with Virginia Lewis, Elizabeth witnesses a festival for the benefit of injured Union soldiers. Elizabeth adopts this idea, creating a charity to benefit the people of color who recently settled in Washington City. With nowhere to live, no trade aside from farmwork, and no literacy skills, these people create camps for shelter while struggling to secure necessities. Elizabeth observes an unofficial ranking system within these camps; individuals with darker skin tones are considered lower-ranked than those with lighter complexions. Elizabeth finds this kind of prejudice abhorrent.
Elizabeth delivers a powerful speech during church, inspiring 40 people to assist her with relief efforts. They organize to provide shoes, clothes, and food to those in camps. Elizabeth serves as the organization’s president and volunteers to teach women how to sew and other valuable skills. Miss Harriet Jacobs, a woman with a similar background to Elizabeth, asks to tour the camps. Elizabeth guides her, introducing her to several families and explaining how the Union military hires workers from these camps to complete strenuous, challenging tasks for low pay. Many people dislike the rough, uncomfortable conditions and hard work. Several express a desire to return to the familiarity of their southern plantations.
Later, a friend reveals to Elizabeth that Harriet Jacobs is a successful author who writes under the pseudonym Linda Brent. Having read her work, Elizabeth feels honored to have met the author. Elizabeth recently began writing her own memories from her life as an enslaved person; she hoped to share her stories with George and stopped writing upon his death. Harriet Jacobs leads relief efforts for neighboring camps in Alexandria. Elizabeth eventually advises the people financially, and many can build successful lives in Washington City. Elizabeth realizes she needs to find external sources to fund the relief efforts and provide for the increasing population.
Meanwhile, the Union Army loses several vital battles and much ground in the war. Frustrated, Mr. Lincoln suggests that people of color consider colonizing in Africa or Central America, expressing the belief that people of different races will struggle to live equal lives after the war. This remark offends many abolitionists. Elizabeth’s faith in Mr. Lincoln is tested when he fails to declare an emancipation proclamation for the border states. Mr. Lincoln writes that his sole objective is to preserve the Union, and he will do so whether or not it ends slavery.
However, as 1862 enters autumn, Elizabeth reads an early draft of Mr. Lincoln’s emancipation proclamation for the entire Union. Elizabeth realizes that Mr. Lincoln delayed a declaration of freedom for the border states, seeing this move as unnecessary and potentially complicating his loftier goals of freeing the entire country and reuniting the North and the South.
Mrs. Lincoln asks Elizabeth to accompany her and Tad on a trip to New York, and Elizabeth uses this opportunity to fundraise for her relief efforts. Mrs. Lincoln supports Elizabeth’s work, pledging $200 to the Contraband Relief Association herself. They decide to travel to Boston to visit Robert at Harvard, and Elizabeth meets several more people interested in financing the relief program. Inspired by George’s belief that formerly enslaved people holding positions of power should fight for freedom, Elizabeth works to improve the conditions for those recently freed, believing her efforts to be God’s work.
Chapters 5-7 Analysis
Elizabeth admires Mr. Lincoln for his political action to end slavery and is moved by his affection for his family; simultaneously, Elizabeth recognizes that Mr. Lincoln isn’t perfect. Frustrated with Mr. Lincoln’s slow-moving progress, Elizabeth toils over his “ostensible reluctance to free the slaves” (88). Amidst heavy criticism, Elizabeth remains Mr. Lincoln’s most loyal supporter. She often compares him to the biblical Moses, referring to him as a “savior.” Still, Elizabeth recognizes that Mr. Lincoln is human and imperfect. By the novel’s close, she expresses firm admiration for the assassinated president; however, as the novel’s action builds, so does Elizabeth’s eagerness to see freedom for people of color. She grows impatient with Mr. Lincoln’s sluggish response and failure to fully embody his abolitionist colleagues’ principles.
Washington City during the Civil War matches the complexity of its characters. Although the capital city of the anti-slavery movement, Washington houses hordes of individuals supporting the Confederacy. Simultaneously, the town becomes a safe haven for enslaved people throughout the country. Elizabeth sometimes marches in the city streets celebrating progress, only to fear Confederate invasion months later. Elizabeth recognizes the unfair policies designed to keep people of color out of specific industries, even as the location becomes a safe haven for formerly enslaved people. Although no battles take place in the city, Elizabeth often comments on the smell of death and infected wounds that lingers in the air as the streets of Washington transform into a hospital. Despite an often chaotic setting, Elizabeth never fails to consider Washington City her home; similarly, Elizabeth’s loyalty to the Lincolns never falters.
By supporting each other after losing their sons, Elizabeth and Mrs. Lincoln demonstrate camaraderie, much like soldiers on the battlefield. Shortly after Willie passes away, Elizabeth observes Mrs. Lincoln as “...inconsolable, shattered by loss, unable to rise from her bed even to care for Tad, who was still struggling to recover from his illness [...] she collapsed in paroxysms of grief, shrieking and wailing, frightening Tad” (82). Elizabeth again proves her loyalty to the Lincolns, spending weeks away from her business to care for Mrs. Lincoln. As one of the few people who impact Mrs. Lincoln’s grief, Elizabeth prevents Mrs. Lincoln from experiencing a complete loss of her mental abilities. Seeing Mrs. Lincoln grieve the loss of her son so soon after George’s death must have been emotionally challenging for Elizabeth. Moreover, Elizabeth enjoyed a close relationship with the young boy herself. She sets aside her sadness, prioritizing Mrs. Lincoln’s mental health. Mrs. Lincoln sends Elizabeth a comforting letter after George’s death, which Elizabeth finds meaningful. However, the difference in how the women respond to each other’s grief illustrates an imbalance within their friendship. Mrs. Lincoln possesses a grandiose opinion of herself as Elizabeth’s (and most everyone else’s) superior.
Moreover, Elizabeth’s friendships with Virginia Lewis and Emma Stevens contrast Elizabeth’s close bond with Mrs. Lincoln, introducing the Complexities in Friendship Across Racial and Social Divides. Mrs. Lincoln often expresses love and affection for Elizabeth, but only as long as Elizabeth proves helpful and dutiful to the first family. In contrast, Elizabeth’s other friends “...were so gracious and easy that it wasn’t until later that Elizabeth realized that they were each taking care to amuse and divert her, knowing that her first Christmas without her son was bound to be mournful” (73). Emma and Virginia show Elizabeth respect, kindness, and emotional support without expecting anything from her in return. They want to see Elizabeth happy, comfortable, and successful because they care for her. In contrast, Mrs. Lincoln holds herself to a higher social standing than Elizabeth, adding a transactional nature to their friendship. Elizabeth is welcome at the White House and highly regarded as long as she is supportive and valuable to the first family.
