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.