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Caricature of Frances "Fanny" Wright, British-born activist, exponent of female suffrage, and outspoken critic of slavery. The title's reference to Wright as a "gabbler" probably alludes to her sensational American lecture tour of 1829. Wright wears a black dress and long white scarf, and has the head of a goose. She stands reading from a book and gesturing, before a speaker's table with candles, pitcher, glass, and books. Behind her stands a young man, holding her bonnet and looking on. Mrs. Kemble's costume and the scene itself -- with its table, water, candles, and acolyte-like attendant -- seems intended to suggest an underlying parallel with liturgical rites. |
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