The Official Gilded Age Podcast S1 Ep.5: “Charity Has Two Functions” with Louisa Jacobson and Thomas Cocquerel
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Feb 22, 2022 Louisa Jacobson and Thomas Cocquerel join the hosts to discuss the roles of men and women during the Gilded Age, the significance of domestic helpers, the dynamics of power and society, and the development of their characters' romantic relationship on the show.
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Servant Hierarchy and Status
- Hosts Alicia Malone and Tom Meyers discuss the staffing of Gilded Age homes.
- Having many servants was a status symbol, with English butlers being particularly prized.
Specialized Servant Roles
- Butlers managed meals, ensured perfect dining etiquette, and prevented social faux pas.
- Housekeepers oversaw maids, while cooks, ladies' maids, valets, and footmen had specific duties.
Armstrong's Dual Life
- Armstrong, a lady's maid, cares for her sick mother in a tenement on her days off.
- This highlights the stark contrast between the wealthy and the poor during the Gilded Age.